💡 Tactics and Technique 💡

Struggling to finish points at the net (intermediate level)

1415 commentsu/singh2465d ago

What I’ve noticed in my padel journey so far is that it’s surprisingly difficult to finish points from the net at an intermediate level (I play LTA Grade 4–5 tournaments). Smashes and easy put-aways are not so common unless the lob is short. I come from a county tennis background, so I’ve got decent racket skills, but I’m finding that opponents who don’t necessarily look that strong just keep getting everything back from the back of the court. Eventually they throw up a decent lob, reset the point, and we go again. I suspect I’m still carrying too much of a tennis mentality, trying to force winners off the volley rather than building the point. What strategies are people using to actually *finish* points from the net at this level? A couple of things I’m currently trying: * Softer volleys into the middle * Playing to the same player / moving them around Would be good to hear what’s working for others, especially at a similar level.

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Comments (15)

u/TheFailSnail5d ago

This is perfectly normal padel behavior. At intermediate level people tend to make more mistakes than at pro level (duh), and at the net you tend to make less mistakes, so you win more points by being at the net. Doesn't mean you win point because you hit winners, just that you are less likely to make mistakes while at the net.

u/TimberNoggins5d ago

Play more sideways rather than hard at the back glass. I had a game last week where both opponents’ tactic was to stay back and smashing/vibora wasn’t working. Started playing slower with chiquitas and drop shots and then some smashes/rulos to the fence and we got the win. Chiquita to the middle to draw them in and then volley to the side when they were still out of position

u/mercynuts5d ago

If you get the chance then directing the ball to the wire is a good change up

u/dandaka5d ago

Your goal is to keep them at the back, increase the pressure, move around the court, focus on a single opponent, exploit their weaknesses. Doing that consistently will earn you way more points than finishers. For a finisher, you are good with - sending a difficult (low) ball to a open space - sending fast to their feet - fast smash All these are quite easy to learn and very effective

u/Ok-Physics47255d ago

In my experience playing at around 3.0 in Playtomic, I could say that what worked for me is keeping the pressure up and the volleys low and their bounce even lower. The more pressure you build up the more they’re bound to make mistakes from that increased pressure. Either an error while defending, or an easy return that you can finish. It really took a while for me to understand that just because i’m at the net doesn’t mean I need to finish every single ball that comes to me. Learning to be patient and strategic with placement has done me wonders in improving my game.

u/iksportnietiederedag5d ago

> just because i’m at the net doesn’t mean I need to finish every single ball I think this is a key insight. It's about weighing risks. Depending on the score and how confident you are, you should only finish on easy balls. The key is to keep consistent, build up the point and accept it when they have a good lob.

u/Ok-Physics47255d ago

Agreed!👍🏽

u/Acrobatic-Ant-98975d ago

Play softer volleys, as you said, or volleys with a slice to keep the ball low off the glass. When you or your partner hit a volley that you know is going to be cutting and/or low, inch toward the net to try and finish the point with a chancletazo or an angled shot to the fence. There is always the risk by getting closer to the net you'll be lobbed, but you need to take advantage of the fact that you've hit a solid, sliced low volley to try and end the point. Also focus on maintaining the net without allowing a counter attack. If they hit a decent but not great lob, maintain the net with a bandeja that does not rebound high off the glass, or with an angled shot to the wall that is harder for them to judge. Don't let them turn a decent lob into a counter-attack. You want to put the pressure on them by making them think they have to hit a great lob to get the net or a counter-attacking opportunity.

u/hmm_n_hmph4d ago

A couple of thoughts that I think particularly relate to tennis background- do you volley at gaps thinking of where the first bounce will land rather than the second? This can mean that the glass actually pushes shots closer to the opponent than it seems. (I’m planning to sometimes hit more directly at the opponent so that it bounces away for this reason). Similarly, if you volley too deep trying to hit past someone, it will most likely give your opponent a nice ball to lob from, if they use the glass. They just take a step forward and get a rising ball, perhaps you do that? Another thing is that when your volley has someone in trouble and scrambling, lots of people stay put (admiring their shot rather than closing the net for an easy pop out). This means they end up playing a meh volley next from the second post instead of ending the point.

u/va-va-voom-143d ago

Slow the game down, use more slice, hit flat and hard only when you know you are going to finish the point. Focusing on one player is a good tactic, keep on them for at least 5 shots in a row before switching it up.

u/AltruisticArachnid232d ago

I have the same struggle i cannot finish at the net well So I try play softer into the middle and keep my volleys deep to set the poor return Directing into the cage and side glass also really helps but getting that right is difficult too

u/dmackerman4d ago

You’re right on about moving them around. Volleys at the intermediate level are not usually strong/low enough to win points…I know mine aren’t. You have to play the placement game and move your opponents around so angles open up. Easier said than done.

u/LuchoAntunez4d ago

You don't need to finish points like pros. Just learn your rivals weaknesses, most of the time they suck at backhand, so you can try to volley there, move them, make your volleys low so they can't make an easy lob. Try to read the lob so you go back fast and counterattack. You can try to go for the feet. Smashes aren't common in amateur playing and also, amateur smashes are mostly crap, so you don't need them

u/Greg199314d ago

Easy smash away balls are not that common is true. If you only depend on your opponent giving you that shot without being forced. You get those shots by forcing their hand, e.g. you're at the net and give a low slow ball ( bit of backspin) that bounces behind the line. It will come off low off the glass which, most of the time, either gives a point or an easy ball back which you can attack. If you, consciously, give such a ball and in turn, take a step towards the net. You can attack the ball by either tapping it out or just slapping it. Coincidentally, I had a lesson about this yesterday so what I just typed was a summery (example situation) from my padel coach.

u/Top_Paint74424d ago

x4! \-edit- and dropvolley.