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  2. Why does my “ball feeling” fluctuate so much in to...
💡 Tactics and Technique 💡

Why does my “ball feeling” fluctuate so much in tournaments?

412 commentsu/StillMiserable84253w ago
Hey everyone, I’ve been playing padel for about a year now and currently play around 3–5 times per week. I feel like I’m improving quite quickly overall, but there’s one thing I’m really struggling to understand. Every few tournaments — maybe every 3rd or 4th one — I seem to have a day where I just cannot get into my game at all. Everything feels insecure and unstable. I make completely unnecessary mistakes, even on simple balls. I don’t actually have shaky hands, but it almost feels like I do. A good example is my forehand from defense. On normal days, I’d say this is one of my strengths. I feel very comfortable playing chiquitas, down-the-line shots past the left-side opponent, or cross-court balls into the corner/fence. Usually, I feel very safe with those shots. But on these bad days, even the easiest balls — the ones I just want to play safely through the middle with no risk — sometimes go straight into the net or even hit the back glass. I understand that not every day can feel the same, but the difference feels extreme. It’s not just “a bit off” — it feels like I suddenly lose my touch and confidence completely. Has anyone else experienced this? How can ball feeling fluctuate so much from one day to another? And more importantly: are there any practical methods, routines, mental tricks, or warm-up approaches to get this under better control during matches or tournaments? Would really appreciate any advice from players who have dealt with this before. Thanks!
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Comments (12)

u/eggplantpot3w ago
Normally happens to me when I've had a bad night's sleep the night before, which unforunately it's often.
8
u/Kommanderson13w ago
Same. I always tend to sleep poorly before a tournament due to anxiety. Played one yesterday and felt horrible throughout. First game was outside in the heat and it drained every bit of what little energy I had.
2
u/Exawni3w ago
It also happens to me. Different court, glass tension, more or less sand on the court, other kind of balls, different temperature l. It all influence the way the ball bouncing and therefor the timing to hit the balls is different. If I sleep bad or have a really bussy day that my focus is lower, this adds up. Even decisionmaking is worse. Make sure you sleep well and have a proper warmup before the game starts. Get used to the court en the conditions. Starting cold, unless it is your homecourt is a risk.
6
u/ychamel3w ago
Another aspect other than the tension of the tournament, is the balls are sometimes different to what you're use to. If they're using speed balls which are lighter and bouncier, it becomes harder to control if you're use to the normal balls, and they favor playing flat shots with slight spin instead of the usual balls that can handle a good amount of spin into it.
2
u/HairyCallahan3w ago
What people (myself included) not always take into consideration is the level of the opponent. Some opponents are deceptively strong. They look like the average opponent, but all shots are 20% deeper and faster. You just have a little less time and space and it makes your game feel 'off'. Obviously sometimes you just have one of those days, but it general I think it's the opponent.
2
u/Affectionate_Rub24873w ago
I have this happen to me occasionally as well. How I slept the night before has a huge impact on the level of focus and that directly impacts the quality of my game, shots and decicion making
2
u/Percevaul3w ago
Sometimes it's just not our day... but given you've only been playing for a year, I'd say this sounds like tournament tension. Competitive tension is natural and experience will help you overcome it and adjust quicker.
1
u/DigEnvironmental89513w ago
Warm up against a wall (at home or courts) before a match for 30 min to get your hand eye and body warmed up, even if just quick volleys Using only proper Technique always fixes a lot bad shots even on bad days
1
u/Kommanderson13w ago
Happens to me as well. As others have said, a lot depends on how well rested you are, and if the court/playing conditions are different from what you’re accustomed to.
1
u/cmc_9203w ago
Yes happens to me. I'll have an amazing game where I'm playing so well on autopilot, then the next time it feels like I have to concentrate so hard just to get a forehand ground stroke in. As others have said, environmental factors play a part. Cold/warm courts, the balls, etc. but as well how I you slept the night before, your body fatigue etc. The only thing I have been able to do that helps is try realise quickly in a game that I'm having one of those days, and go back to basic. Focus on slowing down and getting my shots in, having an active body (staying low and moving quickly into position) and avoiding the higher risk shots. Often by doing this after a few games into a set I'm already playing better. Not quite to my usual level, but making less mistakes. It doesn't always work though sometimes you just have a bad day.
1
u/MundaneRecording52933w ago
As an ex junior athlete in tennis it happened to me a lot, it happened because I wasn’t mentally ready and it led to bad sleep and recovery. To cope with my coach always prepared me with friendly matches against athletes above my age so I get used to get bullied in the game.
1