Why is the racket much more vertical on backhand shots off the glass in padel, while on forehand shots it’s usually more horizontal/parallel to the ground?
I noticed that on backhand rebounds players often keep the racket almost upright, but on forehand rebounds the racket path and face seem flatter and more horizontal.
Especially on the lower rebound.
Thanks.
Sailor
Are you talking about ground strokes? I think it’s just one of the standard preparation that fools you. You don’t hit with the racket vertical.
Look at the slow motion at the end of this short https://youtube.com/shorts/BYQB-b26K6o?is=-wAEkkImE3qbHPrv
You play the backhand with smaller and weaker muscles, so naturally use a larger preparation that loops from vertical to compensate. Try throwing a ball with the backhand and forehand motions and it will become very obvious immediately.
It's natural but not necessarily optimal every time. It's the last thing I would look to correct in an amateur player unless it's very excessive though.
Preparation is vertical, not the shot, yes. Where as on the forehand side it is rarely so.
https://preview.redd.it/iaeyl7epgf3h1.jpeg?width=1059&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=189662e80283a5df24a9aaa8085f2507e8edcae5
The pros do this so their opponents can’t read if it’s a lob or a fast ball. At a non-pro level, you should prepare the shot you are going to do. This means not vertical.
But I saw that with this preperation I am getting the balls back easier with the backhand.
As on FH I stay more horizontal.
Maybe its due to the lack of rotation on the backhand side, as you can not turn so much. So with this vertical allignment, it comes more power.
