First, OP, I want to say I like your enthusiasm and sincere question on this.
That said, don't take this the wrong way (below is meant w/ care; I don't know anything about you, your experience level, etc.), but I would say there are several points in your post and questions I have for you that have me question the premise of your question and approach:
1. The bandeja is such a critical shot (and its cousin, the víbora, is as well). It is also a very common shot, such that you want to be consistent at this - you mention yours is not at that level. It will win you way more points (and be more often available) at your level than a kicksmash will, especially a deep kicksmash - be it from hitting a winner or, more likely, an opponent (un)forced error. Also useful because similar to a winter smash in technique.
2. How is your flat smash? That will also win you a lot more points, particularly if you can hit it consistently from before second post.
3. You don't mention the rulo here - how is your rulo? Would recommend getting good at this shot before focusing on the kicksmash (it is the same motion and has similar points to (1)).
4. You mention some roughness w/ your elbow. While developing a kicksmash itself won't necessarily worsen that by itself, I would check how your general technique is first, as the kicksmash is a more technical shot.
5. Do you have prior racket experience w/ similar overheads (e.g. tennis, badminton, beach tennis)?
6. Are you a left-sided player or lefty right-sided player? (if no to both of these, there are better ways to spend your time first)
Now, some thoughts on the kicksmash:
- If the answer to (5) is no, keep in mind that it could take quite a bit of time to develop a feel for the kicksmash or just that overhead in general - it's a highly technical shot. You can do in parallel to e.g. developing your bandeja, but I'd recommend giving some more practice to the latter instead, given finite training hours.
- A kicksmash can be hit from a variety of places in the court. But it's also a high-risk, medium-high-reward shot - if you don't aim properly to get it out or bring it back, the opponent will likely punish you because the ball will float up compared to a faster flat smash (caveat: I don't know your level). Hitting it from the left side is easier than the drive side because it you have more lateral room for ball to kick out (opposite applies if you're a lefty). Usually around second post is sufficient, and in line w/ previous sentence, easier to get under it properly moving forward (laterally) than moving backward.
- Hitting from further back in the court is much more difficult, and you need to have great kick technique - this can take some time, and again - higher-risk, higher-reward (it's a low % shot), so there are many (usually better) options otherwise like a good bajada or lob. Recommend building up from more shallow in the court first, as you can even e.g. do a x3 w/ a flat smash alone from both sides from second post (assuming you're average height and ok flat smash technique).
- "A new arsenal of tools to win the point" - maybe? But I think you're overestimating this and would look at this differently. How do you plan to win the point w/ this? What are the risks? Are there better options, especially as an amateur?
- For a kick-smash, you also need to be in tune w/ the conditions and altitude - the ball quality, ball type, humidity, wind, temperature, altitude. You could have the greatest kick-smash in the world, and yet conditions can still conspire against you, back of court or not.
- Really try different progressions on the shot first to build it up slowly and put it all together. Just generally trying it from "just" mimicking the pros is just asking for injury and frustration, IMHO.
- Also, when you practice: limit your volume and start w/ a lesson if you can. Take it slowly. Doing too much here in a short period of time - and it can be tempting, given it's a hard shot, and the result is very satisfying - is asking for trouble (injury and frustration). And warm up first - can't stress this enough.
- If you don't have a good rulo right now, I strongly recommend getting that down first. Will not only win you a lot more points from consistency and potential winners in themselves, but also will prep you more for the kick motion.
- Pádel - especially as you get to higher amateur levels where a kicksmash can be more helpful (but again, still never required) - is a very tactical game. Men's pro padel of often "find key opportunity to smash to finish the point" is a completely different sport. So in general, while you can have an aggressive play style, if you're looking to smash to finish the point (which your post kinda implies), remember there are many, many other ways (and often involves your opponent making a mistake).
All that said, if you want to learn more, Otro Nivel Padel, zitounpadel, and others are great resources for it. Racquet Flex and other tennis channels (for kick serves) are similarly great (though not entirely the same).
I say all of this as someone who has built up a deep kicksmash w/o a prior racket sports background - it has taken over a year, w/ a couple of dumb injuries and several lessons and tweaks along the way. It's a sexy shot, no doubt, but IME, patience, build-up, ensuring primary focus on other more common shots, and expectation setting are critical here.
There's a reason that a popular meme/joke in padel coaching circles is that people immediately want to learn a x3 in their lesson (while their bandeja isn't class).
Great advice right here. In terms of the relative value based on the frequency of shot usage, bandeja > vibora (many coaches are combining these) > rulo > kick smash. Even more so considering that you have a flat smash option. Whilst I prefer watching the men's tour matches, I watch the ladies games to help guide my game and this is what I see there.
Thank you. This was quite helpful.
