The Smash in Padel
The
smash in padel is one of the shots that can cause the most effects, negative or positive, during a match. If the smash helps you win the point, the sensations will be positive and your self-confidence will be palpable in your game. Below, we will tell you everything you need to know about this shot, which you should definitely add to your repertoire of skills.
How and when to hit a smash in padel?
One of the main questions is when a player should attempt to
hit a smash. When a player does not have the necessary knowledge, it is very common for them to try to hit a smash at all times, but it is important to know that there are
specific moments when it should be performed.
This shot should only be executed when the player is
near the net. In addition, the ball must be
slightly in front of the player, without the need for the player to move back to reach it. This is because the player needs to be
comfortable and ready to hit with power. The further you are from the net, the more difficult it will be to execute a correct smash. This could be an exception for some World Padel Tour players, for example,
Juan Lebrón, who has been seen hitting a smash while standing at the back of the court.
How to hit a flat smash?
The flat smash is the most
elemental, the one players should learn first. As its name indicates, this smash is flat and does not aim to give any effect to the ball, although this does not diminish its offensive nature. It remains a very
attacking shot, with every intention of finishing a point.
To execute a flat smash, it is important to hit the ball at the
highest point possible. In addition, the ball must be
in front of the player. The player must be positioned almost sideways,
profiled, to be able to attack the ball with full force. It is important that the smash is completely flat, that the
face of the racket looks directly at the ball and forward. Furthermore, the arm movement must be very
fast, only seeking for the ball to cross quickly, without looking for any kind of bounce strategy.
Some professional players also recommend that flat smashes should
always be performed
parallel, meaning to direct the ball towards the player's front, and not cross-court. This is recommended because hitting a parallel flat smash makes it easier to bring the ball back.
How to hit a topspin smash?
With a topspin smash, the aim is for the ball to have a
greater bounce after hitting the ground, which is why it is called topspin, because the ball
rises. Generally, this shot is used for the ball to
leave the court over the three-meter wall; in fact, many call this shot an
X3 smash.
Unlike the flat smash, the topspin smash allows the ball to be
slightly behind the body to execute the shot; it is not necessary for the ball to be in front of the player. However, it is also recommended to make contact at the
highest point.
There is a very big difference with the flat smash. In the topspin smash, the aim is to
give spin to the ball, so the racket hits the ball differently. Contact is made on the
upper part of the ball, performing a
wrist movement to make the ball
spin forward. In this case, the follow-through of this shot is not forward, but rather the arm opens and finishes laterally. This way, the ball will bounce higher after hitting the back wall.
A good mindset is key
Many times, the mind is stronger than the body. Although we don't know if this is also the case here, we can say that mindset is also key to hitting a good smash. In fact, in a shot of this type, where forcefulness is sought,
confidence is an essential factor.
Confidence is a characteristic linked to
self-belief, which must be worked on constantly. That self-confidence and belief in one's own abilities will allow one to execute the shot with more
certainty. However, to develop this conviction, practice is important; shots will not come out perfectly magically.
Lamperti teaches us how to execute a good smash
On the other hand, technique may be one of the most important aspects. One of the keys to executing a perfect smash and imparting more power to the ball is to hit the ball at the highest point.
When we see a
professional player hit it, it seems easy to us, but it actually involves extremely important
technical work. Lamperti is one of the clearest examples of how a correct smash should be executed. Therefore, we highly recommend watching the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h186rExcy4c
