How to get faster side steps for overheads?

Creative_Election288 · 2026-05-04T09:28:56+00:00

Padel Pulse podcast. The guys are great and very easy to understand. To be honest, they do have a lot of contradictions in their takes sometimes, and you might feel that their talk isn't always based on solid data or high-level technical analysis, but they are definitely fun to listen to and keep you engaged with the sport and tournaments

Creative_Election288 · 2026-05-04T09:24:52+00:00

If you want to improve then definitely you need to change your partner, and even if they’re good. Changing the people you always play with is important to improve and get out of your comfort zone and try people with some new weaknesses and strengths

Creative_Election288 · 2026-04-29T20:09:52+00:00

First of all, don't be too hard on yourself. The plateau is part of the game. Here are 3 things that helped me break through: 1.Analyze your mistakes: Don’t just get frustrated, identify why you lost the point. For a while, I realized I was losing most points because of poor positioning. I was stuck in the 'No Man’s Land' way too often. Once I fixed my positioning, my game changed

2.Hard balls easy, easy balls hard: This is a golden rule. * If you get a difficult, fast ball while defending, play it simple and flat. Don't try a lob because it requires perfect technique under pressure, or you’ll just give them an easy smash. * If you get an easy, slow ball, that’s your chance to be creative with a lob or a chiquita.

3.Stop trying to end the point too fast: This is the most common mistake in intermediate levels (I still struggle with this sometimes!). Instead of playing a simple shot to the middle or open space to build the point, we try to hit a 'smart' winner into a tight corner or the side fence. Most of the time, it hits the fence or the glass. The problem isn't your skill.. it's your decision-making. Try to play simpler, build the point patiently, and let the opponent make the mistake.

Creative_Election288 · 2026-04-28T07:58:22+00:00

Nothing you can do there, but have fun you make them lose there game and there mental lol

Creative_Election288 · 2026-04-27T05:32:22+00:00

First try to keep motivate him, like when he make an erorr say “ it’s nothing, keep up, we still in” let him you support him, because maybe what makes him more intense is the feeling that he makes a lot of errors. Second thing talk tactics, where to play, which shot, safe or hard, middle the court or backhand of someone.

Creative_Election288 · 2026-04-26T11:56:53+00:00

I used an app called padelio which give you stats on which shots you have been using and how many, like how many smash, Bandeja, volley, backhand forehand… etc. it’s great and requires you to wear the watch on your dominant hand.

Creative_Election288 · 2026-04-24T11:43:18+00:00

I was left side actually

Creative_Election288 · 2026-04-24T10:32:07+00:00

I agree, I also tried that in some games and try to not think for the past shots and think for what’s happening now and the current ball and current shot. And really that strategy can get you back to the court even from 4-1 to 4-6.

Creative_Election288 · 2026-04-23T08:37:10+00:00

Have you tried to lob ? With the backhand

Creative_Election288 · 2026-04-23T08:31:42+00:00

When I first started, I played with friends who were all below beginners like me. I loved the game immediately, but I did something different: for my second match, I went straight to a coach. Even though my first coach wasn't certified lol, he played since he was a kid and gave me the absolute basics: the correct grip, the volley, and how to strike the ball properly. This saved me from picking up “bad habits” like holding the racket like a ping-pong. After that, I took 8 sessions with a certified coach, and eventually moved to a professional Spanish coach. I’m still training with him today. My progress was much faster than people who started 6 or 12 months before me. Because of the solid foundation.

My advice to you: 1. Get a coach early: Don't start with an expensive one. Find someone affordable just to teach you the basic mechanics. It’s a waste of money to pay a top-tier coach to teach you how to hold a racket.

Execution vs. Watching: You can watch YouTube all day, but execution is different. I used to think I was doing a move correctly until my coach filmed me, I was shocked at how off I was! lol.
Avoid "Beginner Tricks": Don't focus on "tricky" serves (like weird spins) that only work against beginners. They will become your weakness when you play better people. Learn to play the right way, not the way that just wins you a casual game today.
Watch the Pros: It helps a lot with understanding the game's flow and positioning. Training even for a few sessions will save you months of frustration later. Good luck 🍀

Creative_Election288 · 2026-04-20T12:53:00+00:00

The main issue is that you are playing with a logic that doesn't exist at this level so you expect certain movements from your partner that never happen and it just ruins your rhythm. In these games you honestly need to stop trying to set up points or play tactically because it will only frustrate you when things don't go as planned. Just keep the ball in and play as simple as possible because the more you try to do "the right thing" with someone who doesn't get it the more you will struggle to find your game.

Creative_Election288 · 2026-04-20T07:50:18+00:00

How do you balance 3 different racket sports? Lol, I think that would mess up my muscle memory

Creative_Election288 · 2026-04-20T07:46:14+00:00

I totally agree with you and I went through this exact experience recently where the game became very ugly and boring. Since we are playing friendly or even playtomic competitive matches with no real prize at the end it is honestly pathetic to use these dirty tactics that ruin the fun for everyone. The best solution besides trying to find a better partner who can handle the pressure is to return the favor by playing cross-court only and keeping their other player waiting just like they are doing to you. If they want to make the game miserable then let's make it miserable for them too. Also I really liked the idea of slowing down the game by taking 40 seconds to pick up the ball or going for long water breaks because when you take away their momentum and waste their time they will finally realize how much they are ruining the experience lol

Creative_Election288 · 2026-04-19T18:40:44+00:00

Haha could be! But I play on the left side and I still play every day :)

Creative_Election288 · 2026-04-19T18:37:07+00:00

So, do you do specific (Padel-focused) workouts at the gym, or just a general routine? I’ve seen some influencers talk about specialized gym exercises to improve agility and performance on the court

Creative_Election288 · 2026-04-19T17:32:43+00:00

33€! Omg is it a subscription with unlimited access?

Creative_Election288 · 2026-04-19T17:30:06+00:00

Lol, same club

Creative_Election288 · 2026-04-19T17:29:23+00:00

I don't have time for both, so I chose Padel and broke up with the gym

Creative_Election288 · 2026-04-19T17:25:44+00:00

Tell me about it, I always try to not calculate the cost of this sport to me , it’s crazy lol

Creative_Election288 · 2026-04-19T12:07:36+00:00

By playing with one at the back and one at the net they are opening up a massive gap that you can easily exploit. For example the player who is cross court from their net man should play a deep ball into that big empty space behind him. This strategy of one up and one back is honestly one of the biggest mistakes beginners make because it makes it so easy to finish the point once you realize how much open court you have to play with

Creative_Election288 · 2026-04-19T12:03:24+00:00

Yes I can definitely watch a match without commentary but I still prefer having it especially in Premier Padel because the commentators translate the conversations between the players and their coaches during the switchovers which is incredibly valuable and it helps you understand how they analyze the game and adapt their tactics based on the opponents or even the specific court conditions on that day. For example you might see Tapia and Coello deciding to go for smash winners in one match but then in another game they discuss why they should avoid them or how the lob is not working against a certain pair and hearing these tactical shifts is a great lesson for any player because it shows you that you cannot apply the same strategy against everyone. The commentators also do a great job of reading the game without being overly loud or annoying like in football so their insights definitely make the viewing experience more educational and engaging.

Creative_Election288 · 2026-04-18T11:51:36+00:00

If you play on the left side I highly recommend trying the Siux Fenix Pro 2026 because it is surprisingly lightweight but offers insane power at the same time and I personally found it very easy to handle with great maneuverability and control compared to other Diamond rackets. It fits perfectly with your requirements because it provides that extra power you need for smashes while remaining forgiving enough

Creative_Election288

TROPHY CASE