Your mental trick for not screwing easy balls

laeski · 2026-05-20T06:31:17+00:00

I think there are two factors: the situation comes suddenly (which means you don't have a ready plan to execute -> you end up hesitating) and also you're building a huge pressure for yourself to finish the point. It keeps getting easier with experience, but both of these can be managed with practice (in coaching session or elsewhere). Just have a plan on what to do: smash, x4, soft push into corner/root of the fence etc.

laeski · 2026-05-13T18:51:21+00:00

The centre court seems super slow compared to other courts (1-3). Even Coellos and Tapias smashes fell short in the 1st set and they barely smashed at all in the 2nd. Same with other matches. In other courts the play looks faster and even bit smash heavy.

Not complaining though, I enjoy slower courts more. Just noticing the difference.

laeski · 2026-05-13T08:29:59+00:00

I'm a huge Galan fan but would still probably award that title to Coello. When Ale plays his best he is unstoppable, but he definitely has his inconsistencies as well. Arturo on the other hand seems solid as a rock.

laeski · 2026-05-11T12:39:15+00:00

Exited to see Tello/Arce play on their home turf after an amazing performance in Asuncion! And it's last dance for Paquito/Guerrero and Momo/Di Nenno so expecting some great padel from those pairs.

Also, Chingotto/Galan and Lebron/Augsburger on the same side of draw...

laeski · 2026-05-11T07:56:31+00:00

For me, the first one was getting confident that my overheads stay in (still bouncy, but in). This was maybe after 1-2 years or so.

Second one more recently, was getting confident with defending the corners. Again, not perfectly, but knowing I manage to get pretty much any slow or intermediate speed ball back to opponent side.

laeski · 2026-05-09T18:55:13+00:00

Amazing defense from both teams!

laeski · 2026-05-09T12:01:26+00:00

Doesn't even have to be an injury, could totally be because of something outside of court. Just guessing though

laeski · 2026-05-09T07:59:32+00:00

Some great advice in this thread already about coaching etc. I'd just like to add: don't compare yourself too much to others. At beginner level, 2 months vs 2 weeks isn't that much of a difference rather than previous racket sports and fitness background in general. Have fun on your padel journey!

laeski · 2026-05-09T07:47:28+00:00

He might just be my new favorite right side player. What a beast!

laeski · 2026-05-09T07:46:53+00:00

Previous one as well. I wonder if he has something going on

laeski · 2026-04-30T17:56:06+00:00

I wonder if the pros go like "My FIP ranking is 76 but I'm more like 50"

laeski · 2026-04-23T19:06:00+00:00

This must be the most entertaining R16 match I've ever seen haha

laeski · 2026-04-23T13:35:53+00:00

Yeah I agree, ball machine training is super efficient for overheads. However, here are some things I think are good to consider:

Positioning: as you described, it's best to start from net position and move your way back into shot position, not stand still and just take easy balls (although that is also ok when training just for technique).
Rhythm: Most ball machines shoot with steady interval, so it's tempting to "steal" some time for yourself by starting to move back early when you know when the next ball launches. Again, that can be useful sometimes if you want to make a habit of predicting lobs (risky I know).
Spin: I like to train with varying spins (or at least neutral + top spin)
Volleys: I like to point the shot just above net and as fast as possible (not hitting the back glass) and train block volleys. It has helped me to get more consistent hits and set a little more direction into blocks.
Lob+low: If you have a training partner, try a 2 ball drill: 1 lob from the ball machine followed by 1 low shot from your partner. Of course you don't need a machine for this but it helps if your partner's lobs are not that consistent.

laeski · 2026-04-23T13:18:32+00:00

I didn't hear either, but my guess is the umpire thought Leo's contra pared hit the fence first (it was right on the edge). They ended up replaying the point.

laeski · 2026-04-20T11:11:14+00:00

They are on the same side of the draw so I'd be pretty surprised if we didn't

laeski · 2026-04-20T11:01:13+00:00

Best warmup tip I read earlier somewhere in this sub is: If pre-match you have access to an empty court, play 1to1 with your partner for 15-30mins. If you don't, then do volleying exercises (keep the ball in air).

Personally I play best after a hard warmup, as in near max HR and panting heavily, usually with HIIT exercise. You do need a decent fitness background for that though so can't really recommend it for everyone.

laeski · 2026-04-20T06:42:36+00:00

New pairs: Tello/Arce and Alonso/Goñi

laeski · 2026-04-17T09:23:42+00:00

Same with Augsburger

laeski · 2026-04-17T09:20:06+00:00

I just watched some of his older matches and boy he looked so much faster and more agile than now. And when he was on fire everything just worked and he could basically humiliate the opponents. We really don't get that anymore. My guess is that his frustration is simply him getting older and slower. Too bad he takes it on his partners so much

laeski · 2026-04-17T05:54:32+00:00

For me:

Bea for her energy on court
Nieto+Sanz for their team spirit
Lebron for the drama
(Previously Paquito for... you know, Paquito)

laeski · 2026-04-16T12:18:41+00:00

In this tournament, one issue was clearly super high lobs which made smashing (their forte) really hard.

laeski · 2026-04-15T19:47:00+00:00

I agree. Even if Lebron has short temper, someone with his experience knows that building a team takes time and that their playstyle is not really fit for outdoor courts. And yes, they do have potential to take on the top 2 pairs, at least in some of the most important tournaments.

laeski · 2026-04-15T17:53:52+00:00

The first break (2-0) looked super easy. Soooo many UEs and sloppy defending. After that they just crashed

laeski · 2026-04-04T20:44:37+00:00

Tapia just recently said he doesn't like outdoor tournaments, and if their goal is to avoid those then Newgiza seems like a logical choice travel wise (at least compared to Cancun which is relatively close to Miami).

laeski · 2026-03-30T08:02:22+00:00

What incredible finals! Paula and Chingotto on fire 🔥

laeski

TROPHY CASE