What a 4.0 does
- Keeps the ball low and deep through long rallies
- Changes the pace with a block or a soft volley
- Wins the net back after defending a smash
What a 4.0 does not do yet
- Always pick the right overhead under pressure
- Change the plan when the first one is not working
- Wait for the right ball instead of the first one that looks like a chance
What to work on next
The volley that does not try to win: the block, the punch, and where to stand for each, so the point comes to you. Padel volleys: the block, the punch, and where to stand for both.
On the other scales
The converter files 4.0 under Intermediate: comfortable in matches, some tactics, you use the walls rather than fear them. That reads as MATCHi 6 and LTA 4.0; Padel Mates uses the same 0 to 7 numbers as Playtomic. None of it is official, and the bands hold to about half a point. Convert any number.
How the number moves
Beat a pair rated above you and you jump; lose to a pair rated below you and you fall. Matches entered as friendly do not count. Under five unforced errors in a set is at least a 4. The long version is in padel levels explained.