Home › Puzzle › Three points lost in a row. What do you say to your partner?
Three points lost in a row. What do you say to your partner?
After a bad run, say one plan, not one apology. "Lob deep, then go together." Then play it.
Your pair has just lost three straight points, two on your errors. Between points, what is the useful thing to say?
After a bad run, say one plan, not one apology. "Lob deep, then go together." Then play it.
Why
Losing three points in a row is normal in padel, the scoring makes runs common, and what matters is what happens on the fourth. An apology keeps the errors in both players' heads; a technical analysis takes too long and invites disagreement. What works is a single, concrete, shared plan for the next point: where the lob goes, who takes the middle, that you move together. It gives both players something to execute rather than something to worry about, and executing a simple plan is how rhythm comes back.
What this means at your level
Beginner
Pick one thing to do on the next point and say it out loud. "High lob, then walk in." That is the whole conversation.
Intermediate
The plan should be the simplest thing you both do well. Under pressure, play your best shot to the biggest target.
Advanced
Watch for the partner who goes quiet after errors. That is when you talk more, not less: short, practical, forward-looking.
Common questions
Your pair has just lost three straight points, two on your errors. Between points, what is the useful thing to say?
One plan: "lob deep, then we go together". After a bad run, say one plan, not one apology. "Lob deep, then go together." Then play it. Losing three points in a row is normal in padel, the scoring makes runs common, and what matters is what happens on the fourth. An apology keeps the errors in both players' heads; a technical analysis takes too long and invites disagreement. What works is a single, concrete, shared plan for the next point: where the lob goes, who takes the middle, that you move together. It gives both players something to execute rather than something to worry about, and executing a simple plan is how rhythm comes back.
Why not sorry, sorry, my fault. I will fix it?
Your partner knows. Apologising loads the next point with the last one. Move on with a plan.
What should a beginner do here?
Pick one thing to do on the next point and say it out loud. "High lob, then walk in." That is the whole conversation.
How does this change for an advanced player?
Watch for the partner who goes quiet after errors. That is when you talk more, not less: short, practical, forward-looking.
Puzzles like this one
A smash is coming at you. What is your job?
You are not trying to win this ball. You are trying to still be in the point two shots from now.
beginnerYou are 0-4 down. What do you change?
Change one variable and give it two games. Anything else is panic wearing a tactic’s clothes.
intermediateOne of them is clearly weaker. Where do you hit?
Find the weaker player and keep the ball there. Consistency of target beats variety of shot.