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Your partner goes up for a smash. What is your job?
When your partner smashes, close the middle and get ready to volley the reply.
A lob goes to your partner at the net and they are setting up a smash. What should you do?
When your partner smashes, close the middle and get ready to volley the reply.
Why
A smash is rarely a clean winner in padel; more often it produces a scrambled return. The partner's job during the smash is to be ready for that return: a step forward and a step toward the middle, racket up, ready to volley a ball that comes back weakly. It also covers the danger, if the smash is poor and the reply is a lob, you both go back; if it is a drive, you are already closing it. Standing still and watching the smash is how pairs lose points they should have won.
What this means at your level
Beginner
When your partner goes up for a smash, take one step forward and get your racket up. Something is coming back.
Intermediate
Move toward the middle so the returner's easiest shot is covered. Their line is the hard shot; make them try it.
Advanced
Read the smash before it is hit. A flat smash with the opponent well back means a weak reply is coming; a bandeja means the point continues and you should hold your position.
Common questions
A lob goes to your partner at the net and they are setting up a smash. What should you do?
A step forward and to the middle. When your partner smashes, close the middle and get ready to volley the reply. A smash is rarely a clean winner in padel; more often it produces a scrambled return. The partner's job during the smash is to be ready for that return: a step forward and a step toward the middle, racket up, ready to volley a ball that comes back weakly. It also covers the danger, if the smash is poor and the reply is a lob, you both go back; if it is a drive, you are already closing it. Standing still and watching the smash is how pairs lose points they should have won.
Why not stand still. It is their ball and their point to win?
Standing still leaves the middle open. The best replies to a smash come through the middle; you should be closing it.
What should a beginner do here?
When your partner goes up for a smash, take one step forward and get your racket up. Something is coming back.
How does this change for an advanced player?
Read the smash before it is hit. A flat smash with the opponent well back means a weak reply is coming; a bandeja means the point continues and you should hold your position.
Puzzles like this one
They lobbed you deep. Smash it or play the bandeja?
Deep ball, high hands: bandeja. The shot exists to keep you at the net, not to win the point.
intermediateYour partner got pulled wide. Where do you stand?
The pair moves like one body. When your partner is pulled wide, you take the middle.
beginnerYou have served. Where do you go?
In padel you serve in order to get to the net. Serve, then go.