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Four at the back. Which of your balls is the one to advance behind?
Advance behind any ball that makes them hit from below the net. Deep to the feet, or low, then go, together.
All four players are at the back trading balls. Which shot of yours is the trigger to move forward?
Advance behind any ball that makes them hit from below the net. Deep to the feet, or low, then go, together.
Why
With all four players at the back, the point is decided by who takes the net first, and the trigger for advancing is a ball that forces the opponents to hit upward: deep to their feet so they have to lift it, or low and slow so they cannot drive it. The reply to that ball will be high or slow, and the pair that is already moving forward takes it as a volley. Waiting for a clean winner never works; waiting for the opponents to advance first means defending. Hit the ball that makes them lift, and go behind it, both of you, before you see the reply.
What this means at your level
Beginner
When you hit a deep ball that lands near their feet, walk forward with your partner. Do not wait to see what they do.
Intermediate
The trigger is your ball's quality, not their reply. If you have made them hit up, the reply is going to be attackable; be there for it.
Advanced
The ball through the middle at the feet of the deeper player is the best trigger: neither of them wants it, and both have to lift.
Common questions
All four players are at the back trading balls. Which shot of yours is the trigger to move forward?
Any ball that makes them hit from below the net. Advance behind any ball that makes them hit from below the net. Deep to the feet, or low, then go, together. With all four players at the back, the point is decided by who takes the net first, and the trigger for advancing is a ball that forces the opponents to hit upward: deep to their feet so they have to lift it, or low and slow so they cannot drive it. The reply to that ball will be high or slow, and the pair that is already moving forward takes it as a volley. Waiting for a clean winner never works; waiting for the opponents to advance first means defending. Hit the ball that makes them lift, and go behind it, both of you, before you see the reply.
Why not a winner?
You will not hit many winners from the back. The transition ball is the one that makes them hit up, not the one that ends the point.
What should a beginner do here?
When you hit a deep ball that lands near their feet, walk forward with your partner. Do not wait to see what they do.
How does this change for an advanced player?
The ball through the middle at the feet of the deeper player is the best trigger: neither of them wants it, and both have to lift.
Puzzles like this one
Both of them are at the net. What is the highest-percentage ball?
Only the lob moves a net pair backwards. Everything else invites them forward.
beginnerYou have served. Where do you go?
In padel you serve in order to get to the net. Serve, then go.
intermediateWhat do you do with the return of serve?
The return lob is how the receiving pair steals the net. Aim over the player who is still moving.