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Both opponents are at the net. Which diagonal do you defend from?
Defend cross-court by default. It is the longest, safest diagonal. Down the line is the surprise.
You are on the right at the back, both opponents at the net. Do you rally cross-court to their left player or down the line to their right player?
Defend cross-court by default. It is the longest, safest diagonal. Down the line is the surprise.
Why
The cross-court ball travels further, crosses the net at its lowest point, and lands in the biggest target. It also keeps the point on one diagonal, which means the net pair has to shift and the middle opens up for the ball that eventually splits them. Down the line is shorter, over a higher net, with the side glass narrowing the target: a good shot to have, and a poor shot to rely on. Defensive rallying in padel is mostly cross-court with the occasional line ball to keep the net player honest, not the other way round.
What this means at your level
Beginner
From the back, hit the ball diagonally across the court most of the time. It is the safest shot you have.
Intermediate
When the cross-court net player starts cheating toward the middle, the line opens. Hit it once to send them back; then return to cross-court.
Advanced
The cross-court rally also decides which opponent hits. If their left player is the finisher, that changes the default: see the puzzle on isolating the weaker net player.
Common questions
You are on the right at the back, both opponents at the net. Do you rally cross-court to their left player or down the line to their right player?
Cross-court by default: longer, lower net, opens the middle. Defend cross-court by default. It is the longest, safest diagonal. Down the line is the surprise. The cross-court ball travels further, crosses the net at its lowest point, and lands in the biggest target. It also keeps the point on one diagonal, which means the net pair has to shift and the middle opens up for the ball that eventually splits them. Down the line is shorter, over a higher net, with the side glass narrowing the target: a good shot to have, and a poor shot to rely on. Defensive rallying in padel is mostly cross-court with the occasional line ball to keep the net player honest, not the other way round.
Why not down the line by default: shorter, so less time for them?
Shorter distance also means a higher net, a smaller target and the side glass. It is the surprise shot, not the default.
What should a beginner do here?
From the back, hit the ball diagonally across the court most of the time. It is the safest shot you have.
How does this change for an advanced player?
The cross-court rally also decides which opponent hits. If their left player is the finisher, that changes the default: see the puzzle on isolating the weaker net player.
Puzzles like this one
The ball is at your feet at the net. What now?
A ball below the net cannot be attacked. Block it deep and wait for one above the tape.
beginnerBoth 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.
beginnerThe ball is coming off the back glass. When do you hit it?
Move back with the ball, let it pass you, hit it in front of your body.