You must LEARN to Hit Flat...3 Reasons WHY!

Players often hit with slice when they start in padel, but in this video we explain why we recommend learning to hit flat from the start!

It is valuable to be able to slice, but the higher the level, the more players use flat technique for the majority of their shots.

The 3 reasons are:
1. Less Risk
2. More Effective
3. Disguise

The technique is usually simpler, so often players just need to practice directing the shot and they should be able to quickly integrate it into their game.

[PbPomper]

I'm in the position you were. I am now at the point where I slice almost every shot, because it seems to work for me. Thank you for handing down your experience! This all makes a lot of sense :)

[mastercoc]

Thank you for making these videos, I have now played padel for 1, 5 year, and your videos have helped me alot. Keep on your good work.

[jorgefarill]

I come from rugby and and with time I have discovered it is not quite the same technique

[emmanuelwejega]

Your videos are really inspiring. Keep on with the good work

[leandertaelman]

Yes, definitely true! I need to work on this one, especially when you come from squash and badminton.

[michelraveyts]

Good video. I guess i need to work on my flat return. I would recommend slice the moment you have a ball above shoulder level.

[minhchau]

I love to watch your video.. I have not played padel..I'm playing pickleball but it's ok ..thank you.

[garymurraya]

I have also watched a few videos from a padel player in the WPT top 100 and he says, by contrast, from the back of the court, 90% of his shots are actually top spin. With top spin the chiquita becomes just as easy and in fact if the ball comes to you at a low angle, the top spin helps it get up and over the net and bring it down faster to the feet, don't you think?
I come from tennis and I love to slice when the ball is around waist height with power, but when the ball is much lower than this I 100% agree a slice is too risky and will prevent most players getting to a higher level, but I still think if people come from tennis then its not always right to get them away from the top spin, especially if they can do it well. Naturally it bounces up of the back glass, but if you're at the back glass or defending yourself, it would seem logical good opponents would be at the net, hence it would not matter too much about what happens at their back glass if it reached there.

Not arguing with your point at all, hitting flat is very important, but for tennis people who never hit flat before as we dont this day and age, its almost just as well to hit top spin unless they are heading to be in the top 10% at their local padel club. I struggle with flat and taking the ball early, my wrist doubles back sometimes or the ball goes high and maybe my body isn;t at the right angle... its hard to take it early. Where as if you are going for top spin, you or I seem to be able to naturally take it earlier and with a firm wrist.

Quick question, now I've bored you.... When you play your shots, do you always have a firm wrist? Is it something you think about, holding the pala firmer... or are there times you have it looser?

Thanks for the video..
Esta muy bien :)

[Mondochrille]

Interesting. I have tennis background and I hit flat most of the time. I do slice sometimes, but often when I'm under pressure.
Hitting flat comes more natural for me 🙂

[eugeniogerez]

Great video as usual Sandy, maybe an exception of not hitting flat but with slice could be when the ball comes slow and it bounces close to the net. In the case the player doesn't decide to make a volley because maybe the ball is going down and won't have time to hit it in a good altitude, letting it bounce in the floor and making a good slice shot can be very effective I think, i saw it a lot in high level matches

[Jogamita]

You say you came to Spain! We'd love to see you talking in Spanish in your next video! Say some words to your Spanish followers! hahaha

Aside from that, super useful explanations, I had never thought of some of these tips and I just thought playing flat was for "noobies", but you have put it quite clearly!


Thank god you came, Sandy!!!

[barrycoffey]

Great explanations Sandy. Happy New Year. Keep up the good work.

[julianlidberg]

Should you put a little topspin on the ball or should it be all flat? Great videos!

[machess]

Hey sandy! I almost always do the slice and I’m very comfortable with it and I never fail doing it. I think It’s only when I lob I do flat technique. I still can’t get why to hit flat.

[KanterLo]

I have that problem, I have to learn to unslice ;)!

[nandkuj]

When you say flat, do you mean no spin or a little topspin?

[kleinegang]

I’ve been watching for a while now and it seems te me you have all te knowledge but you seem quitte average at the game