Taught by Pablo Crosetti, the objective of this drill is to master the bajada de pared — a counter-attacking shot played against a high lob that comes off the back glass, allowing the player to regain control of the point.
This drill helps refine both shot consistency and technical precision.
Description
The coach places a marker in the middle of the service box, in a volley position, on the side where the player usually plays. The player starts at this marker, while the coach stands on the opposite side of the court with a basket of balls to feed.
The coach feeds high, deep lobs that rebound off the glass, allowing the player to execute the shot after the glass. The player moves back, positions himself behind the ball, sets the racket behind the head, and hits a bajada.
After each shot, the player must return to the net and touch the marker with the foot before moving back again to set up for the next bajada de pared.
The goal of the drill is to hit a bajada de pared after moving back, just as in a real match situation: the net player gets lobbed, retreats to counter the lob with an aggressive return off the back glass, and immediately moves forward again to recover the net.
Progression
To work on accuracy and consistency, the coach can ask the player to alternate placements: one bajada to the left, one to the middle, and one to the right, repeating the sequence to vary targets.
Technical tips
Here are some technical tips shared by Pablo Crosetti to improve execution:
- At the moment of contact, the shoulders should be perpendicular to the back glass. Power comes from the rotation of the shoulders and hips, not from the arm swing.
- Position yourself well behind the ball in order to create enough space to fully extend the elbow during the swing.
- Strike the ball at its highest point in the air.
Tactically, you must take advantage of the bajada de pared to move forward with the ball (step forward as the movement finishes) rather than staying static at contact. It’s an offensive shot that is usually followed by a volley.
Here’s a video demonstration of the drill:
Video credits: xTRES Padel – LA BAJADA DE PARED PERFECTA DE PÁDEL con Pablo Crosetti – YouTube