Training Padel

A volley that is too short allows the defending opponent to hit an effective lob and can cause the attacking pair to lose the net.

This drill, taught by Rodrigo Ovide, focuses on improving volley depth and consistency in order to maintain the upper hand once at the net and apply constant pressure on the opponents.

Two pairs position themselves on the court in their usual roles. The coach stands behind one of the pairs to observe the drill and provide feedback and corrections.

The players play a set to four games, with the following rule in place:

• The serving pair (the attacking team at the start of the point) must aim to have all their volleys bounce beyond the service line.
• The defending pair must play low defensive shots and is not allowed to lob as long as the attacking volleys continue to bounce deep, beyond the service line.

As long as the attackers’ volleys are deep enough (bounce past the service line), the defenders are therefore forbidden from playing lobs.

Conversely, if a volley bounces inside the service boxes, the defenders are then allowed to play a lob in order to regain the net.

Once the defenders have played their first lob, the rally becomes completely open.

Aside from this specific rule, the point is played freely. On deep balls, defenders who are not allowed to lob may use any other shot available to try to regain the net or win the point directly.

The objective of this drill is to encourage players to naturally lengthen their volleys so that they bounce at least beyond the service box line. A short volley will be used by your opponents to hit an effective lob and take back the net. If your volleys are deep enough, the defenders will be forced to play them off the back glass, and if you apply good slice, the ball will drop after hitting the glass, making it very difficult for your opponents to hit a lob.

Here’s the video demonstration of the drill:

Video credits: Rodri Ovide – ENTRENAMIENTO PADEL: VOLEAS LARGAS – YouTube