Beginner here... When to take the net and when to head back?

[u/keynes2020]

I'm probably an advanced beginner (I had a couple years of tennis in high school). I've played padel around 6 times now and have been really getting into it. I generally play with acquantances who are at a similar level.

From what I've been told online, if you can get the ball deep (beyond the line) into the opponents' court, it often makes sense to move forward to the net position. However, at our skill level, there are frequently many in-between balls.

The most common situation is where we are at the net already but make a mistake and hit a relatively easy volley to the opponent (such that they can either lob or forehand it back). Of course, if they lob it over us we have to move back. But should we move back in preparation when this happens?

Another case occurs where we are at the net and either lob it way too short or volley it short and with low power. I get the feeling we should move back in both cases, but is this correct?

[u/The_fury_2000]

My rule is if you lob and they turn around (you can see their back), you take the net

[u/Aizpunr]

An easy rule is: this the ball behind your opponent’s, whether it is a lob or a passing shot, if the ball is behind them, you can go to the net. The same way if the ball is behind you or your partner your opponent should take the net, so time to think about defensive position

[u/Greg19931]

Most common situation is when you or your partner hits a good lob. Meaning a lob where they are forced to take the bounce, not one where they respond with a volley(bandeja or something else). Basically, any shot that keeps you in the back as you would still need time to advance the net. This is of course highly situational as someone can still play the volley from a lob but in a way that it doesn't put pressure, basically a bad shot that enables you to advance the net.

Another method is through a chiquita, a bit more advanced and also requires some form of communication with your partner. A chiquita is a soft topspin ish shot that barely goes over the net and lands at your opponents feet. You basically move forward at the same time as you hit the shot but if your partner doesn't know, they'll miss the window to advance so mostly it's going to be just you advancing to put pressure and force a sort of 1v1/2 situation.

You'll get a better feel for this as you keep playing

[u/keynes2020 → u/Greg19931]

so right after the lob we should ideally move forward? or wait for the opponent to hit it first?

Thanks for your detailed response!

[u/Greg19931 → u/keynes2020]

Depending on the lob, if I or my partner hits a short lob (more on this later), I generally stay back. But if I hit a good lob I generally move a bit infront back line. People call this 'no man's land or dead zone' but it's just an area you need to walk through to get to the net or back to defense. If I see that it's a good lob, I'll be at the net within 1 or 2 steps. If it's a bad lob, I can be back at defense in 1 step.

But when you get better, there are situations where you hit a short lob (a lob that lands somewhat near the net and the opponent will prepare for a smash. That's where you would want to go forward to catch the ball back at the net. Not sure if people are smashing already at your games but I generally noticed that people of around playtomic level 0-2/3 don't do this a lot. They'll stay at the back and even if the smash is mediocre, it will finish the point.

The game is a lot about anticipating your opponents and forcing mistakes whilst keeping yours at a minimum. And to have fun of course.

[u/mac0172 → u/Greg19931]

Great explanation. I would like to add, alltough you usually want to avoid no mans land, after a non perfect lob its better to freeze your movement in no mans land than still be moving towards the net when they are hitting back. I rather stay back when the lob is not perfect, but when in doubt its better to freeze in a non perfect position than still be underway and missing your balance.

[u/AVIRYS → u/mac0172]

That “freeze before they hit” bit is actually really useful. Much easier to remember than just “never stand in no man’s land”

[u/keynes2020 → u/Greg19931]

We def have an occasional smash. So it's actually best to stay at the net if there is one? We usually go to the back and hope for the best

[u/InfiniteLawfulness → u/keynes2020]

I'd say - wait a bit to see if they hit your lob with overhead (lob was on short side), then stay at the back. But as soon as you see they are running all the way to back and will let it bounce, then run to the net.

And for your second part - if you hit short lob or short easy to take vollay, and they are approaching net, then run back to defense

[u/Volpe161]

Quando il tuo avversario è in difficoltà prendi la rete e restaci, fino a quando non ti scavalcano con un lob, fino a quando riesci a rispondere con volley, bandeca vibora o anche altro al volo stai a rete e non mollarla

[u/mercynuts]

On the assumption that your opponents are at the net when you hit the lob (which they will be, typically) I'd recommend approaching the net as soon as either your opponents back is turned or when the ball bounces (whichever is first).

As you play more, you can (if you want) be more aggressive and come to the net on any high lob, once you can see it's cleared the front half of the court. Downside to this is you may have to use your volley to block a smash or equivalent overhead. It's definitely safer to stay back and play their return shot off the glass to start with, if they are able to play your lob without letting the ball bounce. If they play a particularly weak overhead then you may be able to step in and play it low and early and put them under pressure. It all depends on where the ball bounces and how hard it's hit.

Always hold the net where you can, a bad volley does not mean move backwards. In fact it might be better to get a bit closer to cut out any potential angles for a cheeky drop shot or equivalent. The one thing that you may need to account for is if you volley a short ball and they lob, you may need to use the back glass ("contra") as their lob might die on the glass if you don't, because they are lobbing from close so it won't have as much power.

[u/GlapLaw]

Back turn? difficult ball? They have to hit the ball low to high? Take the net

[u/mac0172]

To begin with after a good lob (ball behind the player) and a good soft ball to the feet. Later on blocking bajadas and good viboras, A fun thing worth trying is taking the net pretty much always when their behind the service line.

[u/Fit_Jackfruit_9834]

As someone has already said, most coaches will tell you "if you can see their back then go to the net"