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Your partner is much slower than you. How does the pair set up?
Asymmetric shape: the slower player starts deeper, the quicker one takes more of the middle and crosses for lobs.
You are quick, your partner is not. At the net, the opponents are lobbing the slower player. What structural adjustment helps most?
Asymmetric shape: the slower player starts deeper, the quicker one takes more of the middle and crosses for lobs.
Why
Pairs do not have to stand symmetrically. If one player is slower, they start a metre deeper at the net so that lobs arrive as overheads rather than as chases, and the quicker partner covers more of the middle and takes the crossing lobs on the forehand. The shape looks lopsided and works better than a symmetrical one that the opponents can exploit by lobbing one side repeatedly. The same thinking applies to any mismatch, a weaker backhand, a poorer overhead, the pair positions around the weakness rather than pretending it is not there.
What this means at your level
Beginner
If you keep getting lobbed, stand a step further back from the net than your partner. That is allowed and it is smart.
Intermediate
The quicker player announces which lobs they will take, "middle is mine", so the slower player only has to worry about their own line.
Advanced
Opponents will still target the slower player. The point of the shape is that the balls they get are ones they can play in balance: overheads from a deeper spot, volleys with time.
Common questions
You are quick, your partner is not. At the net, the opponents are lobbing the slower player. What structural adjustment helps most?
Slower player deeper; quicker one takes more of the middle. Asymmetric shape: the slower player starts deeper, the quicker one takes more of the middle and crosses for lobs. Pairs do not have to stand symmetrically. If one player is slower, they start a metre deeper at the net so that lobs arrive as overheads rather than as chases, and the quicker partner covers more of the middle and takes the crossing lobs on the forehand. The shape looks lopsided and works better than a symmetrical one that the opponents can exploit by lobbing one side repeatedly. The same thinking applies to any mismatch, a weaker backhand, a poorer overhead, the pair positions around the weakness rather than pretending it is not there.
Why not both stand deeper so nobody is lobbed?
Then the quick player gives up the net for no reason. Adjust the one who needs it.
What should a beginner do here?
If you keep getting lobbed, stand a step further back from the net than your partner. That is allowed and it is smart.
How does this change for an advanced player?
Opponents will still target the slower player. The point of the shape is that the balls they get are ones they can play in balance: overheads from a deeper spot, volleys with time.
Puzzles like this one
Both 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.
intermediateYour partner got pulled wide. Where do you stand?
The pair moves like one body. When your partner is pulled wide, you take the middle.
beginnerYou have served. Where do you go?
In padel you serve in order to get to the net. Serve, then go.