Home › Puzzle › Do you jump for the smash?
Do you jump for the smash?
Jump only for the smash that needs the height. Bandejas and feet smashes are hit grounded, in balance.
Should the padel smash be hit with a jump, like a tennis serve, or with feet on the ground?
Jump only for the smash that needs the height. Bandejas and feet smashes are hit grounded, in balance.
Why
The jump in a padel smash exists for one reason: to raise the contact point so the ball can be hit down steeply enough to bounce and leave the court over the back glass. On the shot that needs it, a short, high lob close to the net, it is essential. On every other overhead it is a cost: the bandeja needs balance and a controlled contact, and the smash to the feet needs accuracy rather than height. Players who jump for every overhead hit fewer good ones. Stay grounded by default, and jump when the ball and the target demand it.
What this means at your level
Beginner
Keep both feet on the ground for your overheads for now. The jump comes later, for one specific smash.
Intermediate
The jumping smash is a scissor kick: you jump off the back foot, the hitting-side leg kicks forward as the other swings back, and you land on the non-hitting foot facing the net. Practise it on short lobs only.
Advanced
The jump also telegraphs the smash. Against a pair that defends smashes well, a grounded víbora from the same position is harder to read.
Common questions
Should the padel smash be hit with a jump, like a tennis serve, or with feet on the ground?
Jump only when you need the height; otherwise stay grounded. Jump only for the smash that needs the height. Bandejas and feet smashes are hit grounded, in balance. The jump in a padel smash exists for one reason: to raise the contact point so the ball can be hit down steeply enough to bounce and leave the court over the back glass. On the shot that needs it, a short, high lob close to the net, it is essential. On every other overhead it is a cost: the bandeja needs balance and a controlled contact, and the smash to the feet needs accuracy rather than height. Players who jump for every overhead hit fewer good ones. Stay grounded by default, and jump when the ball and the target demand it.
Why not always jump. It adds power?
The jump adds height, not power. On a bandeja or a feet smash it just takes away balance.
What should a beginner do here?
Keep both feet on the ground for your overheads for now. The jump comes later, for one specific smash.
How does this change for an advanced player?
The jump also telegraphs the smash. Against a pair that defends smashes well, a grounded víbora from the same position is harder to read.
Puzzles like this one
They lobbed you deep. Smash it or play the bandeja?
Deep ball, high hands: bandeja. The shot exists to keep you at the net, not to win the point.
beginnerThe ball is coming off the back glass. When do you hit it?
Move back with the ball, let it pass you, hit it in front of your body.
intermediateShort, high and yours. Bandeja or smash?
Deep ball, bandeja. Short ball with your weight going forward, smash.