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You are both at the back and so are they. What is the priority?
Four at the back is a race to the net. Hit the ball that lets you move forward and take it.
A rally has ended with all four players at the back. What should your pair be trying to do?
Four at the back is a race to the net. Hit the ball that lets you move forward and take it.
Why
A padel rally with all four players at the back is a stalemate: from there, winners are rare and both pairs are safe. What breaks it is the net. The pair that takes the net first wins most of the points, so the priority is not a winner but a shot that lets you move forward: a deep lob that forces them to hit up, or a low ball that makes them play a weak shot from below the net. Then go, together, and let the net do the work.
What this means at your level
Beginner
From the back, hit high and deep, and walk forward. It is that simple.
Intermediate
The low, slow chiquita to the opponent's feet is the second way in. It is harder than the lob and works when they are moving forward too.
Advanced
Watch which of the two opponents is slower to the net and lob that side. Getting them to the net late is as good as keeping them back.
Common questions
A rally has ended with all four players at the back. What should your pair be trying to do?
Get to the net first, with a deep lob or a low ball. Four at the back is a race to the net. Hit the ball that lets you move forward and take it. A padel rally with all four players at the back is a stalemate: from there, winners are rare and both pairs are safe. What breaks it is the net. The pair that takes the net first wins most of the points, so the priority is not a winner but a shot that lets you move forward: a deep lob that forces them to hit up, or a low ball that makes them play a weak shot from below the net. Then go, together, and let the net do the work.
Why not wait for them to make a mistake?
They are waiting for the same thing. Somebody has to take the net, and it should be you.
What should a beginner do here?
From the back, hit high and deep, and walk forward. It is that simple.
How does this change for an advanced player?
Watch which of the two opponents is slower to the net and lob that side. Getting them to the net late is as good as keeping them back.
Puzzles like this one
The ball is at your feet at the net. What now?
A ball below the net cannot be attacked. Block it deep and wait for one above the tape.
beginnerBoth 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.
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.