Back wall shots: low racket preparation

What this lesson covers

The coach addresses the common mistake of preparing the racket too high when playing balls rebounding off the back wall. High preparation causes players to lift the ball, mimicking a squash swing. Instead, the racket must stay low throughout the preparation phase, even touching the floor before impact to ensure a controlled trajectory. Players are instructed to step back to wait for the ball and strike it at its highest point. If the contact point is behind the body, the coach advises playing a lob rather than forcing an aggressive shot. Proper spacing is essential, as hitting the ball too close to the body prevents effective technique. Moving away from the ball creates the necessary room to swing through the shot. The coach suggests a drill where the player must successfully land six consecutive shots, resetting the count to zero upon any miss to emphasize consistency. This lesson is most suitable for tennis players transitioning to padel who struggle with rushing their shots off the glass.