Defending the middle: court positioning and tactics
Key takeaway from our Guru
How do I know if I should take a ball in the middle?
Look at where the ball is going to finish, not where it bounced. If you are better positioned to reach the ball, call it loudly and play a lob or a chiquita to give yourself time to recover your position.
What this lesson covers
Deciding who takes a ball down the middle depends on three factors: the previous shot, the angle of the ball, and current court positioning. Beginners may choose based on forehand or backhand preference, but intermediate and advanced players must look at where the ball finishes rather than where it bounces. A ball hitting the side glass often travels toward the middle, making it easier for the player on that side to intercept, even if it bounced on the partner's half.
Positioning dictates who is closer to the ball. If one player has moved into the transition zone or no-man's-land, the partner remaining at the back is better placed to cover the center. When playing with a new partner, vocal communication is the primary tool to avoid hesitation. Once the player moves to the middle to retrieve the ball, the priority is to buy time to recover the open corner. Playing a chiquita to the feet or a high lob provides the necessary window to return to the home base. Experienced pairs rely on shared intuition, focusing their communication on the opponents' movements rather than calling for the ball.
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Original video
Added on Apr 2, 2026
Whose Ball is it at the Back?!?! | ThePadelSchool.com
Description
If there was ONE QUESTION to rule them all, it would probably be - WHOSE is that ball in the middle, when both you and your partner are at the back of the court?! In this video, we'll break down the answer to that question and we'll do it at a beginner, intermediate and advanced level. ā We now have a *7 DAY FREE TRIAL* on our online platform. *SIGN UP NOW* and don't miss out on this limited opportunity to IMPROVE YOUR GAME! š» Website: https://www.thepadelschool.com š Check out our podcast episodes at: https://podcast.thepadelschool.com š Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepadelschool š Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepadelschool š TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepadelschool *Chapters* 00:00 Intro 00:16 Beginner Level 00:44 Intermediate+ Level 01:06 Zones to Cover 01:49 A Demonstration 02:40 The Previous Shot 03:37 The Angle of the Ball 04:34 The Positioning 05:24 Communication 06:27 Shot Selection #padelgame #padel #padelpractice #padeltechnique #padeltraining #padelskills #padeltennis #padeltips *Disclaimer:* We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage which is incurred by you acting or not acting as a result of listening to any of our publications. For all videos on my channel: This information is for general & educational purposes only. Always consult with an attorney, CPA, or financial professional for advice based on your specific situation. *Copyright Disclaimer:* Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favour of fair use Ā© The Padel School
Good for
Skill level
Beginner, Intermediate, High Intermediate, Advanced
Court position
Both sides, Backcourt
Play style
Tactical
Keywords
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