Groundstroke control: flat contact and speed management
Key takeaway from our Guru
How can I improve my groundstrokes from the back of the court?
Stop using excessive slice and focus on a flat racket face at contact to keep your shots low. Control your speed instead of hitting hard, as this gives you more time and better opportunities to set up a lob.
What this lesson covers
Groundstrokes from the back of the court require specific adjustments when opponents hold the net position. Instead of relying on slice, which often keeps the ball at a comfortable height for the volleyer, players should prioritize flat contact or light topspin. A flat racket face at the moment of impact helps the ball dip beneath the net height. This does not require high power, as controlled, slower shots often prove more effective for setting up a lob or a chiquita.
Speed management remains a primary factor in maintaining control during defensive rallies. Smacking the ball at high velocity typically results in faster incoming volleys, reducing the time available to react. By playing with less pace and higher accuracy, a player dictates the tempo of the point. Controlling the trajectory of the ball, whether through a high lob or a soft chiquita, forces opponents to play upward. Practicing these elements during the pre-match warm-up ensures the correct tempo from the first point.
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Original video
Added on Apr 2, 2026
IMPROVE Your GROUNDSTROKES With These 3 TIPS!
Description
If you’re new to The Padel School, welcome. We’re Sandy and Tom Farquharson - two brothers and the founders of this platform. Our mission? To give every padel player the best coaching advice possible so you can unlock your full potential on the court. Here’s why we care so much about this… We grew up in tennis, competing from juniors all the way to the pro level. And honestly? It was frustrating. No matter how hard we worked, it was nearly impossible to get the high-quality coaching we needed to reach our full potential. When we discovered padel over a decade ago, we fell in love with the sport instantly. But guess what? The coaching situation was even worse. Getting solid advice in English? Forget it. That’s when we decided enough was enough. As we played on the pro padel circuit and started coaching players across the globe, we realised no player should have to struggle to find clear, actionable guidance – in any sport. Every player deserves access to the knowledge they need to grow, improve, and play the game at their highest level. So we built The Padel School. It’s where we share everything we’ve learned on and off the court. Whether you’re a total beginner or chasing a competitive edge, we’re here to make sure you get the coaching we wish we’d had. To all the padel warriors out there: the road to improvement isn’t easy, but that’s what makes it rewarding. Keep grinding, keep learning, and remember – every point is a new opportunity to get better. See you on the court, Tom and Sandy *Chapters* 00:00 Intro 00:37 Tip #1 01:13 Tip #2 02:00 Tip #3 Do you understand YOUR game? (Free Padel Assessment): https://improve.thepadelschool.com/padel-assessment Our BOOK - The Padel Player's Guide: https://thepadelschool.com/the-padel-players-guide/ YouTube – https://youtube.com/thepadelschool Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thepadelschool Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepadelschool Want to join us on court? https://thepadelschool.com/events Read our blogs: https://thepadelschool.com/blog/
Good for
Skill level
Beginner, Intermediate, High Intermediate
Court position
Backcourt
Play style
Control
Keywords
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