Volley and bandeja: technique and control

What this lesson covers

The coach emphasizes keeping the volley compact by maintaining the paddle in front of the body. A firm hand at contact ensures the ball skids off the surface rather than bouncing high. Players should avoid excessive wrist movement and instead use body rotation to generate power. By keeping the elbow close to the body, the player maintains better control and balance throughout the stroke. When the ball arrives at the body, a small step allows the player to stay balanced and ready for the next action, as padel is a sport of constant reaction.

For the bandeja, the coach highlights the importance of the right leg for stability, especially when moving backward. The player must clear the left hip to allow the right side to rotate through the shot. Opening the paddle face and letting the tip drop slightly prevents the common mistake of hitting downward into the net. If a player is out of position, the priority shifts to placing the ball safely toward the opponent's weaker side rather than forcing a winner. This approach allows the player to recover the net position effectively.