Coach's Corner
Technique, tactics and tournament prep from PlayPadel coaches.
About this column
The blog's deepest column: advanced shots (bandeja, víbora), positional play, periodised training and honest gear breakdowns — grounded in the experience of Tashkent's playing coaches.
Articles in Coach's Corner
TechniqueThe Padel Smash: Finish the Point, Don't Give It Away
The padel smash isn't a tennis-style kill shot. Here's the technique, target selection with the walls in mind, common mistakes and drills that fix them.
CourtsIndoor vs. Outdoor Padel Courts: What Actually Changes
Ball bounce, wind, light and tactics: what really separates an indoor padel court from an outdoor one — and how to pick the right court in Tashkent.
TechniqueHow to Read Your Opponent in Padel: Pre-Shot Cues
A rival's stance, racket and weight transfer reveal the shot before the ball does. The anticipation cues to watch, and how to train them.
TrainingPadel in Tashkent's Summer Heat: Hydration & Court Tips
How to play padel safely through Tashkent's summer heat: how much to drink, what to wear, when to book a court, and which court type to pick.
TechniqueThe Smash (Remate) in Padel: Finishing Points at the Net
The smash is the finishing move at the net: grip, footwork, the four contact phases, target strategy, and drills that turn an easy lob into a point.
TechniqueHow to Hold a Padel Racket: The Continental Grip
The grip is padel's most underrated skill. We break down the continental 'hammer' grip: how to find it, how tight to hold, and where it works.
CourtsSun on the court: when it blinds you and when it is too hot
A step-by-step look at how PlayPadel predicts the sun on every Tashkent court: NOAA astronomy, court orientation, a glare score, heat by WBGT, and a check against real venues.
TechniqueThe Padel Volley: How to Win at the Net
The volley is the workhorse of net play — it's how you finish points. Grip, high vs low volley, footwork, where to aim and drills to build control.
TechniqueThe bajada: counter-attacking off the back glass
The bajada is padel's most aggressive baseline shot. Learn to read the lob, meet the ball coming off the glass at the right height, and turn defence into offence.
TechniqueThe chiquita in padel: the quiet shot that steals the net
The chiquita is a slow, low ball played at the feet of the netters. Learn when it beats a lob, how to hit it, and where to aim to take the net safely.
TechniqueThe Víbora in Padel: Mastering the Attacking Overhead
The víbora is the bandeja with teeth: same swing, but higher, more aggressive and with sidespin. Here's the technique, grip, footwork, targets and drills.
TechniqueThe Lob in Padel: The Shot That Wins Amateur Matches
The lob is padel's most underrated shot — it's how you steal the net from your opponents. Defensive vs offensive lobs, technique, targets and drills.