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Padel · Basic · b1

Bounce about and ladder rallies

At home 10 min 1 to 2 players Yard or lane, terrace, hall or court

Ready when: nothing, this is the first card.

Start a session

What you are learning

Controlling the ball with a racket: bouncing it on the strings, then gentle rallies with a short backswing and a follow-through, going back to the ready position after each shot. Long, steady rallies win more points than hard shots.

Words on this card Wrist strap, Rally, Ready position
Wrist strap
The cord on the racket handle worn round the wrist so the racket cannot fly out.
Rally
Shots going back and forth until the point ends.
Ready position
Standing facing the net, knees bent, racket in front, ready to move.

Set up

A racket or bat each; a soft ball; a wall or a net.

Weather: dry ground

The base setup for padel

Show it first for the one teaching

  1. Bounce the ball up on the racket face, gently, 5 times.
  2. Stand in the ready position: knees bent, racket in front.
  3. Hit the ball gently forward with a short swing and follow through toward the target.
  4. Step back to the ready position.

Your part while they practise

Count the rally together; throw the ball if a rally will not start.

Step by step

  1. Bounce the ball on the racket.
  2. Rally: short backswing, a gentle stroke and a follow-through.
  3. Back to the ready position between shots.

How much: 3 ladder games 10 min a session 4 days a week

Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.

The game: Ladder rallies

Reach a target number of shots in a rally, starting at 2 and rising; a mistake resets.

Who plays: the child and you together, against the ladder.

How to play, turn by turn
Turns
  1. The first target is a rally of 2 shots
  2. Reach it, and the target rises by 1
  3. Miss, and the target drops back to 2
  4. 5 minutes; the score is the highest target reached
Fair play
A grown-up hits with the other hand.
Points
The highest rally target reached.
Fouls
The target resets to 2
  • A big swing that sends the ball high
  • Not back in the ready position before the next shot
  • The wrist strap off
Winning
Beat your best target.
Stars
  1. 4 points for 1 star
  2. 7 points for 2 stars
  3. 10 points for 3 stars

Easier or harder

Easier

A bigger ball, one throws and one hits.

Harder

A target of ten shots.

What you will see, and what to say

  • the racket face points up Hit forward, not upFace toward the target.
  • the swing is long Short swingSmall and smooth.

Self-check

6

A rally of 6 shots in a row.

Stop and get a coach when

Pain in the wrist or elbow.

Fitness for this

Warm up first: how to warm up, at workonfitness.com. For strength and stretching, its exercise library shows each exercise step by step, with an easier version.

This card trains racket control, rally consistency.

awiseathlete.com/sports/padel/padel-b1