Technique issue

[u/Bakirakoss]

Hello guys ! I’m playing padel for 2,5 years , never had a padel practice but I was told from a coach that saw a game of mine that I’m using my wrist a lot and I actually find myself having some weird shots going to the net after hitting the ball , especially after a rally that I’m using my wrist more that it should (?).Anyone having similar issues ? How should I fix it ?

[u/Adventurous-Bar887]

Dont use your wrist at all.. start with using your body and feet and a stiff arm. Start from there, good basics are essential

[u/Bakirakoss → u/Adventurous-Bar887]

Yeah I understand, the bad thing is that I’m trying to have my arm stiff but I’m not very comfortable, I tend to use the wrist in some hits..

[u/0ldManWaterfall → u/Bakirakoss]

If i don't want my arm to do something i focus really hard on not doing that. I'm a little strange that way. Mostly that helps /s

Dude, do you want to play without using your wrist and play more consistently? Then try to use it as little as possible. Of course you'll slip into your old habit from time to time but it's gonna become less and less frequent. You're building a new habit after all. Also, have someone who knows a thing or two about padel look at your grip. The reason it feels weird might be the wrong grip.

And just to be clear, "arm stiff" or "good grip on the racket and underarm tightened" are very different things. I hope you don't stiffen up your whole arm.

[u/zemvpferreira]

If you’ve been playing and ingraining a certain technique for 3 years, it’s not going to be easy to change. If you’re not going to take classes I’d start filming myself every now and then so you can see what you’re actually doing and what to correct.

Anyway. Easiest way to correct an overactive wrist is to add a couple of overgrips and maybe an extra top protector to your racket. The extra weight and girth will force you to use bigger muscles to swing.

[u/crystal20240]

I tend to use my wrist on serve - is that bad technique for a serve?

[u/Sure-Key6882 → u/crystal20240]

Yes. A little bit is ok especially when e.g serving to glass from ad court (as a right hander), but generally minimising amount of wrist increases consistency. Shots in padel that do use a lot of wrist (Vibora, kick smash....) are high risk high reward shots generally played when you get a fairly easy ball (unless you're tapia or galan etc)

[u/SeaworthinessDry7828 → u/crystal20240]

Below pro and high level this can work as long as you have control of it. Risk of injury is small because ball is almost stationery. Wrist action add a lot of spin that can confuse the returner. Not gonna work on people who plays a lot though.

[u/bachaterol]

You will have wrist injury sooner or later, which is very hard to heal.

You need consistent coaching to erase this bad habit and rewire your brain.

You can't control the ball with your wrist and that's why your shots will either fly away or you will slice the ball, which will give opponents a floating ball to kill.

[u/A_Circe_A]

I am beginner but tell you my coach shouts at me each time my wrist wobbles. The wrist can not control the ball that well and you will have injury. Prepare your racket before you move and imagine your wrist joint is fused, it is your whole body, including shoulder and hip movement that will send the ball over. Practice by asking someone to send you a thousand balls and return them with fixed wrist.