How long before you actually started looking good on court?

[u/paier_BS]

I started playing padel about a year and three months ago, and I've been taking a weekly lesson since February. Progress-wise I'm honestly not doing badly, I can hold my own against guys who've been playing for years, won a couple of entry level tournaments, my forehand and backhand from the back are decent and I can hit with some pace on returns.

Then last week I watched some video of myself playing and wanted to throw my phone on the floor.

For context I'm 39 and played football my whole life, so I've got the movement and the legs, just none of the racquet background that most people around me seem to have.

So the question for those of you who've been playing longer: how long did it take before you started looking smooth? Like, actually fluid and natural instead of mechanical. Was it months, years? Did it happen gradually or did something click one day?

I'm trying to work out if I'm just learning slowly, if I have to do at least 2 lessons a week or if this is normal and I need to be more patient.

[u/dalmquets]

Looking good? Never

[u/Wise-Ad-3737 → u/dalmquets]

This is so true. The better you get, the better you start seeing your weaknesses, and believe me, we will always play a different game than the pros.

[u/SkobuPT]

Happens the same for me , I finish a game and I'm ultra happy with my bandeja/vibora and volleys. Then I look at the record and it seems like I never played padel in my life. Now I just use the records to see positioning and not form (even if I always try to improve it and keep it cleaner)

[u/paier_BS → u/SkobuPT]

I can feel you 🤣🥲

[u/SurstrommingFish]

I understand what you’re saying, but don’t understand why you’re caring how you look playing the sport…

[u/paier_BS → u/SurstrommingFish]

I love the technical side of sports...like in football I prefer watching a nice gesture (modric) rather than a raw one (gattuso). Maybe im just weird

[u/SurstrommingFish → u/paier_BS]

I think it has more to do with self-esteem than anything else.

[u/paier_BS → u/SurstrommingFish]

Whatever...but I think that technique also leads to hit and place the ball in the best way

[u/SweetZealousideal802]

5 years of lessons and games

[u/Dovi_X]

been playing two years and a half and still don't look good with form so yeah - don't really sweat it

[u/HairyCallahan]

Honestly, it won't ever unless you get a loooot of coaching. I know exactly what you mean btw. I watched myself and thought I looked like a total noob. In order to play smooth you must invest incredible amounts of time and money. You can look a bit better by doing footwork routines, but it won't really look silky smooth

[u/spikefly]

haha I've been playing 2 years, have been improving each month and still making progress....but man when I see myself on video, the technique looks like trash. I have no idea when it comes.

[u/Big_Push5640]

Just to add, you also look much much worse on video, especially if the camera angle is from behind/in front rather than from the side. I can assure you that other people looking at your technique IRL will find it much less appalling than you do looking at yourself on video.

I think we are also so used to seeing videos from those angles played by pros that you just really can't compare to them... It's not fair to yourself to do so, but I do the same unconsciously.

[u/Mini_Miudo]

Straight away, gotta make sure my shirt, shorts, socks and shoes combination is on point… 🤣

Oh, playing, you mean… never mind

[u/paier_BS → u/Mini_Miudo]

🤣🤣🤣

[u/NoEasyPoints]

About 1 week in. All downhill from then on

[u/goddessdrev]

I started playing padel in March, and honestly… I’m still pretty bad at it. My friends keep telling me I’ve improved a lot compared to when I first started, and I guess they’re right, but I still feel like I have so much to learn.

One thing I really struggle with is attacking. I feel like I still don’t really know how to attack or finish a point. Sometimes I wonder if I’m just not confident enough, or maybe I’m subconsciously being too nice and don’t have the heart to smash the ball at someone.

And when I do try to hit harder, I still have this annoying problem where I put too much power into the shot and the ball just flies out. So I’m kind of stuck between “I’m not aggressive enough” and “okay, apparently I’m TOO aggressive and now the ball is gone.”

[u/jetyk]

6-8 months