The Padel School Podcast

Why does your bandeja keep bouncing up and giving your opponents an easy ball to attack?
In this episode, Sandy and Tom break down one of the most frustrating problems for recreational players: the bouncy bandeja.
After Sandy's latest trip with Red Bull TV to Paris, they start by looking at how the pros used the bandeja in outdoor conditions, how they adapted to the sun and high lobs, and why the bandeja is still an important shot even in the modern game.
They then break down the technique behind a more effective bandeja and the common mistakes that cause the ball to bounce too high.
They discuss:
Why the pros still use the bandeja
The difference between a bandeja and a vibora
Why footwork is often the biggest problem
How to position yourself under a lob
Why your racket and elbow need to be above the ball
Why you should think of the bandeja as a high forehand volley, not a smash
How slowing the shot down can actually make it more effective
Why using the glass can help take speed off the ball
Where to aim your bandeja to make it harder to attack
How to build better technique through quality repetitions off the court
The key is not simply hitting the bandeja harder. It’s about getting into the right position, creating the right contact and using the shot to neutralise the point so you can recover the net.
If your bandeja keeps bouncing and getting attacked, this episode will help you understand why and what you can do to fix it.

‼️WHAT'S NEW IN THE PADEL SCHOOL‼️
Padel Training & Match Journal: Track Your Training, Matches, and On-Court Progress

EXPLORE OUR OFFERS
The Padel School Membership (with FREE Trial)
Access 75+ Drills for Every Level: TPS Drill Book For Players
Our BOOK - The Padel Player's Guide
Get our Mental Toughness Course

Why do some days on the padel court feel great, while other days everything seems to go wrong?

In this episode, Sandy and Tom break down why recreational players can have such big fluctuations in their level and what you can do to build a more consistent base level.

They discuss:
🎾 Why your foundations are more important than individual shots
🎾 How footwork affects preparation, positioning and consistency
🎾 Why pros can rely on their “base level” when they aren't playing their best
🎾 How training off the court can improve what happens on it
🎾 Why trying to think about your footwork during a match can actually make things worse
🎾 How fixing an earlier part of the movement can improve your contact and technique
🎾 Why “little and often” training can make a big difference

The goal isn't to make sure you never have a bad day. It's to raise your minimum level so that even when you're not playing your best, you can still rely on your game.

Build the foundations, make them automatic, and give yourself a more consistent level to work from.

‼️WHAT'S NEW IN THE PADEL SCHOOL‼️
Padel Training & Match Journal: Track Your Training, Matches, and On-Court Progress

EXPLORE OUR OFFERS
The Padel School Membership (with FREE Trial)

Access 75+ Drills for Every Level: TPS Drill Book For Players

Our BOOK - The Padel Player's Guide

Get our Mental Toughness Course

In this episode, Sandy and Tom discuss the one skill that can have an immediate impact on almost every recreational player’s game: footwork.
From feeling rushed and arriving late to the ball, to struggling with positioning, recovery and technique, so many common problems on court can be traced back to inefficient footwork.
They discuss:
🎾 Why footwork is the foundation of almost every shot
🎾 Why your movement needs to become automatic
🎾 How the pros train their footwork off the court
🎾 The importance of the split step, small adjustment steps and positioning
🎾 Why better footwork can improve your anticipation and court position
🎾 How recreational players can train footwork without spending hours on court
🎾 Why building these foundations can make your on-court coaching much more effective
If you want to improve your consistency, movement and overall level, this is a great place to start.

‼️WHAT'S NEW IN THE PADEL SCHOOL‼️
Padel Training & Match Journal: Track Your Training, Matches, and On-Court Progress

EXPLORE OUR OFFERS
The Padel School Membership (with FREE Trial)

Access 75+ Drills for Every Level: TPS Drill Book For Players

Our BOOK - The Padel Player's Guide

Get our Mental Toughness Course

Can you really improve your padel game without being on court with a coach?
In this episode, Tom and Sandy challenge the common belief that the only way to improve is through in-person coaching and match play.
They break down what effective online learning actually looks like, why simply watching hours of YouTube or social media tips isn't enough, and how players can turn knowledge into real improvement through structured training and quality repetition.
They also explain:
 Why playing more matches isn't always the answer
 The difference between watching content and actually training a skill
 How to identify the root cause of problems in your game 
 Why footwork, ball control and repetition matter so much 
 How to use online coaching without overwhelming yourself 
 Why having a structured roadmap can accelerate your progress 
 How skills like the bandeja can be broken down and trained away from the court 
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced club player, this episode will help you rethink how you learn padel and how you can make the most of the time you have both on and off the court.

‼️WHAT'S NEW IN THE PADEL SCHOOL‼️
Padel Training & Match Journal: Track Your Training, Matches, and On-Court Progress

EXPLORE OUR OFFERS
The Padel School Membership (with FREE Trial)

Access 75+ Drills for Every Level: TPS Drill Book For Players

Our BOOK - The Padel Player's Guide

Get our Mental Toughness Course

Most players go into a padel match with either no tactic at all—or a plan so complicated they forget it after the first point. So what should you actually be thinking about before, during and after a match?
In this episode, Tom and Sandy break down padel tactics from beginner level all the way to the professional game. They explain why having a simple game plan is better than having no plan, how partners can create clarity through communication, and why your tactic should evolve as the match develops.
They also explore one of the biggest differences between tennis and padel: in padel, you aren't just trying to execute your game plan—you need to constantly read what your opponents are doing and adapt.
From choosing who to target and where to play your lobs, to recognising when you've given an opponent too much rhythm, Tom and Sandy explain how to know when to stick with a tactic, when to change it, and how to avoid changing tactics simply because you haven't executed the original plan.
Plus, they discuss the importance of staying composed between points, communicating at changeovers, and using a training and match journal to reflect on what worked, what didn't, and what to take into your next match.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why every player should start a match with a simple tactic
How partners can create clarity before stepping on court
When you should stick with a tactic and when you should change it
How professional players constantly adapt their game plans
Why communication between points and at changeovers matters
How emotions can affect tactical decision-making
How journaling can help you improve from match to match
Why the best tactic isn't always the most complicated one
If you want to stop playing matches without a plan and start making better tactical decisions on court, this episode is for you.

‼️WHAT'S NEW IN THE PADEL SCHOOL‼️
Padel Training & Match Journal: Track Your Training, Matches, and On-Court Progress

EXPLORE OUR OFFERS
The Padel School Membership (with FREE Trial)

Access 75+ Drills for Every Level: TPS Drill Book For Players

Our BOOK - The Padel Player's Guide

Get our Mental Toughness Course