The Padel School Podcast

Can creativity be trained, or is it something you're simply born with?
In padel, being unpredictable can make you incredibly difficult to play against. From backhand tap-outs to trick shots that catch your opponents off guard, creativity can help you win points that a standard shot might not.
But there's a balance. Try the difficult shot without the right foundations, and you could end up frustrating your partner rather than troubling your opponents.
In this episode, Sandy and Tom discuss how creativity fits into padel, why it's different from tennis, and how players can develop the skills to use it effectively. They also hear from top player Paquito Navarro on how he trains his creativity.
They discuss:
- Why creativity is more than just hitting trick shots
- How to balance consistency with being unpredictable
- Why ball control is the foundation of creative play
- How the pros practise trick shots and develop new skills
- Why repetition helps you execute creative shots under pressure
- How to stay relaxed and overcome the fear of making mistakes
- When to use a trick shot — and when to play the percentage shot
- Why you should be unpredictable to your opponents but predictable to your partner
The key takeaway? Creativity can be trained. Build your foundations first, practise the shots you want to add to your game, and learn when to use them. You don't need to try a trick shot every point, but having it in your toolkit can make you a much harder opponent to read.
Want to improve your ball control? Explore The Padel School platform with a 7-day free trial. Find the link in the show notes.
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Padel Training & Match Journal

Want to hit a vibora that bites?
The vibora is one of the most satisfying shots in padel, but it can also be one of the hardest to master. The key isn't just hitting harder. It's learning the right technique, generating spin, finding the right contact point, and having the confidence to let your arm go.
In this episode, Sandy and Tom break down how to hit a more effective vibora, from recognising the right lob to using the shot tactically and building confidence through repetition.
They discuss:
When and where to use the vibora in a match
Why spin and precision matter more than simply hitting harder
The footwork and racket preparation needed for a clean contact
How to generate that whipping action without tension
Why the vibora becomes a setup shot as you face better defenders
How to build confidence through shadow swings, solo drills and on-court practice
Why trying to learn the shot during social matches can reinforce bad habits
How to recover your confidence after missing a vibora
The biggest takeaway? You can't expect to hit a confident vibora under pressure without putting in the repetitions first. Build the technique away from match play, develop consistency, and give yourself the confidence to commit when the opportunity comes.
Want to build your vibora from scratch? Join The Padel School platform with a 7-day free trial and follow our Vibora Challenge, with step-by-step exercises to help you develop the shot.
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
Padel Training & Match Journal

Does a good padel coach have to be a good padel player?
It’s a question that comes up regularly as padel continues to grow and more coaches enter the sport from different backgrounds.
In this episode, Sandy and Tom discuss what actually makes a good padel coach — and where playing level fits into the equation.
They explore the challenges of coaching in a rapidly growing sport, including the rise of coaches who may have only recently started playing padel, and the pressure on clubs to find coaches quickly.
They discuss:
🎾 Whether a coach needs to be a high-level player
🎾 Why playing level is important for demonstrating what good looks like
🎾 The importance of communication, organisation and empathy
🎾 Why being a great player doesn't automatically make you a great coach
🎾 What tennis and squash coaches can bring when transitioning into padel
🎾 Why understanding padel tactics becomes increasingly important at higher levels
🎾 How the level you're coaching should influence the playing level you need
🎾 What clubs should consider when choosing the right coach
🎾 Why coach education needs to go beyond simply learning drills
A good player and a good coach require different skills. The challenge is developing enough playing knowledge to understand and demonstrate the game, while also having the communication, organisation and teaching skills needed to help players improve.
Whether you're a player choosing a coach, a club looking to build its coaching team, or someone thinking about becoming a padel coach, this episode explores what really matters.
Interested in Coach Education? Let us know here: https://forms.gle/QAWsMjrvTEDgB4bk8

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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
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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

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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
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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