The Padel School Podcast

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

What was it really like behind the scenes at the first-ever Premier Padel London?
In this episode, Sandy and Tom recap an unforgettable week in London, from Sandy’s experience commentating for Red Bull TV and getting up close with the world’s best players, to clinics, coach events, player interviews and plenty of time around the practice courts.
They discuss what stood out from watching the pros live, including the huge gap between the UK and the established padel nations, what British players need to do to close that gap, and why the accessibility and community feel of padel is something worth protecting as the sport grows.
They also share their biggest coaching and playing takeaways from the tournament from patience and decision-making on a slow court to the importance of building strong technical foundations before worrying about the more advanced aspects of your game.
Plus, they look back at the tournament itself, the atmosphere, the standout finals, the British wildcards, coach education and what Premier Padel London could look like in the future.
In this episode, we cover:
 Sandy’s experience commentating for Red Bull TV 
 The first Premier Padel event in London 
 What players can learn from watching the pros live 
 The gap between British players and the world’s best 
 Why padel’s coaching community needs to stay open and collaborative 
 The biggest tactical and mental takeaways from the pros 
 Why strong foundations create consistency 
 Our thoughts on the tournament, the finals and what comes next 
Did you attend Premier Padel London? Let us know what you thought of the event and what you took away from watching the world's best players live.
‼️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

Do you find yourself thinking about your technique during matches? Constantly second-guessing your decisions? Feeling like your mind is racing every time the ball comes your way?
In this episode, Sandy and Tom explore one of the biggest challenges padel players face: overthinking on court.
They explain why overthinking isn't actually the real problem—and why the solution isn't simply trying to "clear your mind." Instead, they reveal how building better foundations through quality repetition allows your technique to become automatic, so you can focus on what really matters during a match: tactics and decision-making.
You'll learn:
 Why thinking about technique during matches holds players back. 
 How footwork and preparation eliminate many common mistakes. 
 The power of shadow training and off-court practice. 
 Why quality repetition beats simply playing more matches. 
 How to build confidence so you can trust your game under pressure. 
If you've ever walked off court thinking, "I know what I should have done, but I just couldn't do it in the match," this episode will help you break that cycle and start playing with more confidence, clarity, and freedom.

‼️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