The Padel School Podcast

A great coaching programme is never built around just one coach.
It's built around a team that shares the same vision, values, and approach to player development.
In this episode, Sandy sits down with Ayden Rhodes, club manager at Coalition Padel to discuss what separates great coaching teams from average ones. The Padel School Johannesburg Academy is based at Coalition and this was filmed during a recent coach education trip with the team.
Whether you're a club owner, head coach, or part of a growing coaching team, this conversation is packed with practical insights on building a coaching environment where both players and coaches can thrive.
In this episode, you'll learn:
 Why great coaching teams outperform great individual coaches 
 How shared coaching principles improve player development 
 The importance of communication and consistency across a coaching team 
 Common mistakes clubs make when building their coaching programmes 
 How strong coaching cultures lead to happier players and better retention 
 Why investing in your coaches is one of the best investments you can make for your club 
If you want to build a coaching programme that delivers consistent results and creates long-term success, this episode is for you.

London is hosting Premier Padel for the very first time—and it's set to be one of the biggest events in British padel history. In this episode, Sandy and Tom break down everything you need to know before the tournament begins, with a special focus on Team GB's wildcard entries and what it really means to compete against the world's best players.

They explain how the wildcard system works, why underdogs can be dangerous, which British players to watch, and how playing at home could give them an edge. They also discuss what fans can expect from the atmosphere, the qualification rounds, and why the opening days of the tournament often produce the biggest surprises.

Whether you're heading to London to watch live or following from home, this episode is your complete guide to the stories, players, and moments you won't want to miss.

!!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 
Win Matches with a Stronger Mindset: Get our Mental Toughness Course

Watching professional padel is entertaining, but are you actually learning from it?
In this solo episode, Sandy shares how to watch pro padel like a student, not just a fan. Drawing on his experience commentating on Premier Padel for Red Bull and coaching players from complete beginners to national team level, he explains what club players should really be paying attention to.
Instead of focusing on the spectacular smashes and highlight-reel winners, you'll discover how the best players build points, make better decisions, move as a pair, and stay incredibly consistent under pressure.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why watching live padel gives you a completely different perspective.
The biggest mistakes recreational players make when watching the pros.
How to study decision-making instead of copying flashy shots.
What to look for in footwork, positioning, and partner movement.
Why the women's game can be one of the best learning resources for club players.
How to apply what you see in professional matches to improve your own game.
If you want to get more from every Premier Padel match you watch, this episode will completely change the way you see the game.

!!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 
Win Matches with a Stronger Mindset: Get our Mental Toughness Course

Everyone wants a better smash, a sharper vibora, or a more aggressive game. But after watching and coaching players at every level—from beginners to professional tournaments—Sandy and Tom keep coming back to one shot that has the biggest impact on winning matches: the lob.
In this episode, they break down why the quality of your lob dictates who controls the net, why better players consistently hit deeper lobs, and how small improvements in depth and decision-making can transform your results. You'll also learn why many players hit lobs too short under pressure, how the pros find their range early in matches, and why training the lob should be a core part of every player's practice.
In this episode, you'll learn:
 Why the lob is the most important shot in padel 
 The difference between a good lob and a match-winning lob 
 How professional players use the lob to control points 
 Why players often hit short lobs under pressure 
 When to use a high lob versus a fast lob 
 How better decision-making improves your lob success rate 
 Practical ways to train your lob, even without a coach 
 How footwork and ball control directly affect lob quality 
If you want to win more matches, spend less time defending, and take control of the court more often, this episode will change the way you think about the lob. 🎾

!!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 
Win Matches with a Stronger Mindset: Get our Mental Toughness Course

Many players start their padel journey improving quickly, only to hit a frustrating plateau where progress seems to stop. In this episode, Sandy and Tom break down the three key areas they've identified after working with thousands of players worldwide that separate players who keep improving from those who get stuck.
They explore why footwork is the foundation of every shot, how ball control and grip influence consistency, and why having a clear focus every time you step on court can accelerate your learning. Whether you're a beginner looking to build strong fundamentals or an experienced player aiming to reach the next level, this episode provides practical steps you can apply immediately to your game.
In this episode, you'll learn:
 Why footwork is the most overlooked skill in padel 
 How better ball control leads to better decision-making 
 The role of grip in developing consistent technique 
 Why many players plateau despite playing regularly 
 How to create a simple learning routine that speeds up improvement 
 The mental habits that help players improve faster and perform more consistently 
If you're serious about improving your game, this episode will help you focus on the foundations that make the biggest difference. 🎾

!!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 
Win Matches with a Stronger Mindset: Get our Mental Toughness Course