What is a forehand in padel and how can you master it?

In the quest for the perfect game, it is important to have solid fundamentals. The same fundamentals that can save you in a match when nothing is working or when you are going through a bad patch. And among them, the forehand. A fairly easy, rather intuitive shot, there are many ways to use it to put opponents under pressure. If your forehand is shaky, your opponents will sense it and play on it. That is why it is important to be solid on both sides. Here are some tips to make your forehand as hard as iron!

The basics of the forehand in padel

Hitting techniques

At the start, you need to choose your grip carefully, how you hold the padel racket. To begin with, favour a flat shot and therefore a hammer grip or a slightly angled grip, then you can vary your grips to vary the spin and surprise your opponents. The grip is important because it is what will influence the direction of the ball after your shot.

For beginners, a hammer grip is therefore preferred, with a movement that goes from low to high. At a higher level, many shots are played with a more open grip to give the ball a sliced (cut) effect. This effect provides more control and the ball stays lower. However, the slice is used more on the backhand than on the forehand and remains a defensive shot. 

To give your ball consistency and send it in the desired direction, it is important to move forward with it and follow through. Whether after a glass wall or not, ideally you should take the ball from a stationary position and use the momentum of your shot to move forward with the ball, most often by at least one step, or more if you want to follow the shot to the volée. To give you an image, your racket is a scarf that you need to bring down over your left shoulder if you are right-handed. This will make you follow through with your arm movement and move your right foot forward. 

Knowing how to read your opponents' game

Now that you know how to execute your forehand well, it is time to know where to send it. In padel, it is essential to know that power is not always your ally and that a powerful shot is sometimes not the solution. The aim is to build the point, which is most often won at the net. You therefore need to access this attacking area. To do this, lobs are your best ally, especially on the forehand, which is much easier than on the backhand. 

The easy option on the forehand is to play diagonally in order to expose yourself less to your opponents' replies, whether for you or your partner. However, when your opponents are at the net and the ball is playable, the preferred shot is a fairly slow return, around the service line in the middle between the two players. If the players decide to take it as a volée, the shot must be played below the net, which is never easy and can give you a playable ball to attack. If they let it pass, it will normally make its second bounce before hitting the glass: also difficult to retrieve. All without power. 

How can you improve your forehand in padel?

 Several things should be prioritised, including, of course, choosing the right padel racket. Indeed, despite all the technique and tactics you can learn, if the racket is suited to your level and playing style, learning will immediately be easier. Indeed, there is no best padel racket, only rackets suited to padel players. If you have a racket that is too demanding when you are a beginner, your shots will be out of control and you will have very little control over the balls. In addition, you could injure yourself because of the racket's stiffness. The impact of racket weight is also a cause of injury: high-end rackets are often heavier. 

Conversely, if you play at an advanced level and have a softer, less explosive racket, the shots will not be suited to the type of racket and you may risk tendinitis or other injuries. Check out our product sheets and other articles to see what type of racket you need to take your game to the next level! 

Practical tips for perfecting your forehand

To improve at padel, it works like in all sports: repetition. By repeating the movements, your forehand will become increasingly reliable and solid. Playing padel matches, especially against different types of players, will allow you to develop your range of shots according to your opponent's game. Taking lessons at a padel club with a coach will also give you a fresh perspective on your game, as well as specific exercises to correct flaws, such as mastering your net game, for example.  

Watching professional players play can also teach you a lot technically, but above all tactically, especially in the women's game, where they play with less power but more touch. Check out the various Premier Padel broadcasters on YouTube or TV. If you spot a match with very good players at your club, do not hesitate to take a look; you will surely learn two or three useful things! 

How can you optimise the use of the forehand?

When your opponent misses their shot and sends you back an easy ball to return, whether it is soft or straight, it is up to you to take action! You will then need to establish an attacking strategy based on different criteria: a lob if your opponents are far enough forward on the court, a topspin shot if they are at the back of the court, or a smash if the ball's trajectory allows it and you are in a good position to play it. What matters is the ball contact area; it will determine whether your attack is successful.