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Technique & tactics · 32 lessons

Padel Smash: How to Kick Smash Like a Pro

The Padel Kick Smash, a lethal weapon to winning a point in padel. Image source: Hello Padel Academy.

The kick smash is the most spectacular shot in padel — the only one that can definitively end a point even at the pro level. It’s also the most overhit shot at amateur level. Watch any club night anywhere and you’ll see beginners trying to murder lobs with flat smashes that bounce off the back glass straight back into their own chests. The kick smash is the answer to that. Done right, the ball clears the back glass entirely and rolls into the parking lot. Done wrong, you set yourself up for a counter that ends the point against you.

Most beginners get this shot wrong for one reason: they go for power instead of spin. They watch Galán launch a ball into row Z at Premier Padel Madrid and think the answer is a bigger swing. It isn’t. The kick smash is a topspin shot first and a power shot a distant second — the spin is what makes the ball bounce out of the cage, not the speed. If you’re new to padel itself and not just the kick smash, start with our guide to what is padel for the basics first.

This article is the un-watered-down version: how the shot actually works, when to use it, when not to, and the specific mistakes I see at every US club I’ve played at. No “comprehensive guide” filler.

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Which Side Should I Play in Padel?

Man and woman on a blue padel court. Who plays on what side? Photo by Vincenzo Morelli.

One of the first questions every new padel player asks is: which side of the court should I play? It sounds simple, but it shapes everything — how you hit, how you move, how you support your partner, and how quickly you improve. With padel booming across the US and new courts opening from Miami to Los Angeles, more and more players are stepping onto a padel court for the first time and asking exactly this question.

The short answer is that most right-handed beginners should start on the right side, and most left-handers on the left. But understanding why — and knowing when to switch — will make you a much smarter player. Let’s break it all down.

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Valid Padel Point or Not? Dubious Padel Points Explained

Padel has rules that don’t exist in any other racket sport. Balls bouncing off glass walls and flying back into play, shots leaving through fence openings, players reaching across the net — situations that would be immediately clear in tennis are genuinely ambiguous in padel. As the sport takes off across the US, more players at clubs in New York, Chicago, Miami, and Los Angeles are stepping onto a padel court for the first time and discovering just how different the point-scoring system feels. This guide cuts through the confusion and gives you clear, confident answers to padel’s trickiest situations.

Whether you’re settling a disputed point mid-match or just trying to get your head around the rules before you play, this is the reference you need. For a full introduction to how the game works, start with the complete beginner’s guide to padel.

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How to Build a Padel Court

An outdoor Padel court.

Padel is a major sport worldwide, and it has exploded in popularity across the United States since 2022. Courts are now available in most major cities, including Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Chicago.

Often known as padel tennis, it’s a popular social sport that individuals of all ages and skills may enjoy.

You may be unsure about the best method to follow when planning to create a padel court or start a club. This post will show you how to accomplish it one step at a time — covering everything from permits and planning approvals to choosing the right dimensions, materials, and surface, all the way through step-by-step installation and long-term maintenance.

Padel courts will almost certainly require a building permit. However, this depends on the nation and region. Before you begin, make sure to verify with your local authorities.

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Kids Padel: Get them to share your interest in playing Padel

Young girl learning Padel by doing kids drills. Image source: tenisgimeno.com.

Padel is a competitive sport that helps children learn a new skill, gain confidence and make friends on and off the court.

It brings many benefits like physical coordination and balance and is a fun activity that can boost self-esteem. The question is, what is the best age to introduce children to the sport?

Let’s look go over the basics and benefits of playing Padel. We’ll look at how to find your local padel court, how to motivate children and get them into sports, and the Padel rules for beginners.

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How to warm up for Padel (Beginner’s Guide)

Two girls inside a gym perhaps warming up for a Padel game. Photo by Meghan Holmes.

You’ve booked the court, you’ve got your racket, and your partner just texted that they’re five minutes away. But before you step into that glass box and start swinging, there’s one thing that separates smart padel players from the ones nursing a shoulder injury by week three: a proper warm-up. With padel growing fast across the US — from purpose-built clubs in New York and Austin to pop-up courts in suburban tennis facilities — more players are learning this lesson the hard way.

Padel is a deceptively explosive sport. The glass walls, the low-bounce ball, and the fast net exchanges mean your body goes from zero to full effort in seconds. Without a proper warm-up, you’re asking cold muscles and stiff joints to handle hard sprints, sudden lateral changes, and overhead smashes. That’s a recipe for an injury that’ll keep you off the court for weeks.

This guide covers everything: the off-court dynamic warm-up you should do before you pick up a racket, the structured on-court ball warm-up, how long to spend on each phase, and what to do at the end to cool down properly. Let’s get into it.

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What Is a Tiebreak in Padel?

Padel is highly similar to tennis. There are few distinctions, like how a padel court (33 x 66 feet) is 1/3 of a tennis court.

Tennis is checkers, while padel is chess.

Lee Sponaugle, President of All Racquet Sports

But tennis and padel rules are essentially the same. If you need a full refresher on the basics, check out our beginner’s guide to how to play padel.

Following that, the tiebreak games are also the same. If both teams tie at 6-6 in a set (six games), the tiebreak winner wins with a 7-6 score.

Let’s learn more, shall we?

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Padel vs Tennis: Key Differences Every Player Should Know

If you come from a tennis background, padel probably caught your eye because it looks familiar. Two sides of a court, a net in the middle, a fuzzy yellow ball. But step onto a padel court and you will quickly realize these are two very different sports. From the enclosed glass walls to the solid rackets, padel has its own identity, its own tactics, and its own learning curve.

In this guide, we break down every major difference between padel and tennis so you know exactly what to expect before your first match.

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Sweet Spot in Padel Rackets

Padel racket shapes and their respective balance and power vs control

Are you shopping for a new padel racket? Don’t pick up any old padel racket when you walk into the shop!

Check the shape of the head first. The shape of the head on a padel racket will determine where its sweet spot is and can give you more control over your shots.

In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to find the perfect padel racket.

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When to replace your Padel Racket

Padel Rackets next to Padel Court in Sweden. Photo by Oskar Hagberg.

Padel tennis rackets are one of the essentials for padel players. The best racket for advanced players is usually made of a carbon fiber racket face, carbon frame, and EVA rubber core. 

Carbon fiber bats offer more power, resistance, and durability. It’s designed for the player to have a good grip plus a nice spin on the ball upon contact. 

On the other hand, beginner padel rackets are made of fiberglass face and frame and a foam core material.

Fiberglass rackets are less resistant and durable compared to carbon fiber bats. Hence, it’s only suitable for occasional practice matches. 

But, no matter what materials were used, your padel tennis racket will eventually lose its shape and show signs of wear and tear.

When the racket loses its shape, it consequently loses its ability to give a good spin and will affect how you play the game. 

Once you feel that it no longer has enough elastic properties to give a powerful blow and start noticing a vibration upon contact, it’s HIGH TIME to change your racket. 

If you don’t know what signs to look for to change padel racket, read on! We’ll explain all these to you in detail.

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