Padel forehand and backhand technique: prepare early
By The Party People,
Padel forehand and backhand technique starts before the ball arrives: prepare your racket early, stay ready for a faster feed, then repeat each shot with feedback. Head coach Adrian Cordon Martinez, known as Coach Adrian, guided Miwa through alternating forehands and backhands on an indoor court at Padel Party.
Coach Adrian guided Miwa through forehand and backhand practice, focusing on early racket preparation and adapting to quicker feeds. You can watch the coaching session on Instagram and learn about Padel Party, an indoor padel arena in Sawangan, Depok.
The practice took place on a court with glass walls and wire fencing. Padel Party has six indoor glass courts, providing a setting for players to work on these basic strokes with a coach.
Building padel forehand and backhand technique
Early preparation is the key shared habit in both strokes: get the racket ready before the ball reaches you. That gives you time to respond when the incoming feed speeds up, rather than beginning your preparation after the ball arrives.
Miwa practised alternating forehands and backhands as Coach Adrian fed the ball. The focus stayed on being ready for each delivery and repeating the shots while listening to the coach’s feedback. The session moved from practice at a manageable pace to faster feeds, asking Miwa to react sooner.
For players working on these strokes, the useful takeaway is to treat preparation as part of every shot. A ready racket supports the transition between forehand and backhand, while repeated attempts give the coach opportunities to offer guidance. These cues come directly from the work on court, not from adding extra stroke mechanics to the lesson.
Three steps for practising padel forehand and backhand technique
Use a simple progression that follows the session’s emphasis: prepare, react and repeat.
- Prepare early. Set the racket before the ball reaches you. Keep that preparation in mind whether you expect a forehand or a backhand.
- React to the feed. Start with the coach’s delivery, then stay alert when the ball comes faster. The aim is to adjust your response while keeping the racket ready.
- Repeat with feedback. Alternate the two strokes and listen to your coach between repetitions. Use the next attempt to apply the cue you have just received.
This sequence keeps the drill focused on the actual challenge: switching between forehand and backhand while staying prepared. It also gives a coach room to adjust the feed and offer a specific cue without changing the purpose of the practice.
Common mistakes and a forehand-backhand drill
Starting racket preparation too late is a common mistake in this drill because it leaves less time to react to the feed. Use the table to spot the issue and make a practical adjustment.
| Mistake | Effect | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Preparing the racket only after the ball arrives | You have less time to respond | Get the racket ready before the ball reaches you |
| Losing readiness when the feed speeds up | The faster delivery becomes harder to meet | Stay alert and prepare early for each ball |
| Repeating shots without using the coach’s cue | The same preparation issue can carry into the next attempt | Listen to the feedback and apply it on the next repetition |
For the drill, have a coach feed balls for alternating forehands and backhands. Keep the racket ready ahead of each delivery, then repeat as the coach increases the pace and gives feedback. The faster feed is a progression from the practice Miwa worked through with Coach Adrian, not a reason to rush preparation.
Players interested in coaching can check the Padel Party coaching team and review court and coaching rates. The Padel Party app includes session history and coaching reports, while the Padel Party Youth Academy offers structured training for players aged 6 to 16. These options help players and families find a suitable route for continued practice without assuming every session follows the same plan.
Take your padel forehand and backhand technique to court
Book a coached practice to work on early racket preparation, alternating shots and responding to faster feeds. Use the cues from this session as a starting point, then let your coach guide your repetitions and feedback. You can book a court on Courtside and revisit the coaching session on Instagram.