🦵🏻📍 Win your next match with better positioning

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Welcome back to the Padel FYI Newsletter! We’ve started publishing every Friday afternoon. What do you think?

👍 Poll of the week

Last week’s poll results

Which do you prefer to watch?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🚹 Men’s padel (6)

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🚺 Women’s padel (3)

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Both / no preference (3)

🧨 Quick hits

• Tennis clubs grapple with surge in demand for padel and pickleball

• Novak Djokovic: "Tennis is in danger from padel" in Wimbledon press conference

• Is this the best point of all time? Lebron + Paquito VS Chingotto Galan

• The psychological phases of a padel player: excuse time, the world is against me, tomorrow will be another day, am I really that bad?

• Agustin Gomez Silingo retires

🤩 Level up

🦵🏻📍 Court positioning: the key to your next match

Good court positioning can make or break your padel game. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned competitor, getting your positioning right is crucial. This week, we're breaking down the essentials of backcourt and net positioning to help you dominate the court.

Backcourt Positioning

Start by aligning yourself with the glass separation or one big step back from the service line. This ensures you're in the optimal spot to defend and set up your next move.

Common mistake? Stepping ahead of the service line into "No Man's Land".

This not only puts you out of position - giving your an opponent an ease at which they can put the ball behind you - but also confuses your partner regarding whether they should join you on the way to the net.

Taking the net

When moving to the net, do it together as a pair. Avoid stalling in "No Man's Land" – the space between the service line and the second post. At higher levels, pros use this area as a transition zone, but for most players, it's best to move quickly through it.

Net Positioning

Always return to your primary net position after moving forward to hit a short ball or moving backward to hit a bandeja. If your opponent is struggling, then consider taking a step forward to give yourself an aggressive angle for a fence shot or a smash X4. Note: your partner will need to know to cover behind you in case your opponent defends better than you expected.

Pro Tip: Stay Symmetrical

Position yourself and your partner symmetrically across the court to cover all angles effectively. If the ball is cross-court, one moves closer to the net while the other covers the fence. For down-the-line shots, shift accordingly to maintain coverage.

Cover the middle

You and your partner should constantly shift side to side based on where you play the ball. If the ball is hit to the opponent diagonal to you, you need to cover the middle of the court while your partner needs to cover the down the line shot, and vice versa. When you change the direction of the ball - for example, playing straight after playing diagonally - you run the risk of your partner not reacting quickly enough and the middle or line being uncovered. Advanced opponents will know how to watch for and exploit

Practice Makes Perfect

After each point, freeze and evaluate your positions. This simple habit helps you become more aware of your court positioning, making it second nature over time.

👉 Watch the full video here

🤌 Gear we love

🏓 First Impressions: Spinfire Pro V2 – The Ultimate padel Ball Machine?

The Spinfire Pro V2 is one of the the 3 best ball machines for padel alongside the more expensive (~€3000) Padel Shooter and the less expensive Sligner. Here are my raw, unfiltered first impressions. Spoiler alert: mistakes will be made, but that's all part of the charm.

🚫 No More Ball Jams!

The Spinfire Pro V2 addresses a critical flaw from its predecessor—ball jamming. Previous models had a notorious reputation for getting balls stuck, but this new version has nearly eradicated that issue. A serious win for those who value seamless practice sessions.

💸 Price Tag and Premium Features

Let’s talk numbers. This machine costs around $2,000 USD, depending on the accessories and battery options you choose. It’s a premium machine, and here’s why: It has two ball throwers. Unlike cheaper machines, which only have one, the dual throwers allow you to adjust the spin of the ball independently of its speed. This is crucial for padel players who need to avoid that awkward topspin crawl up the wall.

📦 Portability and Handling

At 25 kilos, the Spinfire Pro V2 is hefty but manageable. Teo notes that while it fits snugly into his small car, it’s not the most comfortable to carry. However, the large wheels and handle make it easy to roll around like a trolley. Just be gentle when navigating curbs and steps.

🔋 Battery Life

The battery life is another vital aspect. Rated to last at least 3 hours, this can vary based on your settings. If you’re firing balls every 2-3 seconds at maximum power, expect a quicker drain. Teo used it for an hour without any issues, so it's safe to say it holds up well under moderate use.

🎾 On-Court Performance

Two standout features make the Spinfire Pro V2 a game-changer:

1. Dual Throwing Wheels: As mentioned, these allow for precise control over the ball’s spin, making it invaluable for padel players who need specific types of shots.

2. Internal Oscillation: Unlike machines that visibly change direction, the Spinfire’s internal oscillation means you can’t predict where the next ball will go. This feature is particularly useful for practicing footwork and improving your cardio.

🏋️ Pressureless Balls and Settings

I used pressureless balls with the machine. They. feel about 70% like fresh, regular balls but with a harder, more plasticky feel. The machine can hold up to 150 balls, making for extensive practice sessions without constant reloading.

The control panel offers various settings, including ball interval, speed, and spin. These allow you to tailor your practice session to your specific needs. Teo found that adjusting these settings took a bit of trial and error, but he eventually got into the groove.

🥇 Padel-Specific Drills

The machine comes with two custom padel drills:

• Padel One: Focuses on different depth lobs.

• Padel Two: Combines forehand and backhand volleys with lobs.

👥 Who Should Get This Machine?

The Spinfire Pro V2 is ideal for:

1. Players without access to experienced padel coaches: Perfect for solo practice.

2. Parents or busy individuals: Great for those who find it hard to find alone time for practice.

3. Clubs: Potential to offer additional training services.

This machine isn’t just for individual enthusiasts; it’s a tool that clubs might consider to enhance their training offerings.

If you have any questions or want to see specific features reviewed, drop a comment or subscribe to the newsletter.

👀 Check out the full video review here.

🏝️ Dream court of the week

🇳🇱 Holy Padel, Arnhem, the Netherlands

Need to pray for your bandejas to go in? Well, maybe try kneeling at the alter of Holy Padel (actual club name 🤣). They’ve converted a beautiful church into a unique padel club. €44 for 90minutes.

📺 What to watch

🇪🇸 Malaga Premier Padel P1 - until Sunday

Tune in at Redbull