tennis
How to manage the wind and padel combinationPlaying padel outdoors on a windy day may not be the most comfortable gaming experience, even for experienced athletes. But, as with the field wet from the rain, even in case of wind and lateral gusts it is possible to adopt some techniques to improve your performance.
Playing indoors or on a covered court would certainly be ideal, but if that's not possible…
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Padel in strong winds: can you play?
There's no real ban on playing padel in strong winds on outdoor courts. But as with rain, we recommend waiting for better weather. When the wind is very strong, especially if it's lateral gusts, playing could become a real nightmare in the chase of deviated trajectories and unpredictable shots.
Better to wait for better weather! But if we're talking about a limited wind, but still enough to affect the game, then there are some techniques you need to know. That's if you want to win the match.
Stiffness of play: avoid it in windy conditions!
The first tip we can give you to be successful in the game even in windy conditions is don't be rigid in the gameFollow the ball, move, stay active. This will help you always be prepared in case of a last-minute deviation from your trajectory caused by a gust of wind. That's why you should follow the ball closely. with the body and not just with your arms!
Don't overdo it and don't look for the point on the line
In windy conditions and padel, it's best to be cautious and always remember that the trajectory could be deviated, even significantly, by a sudden gust. Therefore, it's best to avoid looking for points too close to the edges of the gameWe could end up with the ball out and a point lost, even if we've done everything correctly. It's better to play safe and aim for balls in the center of the court.
Wait for the ball to bounce
While a fast paced game is always more competitive, in this case it is better wait for the rebound after a lob to make sure you hit the right spot.
Adjust the strength of the blow
As in all racket sports, adjusting the force of your stroke is crucial. But in the case of padel and wind, we have two additional variables to consider: the direction of the wind and its strengthIf we're playing against the wind, we should apply more force to our shot to avoid it hitting the net. If, on the other hand, we're playing against the wind, we should use a light touch to avoid hitting the back wall of the court.
What if the gusts are lateral? This type of wind is the one more difficult to manage, because it is the one that most deviates the trajectories of the shots. In this case, except in the case of perfectly horizontal volleys, we try to direct the ball slightly against the wind to anticipate the deviation.
Wind and paddle tennis: watch out for windows
An additional precaution to take in case of strong winds during the match is to protect the windows. For two reasons:
- windows not fixed properly – as often happens – they vibrate excessively in case of lateral gusts and can significantly deviate from the trajectory of the ball;
- Improperly secured glass is at risk of breakage In case of strong winds: it is best to notify the owners of your padel center in case of excessive noise.
Generally speaking, if the glass panels are properly secured and protected by a layer of aluminum foil separating the glass from the metal rails, there shouldn't be any problems. However, the glass parts of the padel court are delicate and the necessary maintenance isn't always performed regularly, so... be careful!
The importance of a cover in case of wind and padel
In case of wind, we understand how much a padel cover could increase the comfort of the game, offering a significant benefit to entrepreneurs and athletes. Don't want to give up playing outdoors when the weather permits? Ours would probably be the best choice. Electric Cover. A cover with patented electric technology that features:
- sensors for automatic closing in case of rain and wind;
- open-close button on the edge of the pitch.
This comfort will be a sure competitive advantage for the center! Below are some photos of our latest electric-covered courts.
