Your Amsterdam padel session: Forward together, back together
Set aside half an hour in Amsterdam for two practice themes: Forward together, back together and The middle belongs to both of you. Start without scoring, then test the same decisions in a short doubles game.
Set aside half an hour in Amsterdam for two practice themes: Forward together, back together and The middle belongs to both of you. Start without scoring, then test the same decisions in a short doubles game.
The first five minutes
One venue for this session is Peakz Kauwgomballenkwartier. When booking, make sure your group has a court together. Start with short, gentle rallies and decide who will feed the first ball before you begin scoring.
05–13 · Forward together, back together
Imagine a loose connection between your positions. If one moves forward, the other must notice and help decide. Large persistent gaps in depth open spaces for opponents.
When the ball goes to one side, shift as a pair. The nearer player covers the direct area; the partner watches the middle. This is a starting point, not a rigid template for every situation.
Practice · Play one slow-motion doubles point. After every lob, one partner calls the next movement. Freeze once and check how far apart you are from front to back.
13–21 · The middle belongs to both of you
Agree how to call balls through the middle. “Mine” and “yours” are enough when called early. A general rule such as “forehand always takes it” can help sometimes but does not replace reading the trajectory.
The better-positioned player can take the middle if communication is clear. The partner covers the space left open. For a lob or a ball behind your partner, short calls such as “time” or “behind” help.
Practice · Send six controlled balls between the opposing pair. Defenders call who takes each one before contact. Count unambiguous calls, then switch roles.
21–30 · Nine minutes with a score
Play the last few minutes as doubles. Choose one of the two themes and remember a point where it worked. After the last ball, describe the moment before the shot: where were the opponents, where was the space and which decision would you repeat?
A question players ask
How can we practise with mixed abilities?
Ask the more consistent player to feed a controlled ball. Count good decisions together at first. Move on to open play once both pairs can repeat the pattern.
