The Padel School Podcast

Epizodai

• Inside the London Premier Padel: Wildcards, Underdogs & British Hopes 17.07.2026 13min

  London is hosting Premier Padel for the very first time—and it's set to be one of the biggest events in British padel history. In this episode, Sandy and Tom break down everything you need to know before the tournament begins, with a special focus on Team GB's wildcard entries and what it really means to compete against the world's best players. They explain how the wildcard system works, why underdogs can be dangerous, which British players to watch, and how playing at home could give them ...
• Why Great Padel Clubs Build Coaching Teams—Not Just Hire Coaches 11.07.2026 21min

  A great coaching programme is never built around just one coach. It's built around a team that shares the same vision, values, and approach to player development. In this episode, Sandy sits down with Ayden Rhodes, club manager at Coalition Padel to discuss what separates great coaching teams from average ones. The Padel School Johannesburg Academy is based at Coalition and this was filmed during a recent coach education trip with the team. Whether you're a club owner, head coach, or part of ...
• Steal These Pro Padel Habits to Improve Faster 01.07.2026 13min

  Watching professional padel is entertaining, but are you actually learning from it? In this solo episode, Sandy shares how to watch pro padel like a student, not just a fan. Drawing on his experience commentating on Premier Padel for Red Bull and coaching players from complete beginners to national team level, he explains what club players should really be paying attention to. Instead of focusing on the spectacular smashes and highlight-reel winners, you'll discover how the best players build...
• Why Your Lob Is Holding You Back (And How to Fix It) 18.06.2026 14min

  Everyone wants a better smash, a sharper vibora, or a more aggressive game. But after watching and coaching players at every level—from beginners to professional tournaments—Sandy and Tom keep coming back to one shot that has the biggest impact on winning matches: the lob. In this episode, they break down why the quality of your lob dictates who controls the net, why better players consistently hit deeper lobs, and how small improvements in depth and decision-making can transform your results...
• Why You're Not Improving at Padel (And the 3 Skills That Change Everything) 14.06.2026 18min

  Many players start their padel journey improving quickly, only to hit a frustrating plateau where progress seems to stop. In this episode, Sandy and Tom break down the three key areas they've identified after working with thousands of players worldwide that separate players who keep improving from those who get stuck. They explore why footwork is the foundation of every shot, how ball control and grip influence consistency, and why having a clear focus every time you step on court can acceler...
• Three Game-Changing Habits for Padel Players 05.06.2026 11min

  Have you reached a point where your padel game feels stuck? In this episode, we uncover the three biggest reasons players stop improving—and, more importantly, what they can do about it. Drawing on years of experience coaching everyone from complete beginners to national-level athletes, we break down the three essential pillars of long-term improvement: footwork, ball control, and consistent confidence. You'll learn why these often-overlooked foundations have a bigger impact on your performan...
• The Hidden Injury Risks in Padel (And How to Avoid Them) 23.05.2026 18min

  Padel is addictive… but that’s also part of the problem. 🎾 Players go from never playing to spending hours on court every week, often without preparing their body properly. Add poor warm-ups, the wrong shoes, wet conditions, bad technique, or unsafe habits on court, and injuries quickly become common. In this episode, Sandy and Tom break down: ✅ Why so many padel players get injured ✅ The importance of proper warm-ups and routines ✅ How technique and equipment affect your body ✅ When conditio...
• Beat Better Padel Players: The Real Secrets to Winning More Matches 14.05.2026 16min

  Why do some players always seem impossible to beat — even when they don’t look technically superior? In this episode, Sandy and Tom break down what truly separates stronger players from the rest, and more importantly, how you can close that gap faster than you think. From consistency, tactical discipline, and shot selection to mental resilience and avoiding the trap of overplaying, this conversation reveals why most club players lose to better opponents before they even realize what’s happeni...
• Why Your First 10 Minutes Decide Your Match 10.05.2026 13min

  In this episode, we break down why most players lose their matches in the first 10 minutes—and how to make sure you’re not one of them. From rushing straight from work onto court, skipping warm-ups, lacking tactical clarity, or simply starting too slowly, many recreational players unknowingly sabotage their performance before the match has even properly begun. We explore how elite players, national competitors, and top-performing club players use pre-match routines to create consistency, conf...
• Off-Court Training Secrets: How to Improve Your Padel Game Faster 01.05.2026 18min

  In this episode, we explore one of the most overlooked ways to accelerate your padel improvement: what you do off the court. Many recreational players believe that simply playing more matches is the fastest path to getting better. While matches are important, they often only take players so far before bad habits, technical flaws, and performance plateaus begin to appear. We break down why relying solely on match play can actually slow long-term progress—and what players should be doing instea...
• The One-Thing Rule That Will Transform Your Padel Game 27.04.2026 21min

  In this episode, we break down one of the most common mistakes players make when trying to improve: trying to fix too many things at once. Instead of progressing, players often overload themselves with technical thoughts—especially on key shots like the bandeja—and end up executing none of them well. The real key? Simplifying your focus. We discuss why narrowing your attention to just one or two specific areas of a shot can accelerate your improvement and help you build real consistency. We a...
• The Truth About Padel and Tennis: Friends or Rivals? 18.04.2026 15min

  In this episode, we dive into one of the biggest questions in racquet sports right now: is padel truly complementary to tennis… or is it quietly replacing it? With more tennis clubs introducing padel courts, there’s a growing belief that the two sports can thrive side by side. But is that really what’s happening? Or are we seeing a shift, with players moving from tennis to padel rather than balancing both? We explore how participation trends are changing, why padel is attracting both tennis p...
• Why You’re Stuck at 3.5–4.0 (And How to Break Through) 09.04.2026 15min

  Why do so many players get stuck at the 3.5–4.0 level? In this episode, we break down the real reasons behind the plateau—and why simply playing more matches won’t fix it. We explore how early improvement can be misleading, especially for players coming from other racket sports, and why missing fundamentals like footwork, preparation, and positioning eventually catch up with you. We also unpack the biggest misconception: that going back to basics means going backwards—when in reality, it’s th...
• Why Your Padel Shoes Matter More Than You Think 01.04.2026 8min

  Footwear is one of the most overlooked parts of padel—but it plays a huge role in both performance and injury prevention. In this episode, we break down what the pros do, from changing into court-specific shoes before stepping on court to choosing the right sole for modern surfaces. We dive into the common mistakes we see at clubs especially players wearing running shoes—and explain why they’re simply not designed for the lateral movement, stopping, and turning that padel demands. It’s not ju...
• Group vs Private Lessons: What Actually Works in Padel? 25.03.2026 11min

  Are individual padel lessons really the best way to improve? In this episode, Sandy and Tom break down the role of private coaching vs group sessions. While one-on-one lessons can be powerful for fixing specific technical issues—especially with video analysis—they explore why they’ve become so popular, and whether that’s always justified. From the appeal of a “VIP” coaching experience to the realities of how clubs structure their sessions, they uncover how culture shapes what players believe ...
• Why Now Is the Best Time to Climb the Rankings 19.03.2026 20min

  How much do rankings really mean in padel right now? In this episode, Sandy and Tom explore the reality of rankings in a fast-growing sport. Unlike tennis, where rankings are well-established and clearly reflect level, padel is still evolving — and that creates a very different landscape. They discuss why a top 50 ranking in the UK doesn’t always tell the full story, how players can climb quickly through tournaments and partnerships, and why this current phase presents a unique opportunity. A...
• What Pros Change When the Conditions Are Fast 11.03.2026 21min

  In this episode, Sandy and Tom explore one of the most overlooked aspects of padel: how conditions change the game. From fast, hot tournaments like Riyadh to cold indoor clubs in the UK, the environment can dramatically affect tactics, shot selection, and decision-making. The discussion breaks down how professional players adapt during tournaments, why conditions can create unexpected upsets, and what recreational players should adjust in their own matches. They cover the impact of temperatur...
• Stop Staying Silent: How Communication Wins Points 04.03.2026 11min

  Communication in padel isn’t optional — it’s tactical. In this episode, we break down one of the simplest but most misunderstood parts of partnership: talking when your partner gets lobbed. When the ball goes over them, they can’t see what’s happening in front of the court — and that’s where you come in. We explore how giving clear, calm information (“they’re both back,” “one’s closing,” “space crosscourt”) can completely change the quality of the next shot. This isn’t about shouting for the ...
• Talent Doesn’t Build Academies — Structure Does 25.02.2026 18min

  In this episode, we tackle a misconception that’s slowing down padel’s development in emerging countries: the belief that a great player automatically makes a great coach — or can build a successful academy. We explore why playing level and coaching ability are two very different skill sets, and why structure, long-term programming, and volume matter far more than individual talent. As the sport grows, especially in newer markets, relying on the “best current player” to lead development can c...
• When a Top Player Calls… What Happens Next? 20.02.2026 20min

  What happens when the call comes in? In professional padel, partnerships can change overnight. One phone call from a top player — maybe even someone like Juan Lebrón — and suddenly everything shifts. Loyalty, results, ambition… it all gets tested. In this episode, we unpack the reality behind “the call up.” How do players handle it when a bigger opportunity appears? What happens to the partner left behind? And how do you balance personal ambition with respect for the team that helped you succ...