Feeding Can Make or Break a Lesson

Feeding is one of the most underestimated skills in padel coaching.

A poor feed can make a student feel like they cannot perform the shot.

A great feed creates an opportunity for success.

And success creates confidence.

Confidence makes the student enjoy the experience.

That is how players begin falling in love with the sport.

Feeding is much more complicated than simply sending balls toward a student.

A coach must understand:

• Speed

• Direction

• Height

• Rhythm

• Sequence

• Timing

• Recovery time

• Court position

• Basket position

• Number of players

Feeding one player is different from feeding four.

Feeding a beginner is different from feeding an advanced player.

Even the timing between balls changes depending on the objective of the exercise.

When I evaluate coaches, feeding tells me a tremendous amount about their ability to teach.