P1 Forehand Drive: From Grip to Follow-Through

The padel forehand drive is simpler than tennis because the smaller court requires less power. Start in continental grip with feet shoulder-width apart, non-dominant shoulder pointing toward the net. Rotate your shoulders to the side, bringing the racket back to waist height—the backswing should be short (not a full tennis backswing). Your weight shifts onto your back foot. The forward swing accelerates smoothly, with your hips rotating first, then shoulders, then arm. Contact the ball at hip height, roughly 12 inches in front of your body. At the moment of contact, your weight shifts forward to your front foot. The follow-through is short and controlled, with the racket finishing at shoulder height. Many P1 players overly rotate or use excessive backswing—padel rewards compact, efficient strokes. Aim for a flat trajectory with slight topspin. Practice with a toss partner first, hitting at 70% power to build consistency.