Technical-Tactical Actions of Continuity in Professional and Amateur Padel: A Comparative Analysis by Sex and Level

The relationship between shot type and court surface in technical-tactical continuity actions was analyzed, considering player sex and competition level in padel.

One hundred eighty amateur games (90 male and 90 female) and 180 professional games (90 male and 90 female) were observed, ensuring intraobserver and interobserver reliability using Cohen κ. Descriptive (frequency and percentage) and inferential (chi-square, Cramer V, and corrected standard residuals) analyses were conducted.

Results revealed a significant association (P < .001) between shot type, court area, player sex, and competition level. Specifically, differences in technical-tactical actions and their court location were evident across player categories and sexes. In amateur men's padel, forehands, back-wall forehands, contraparedes, and powerful smashes are performed more frequently. Professional men's padel features more fence shots, backhand volleys, drop shots, viboras, and fake smashes. In amateur women's padel, forehands, back-wall forehands, forehand bajadas, drop shots, slow smashes, and powerful smashes are more common. Professional women's padel, however, sees more backhands, double walls, bandejas, and fake smashes. Furthermore, in men's padel, amateurs hit more continuation shots from zone 6, whereas professionals hit more from zone 1. In women's padel, amateurs hit more continuation shots from zones 1, 4, 5, and 6, whereas professionals hit more from zones 2 and 3.

These findings highlight the necessity for players to adapt their playing strategies based on their level and sex to optimize point construction and increase competitive success. Consequently, coaches should design targeted training programs that align with the demands of their players' sex and skill level.