Sandy FarquharsonFounder at The Padel School | Elevating Padel Players' Performance

One of the biggest bandeja mistakes players make? 👇🎾

30 May 2026 · 2 min

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1:42

In this instructional video, the coach identifies a common error among padel players when executing the bandeja: starting the preparation with a low elbow. The low elbow forces players to lift the arm at the moment of contact, leading to a bouncy, uncontrolled shot. The coach demonstrates how to correct this by keeping the elbows high throughout the preparation, visualizing both hands reaching toward the ceiling, and maintaining a proper turn before contact. He also emphasizes the importance of positioning the ball in front of the body and taking an extra step back to ensure optimal contact. The segment concludes with a brief promotion for personalized online coaching through thepadelschool.com, inviting viewers to improve their confidence and skill level.

Chapters

Another common error with the bandeja for a lot of players is not having a high elbow on the preparation. So a lot of players start with the elbow down and then they have to move up to the contact. So the key is to have a high elbow, and I've seen a player here that is always starting with a low elbow. So let's go and fix it. For both you guys, like on the bandeja, the preparation, if I'm starting here, my elbow has to be high. Yeah, yeah. So it's got to be— imagine, imagine like both hands reaching to the ceiling. Okay, and both of you, what's happening is you're starting, you're getting the turn, but the elbow is staying low, which means that if you go to the contact point, you have to go up to the contact, and it's gonna be bouncy. So you really have to exaggerate it for both of you. From here, we need to get that turn with this elbow high. It's going to feel like this, so you're gonna turn, yeah, and then from here, we're gonna come down and contact the ball. Yeah, turn to the side. Yeah, not too high. Yeah, let's get that elbow straight up. So both arms up. That's it. Okay. Yeah, and I know that this is tough because the balls are coming a bit deep, but if you can, you need that ball in front of you, so you have to get even one step further back. Yeah, that's it. Yeah, yeah, that's it. Yeah, if you're looking to gain confidence on the court and clarity over what it takes for you to get yourself to that next level in padel, that's exactly what we do on thepadelschool.com. Sandy and I offer personalized online coaching to all of our players across the world on our platform. Head to the link in bio or thepadelschool.com to learn more.