Analysis of game actions in professional male padel

Abstract

The goals of this study were (a) to define a technical and tactical analysis standardized tool for padel, (b) carry a descriptive analysis of play actions and tactical aspects in masculine professional padel. An observational design was employed, constructing an observational instrument designed ad hoc. A total of eight padel matches (8.541 actions) pertaining to World padel Tour 2014 professional circuit were analyzed. Data was registered regarding the player executing each shot, his situation in the playing court, the type of shot, the trajectory, depth and route of the ball and the consequence of the analyzed shot for a total of 8,581 shot actions. Amongst the types of shots executed the following stand out: forehand and backhand volleys (16.6% and 13% respectively), backhands (12.4%), first serve (11.2%) and forehand (10.7%). Crossed trajectories (57.5%) prevail over parallel trajectories (42.5%). The zone in the playing field from which the most shots were executed was the back court (49.1%), followed by the net zone (26.4%) and the transition zone (19.3%). Percentages were registered for intercepted shots (87.6%), unforced errors (5.5%), winning points (4.7%) and forced errors (2.1%). The shots with which the greatest number of winning points were registered were the smash (45.9%), forehand drop shot (7.9%), the forehand and backhand volleys (5.7% and 3.4% respectively) and the tray shot (3.5%). In conclusion, the most frequent shots in a professional padel match are drives and backhands from the back court, volleys, tray shots and smashes. In every game point there often is a long exchange of shots, specially crossed shots, which mainly finish with unforced errors by the opponent or volley, smash or tray shot winning points.

Los objetivos de este estudio fueron: (a) definir una herramienta estandarizada de análisis técnico-táctico en pádel, (b) realizar un análisis descriptivo de las ac-ciones de juego y aspectos tácticos en el pádel profe-sional masculino. Se utilizó un diseño observacional construyendo un instrumento de observación específico diseñado ad hoc. Se analizaron 8 partidos del circuito profesional World Padel Tour 2014 y un total de 8.541 acciones de golpeo, registrando para cada una el juga-dor que realiza el golpe, su ubicación en la pista, el tipo de golpe, la trayectoria, profundidad y recorrido de la bola y la consecuencia del golpe. Entre los tipos de gol-pe destacan las voleas de revés y derecha (16.6% y 13% respectivamente), revés (12.4%), primer servicio (11.2%) y derecha (10.7%). Predominan las trayectorias cruzadas (57.5%) sobre las paralelas (42.5%). La zona desde la que más se golpea es la de fondo (49.1%), seguida de la zona de red (26.4%) y la de transición (19.3%). Se regis-traron porcentajes del 87.6% en golpes interceptados, 5.5% de errores no forzados, 4.7% de puntos ganadores y 2.1% de errores forzados. Los golpes con los que se registró un mayor número de puntos ganadores fueron el remate (45.9%), bajada de pared de derecha (7.9%), voleas de derecha y revés (5.7% y 3.4% respectivamen-te) y bandeja (3.5%). En conclusión, los golpes más fre-cuentes en un partido de pádel profesional son la dere-cha y revés de fondo, voleas, bandeja y remate. En cada punto suelen sucederse largos intercambios de golpes, sobre todo cruzados, que mayoritariamente finalizan con errores no forzados del rival o puntos ganadores de volea, remate y bandeja.