Out-of-court touch winner
From outside the court, a soft ball that drops just over the net while the opponents are deep.
When to play it
When you are outside the court and the opponents have stayed deep. Where the club and the event allow playing outside.
How to play it
Run out through the door and get behind the ball. Play it softly so it drops just over the net. Run back in.
Common mistakes
Playing it when an opponent is at the net. Hitting the court structure. A ball off the net post that lands in their court is still good.
Rules for this shot
Questions
Is the out-of-court touch winner legal in padel?
Depends on whether out-of-court play is authorised (Rule 16). Where it is, playing from outside does not lose the point (Rule 13p), and the ball must return and bounce in their court under the usual tests (Rule 14j).