A racket adapted to your playing identity: the key to performance!

It offers plethoric, diversity of shapes and foams, not to mention technologies… It is not It’s not easy to find the racket that suits us best. at padel. Certainly, in this matter, Padel Magazine can benefit from the expert eye of Stéphane Penso. Nox, Wilson, Kuikma, Black Crown, Starvie and other Babolat… Nothing escapes the analysis of the one who is one of the best “serial testers” in France. However, if the description of the material is important, the suitability with the one who handles it is just as much.

Andoni Bardasco on the fly, academy Padel Stuff Bilbao — Copyright DR

“Rackets are very often unsuitable for the player”

During a recent internship carried out at the academy Padel Stuff of Bilbao, we had the opportunity to discuss the subject with the Head Coach, Andoni Bardasco. According to this former professional (he was ranked 25th in the world in 2014), the players who come to his place mostly have a inadequate material. " This is very common: I observe that the material is unsuitable, whether it's shoes or rackets. The latter do not match the player's playing style, or even their level: it is my responsibility to point this out to them », He explains. " For example, I see trainees whose level is good and who play with soft rackets. This is the case for former tennis players: as they have a good touch of the ball, they play with soft rackets, even very soft ones, which is a mistake because it harms their performance. Conversely, I see trainees whose level is modest, but who play with expert rackets, which can lead to them having risks of tendonitis or elbow pain... »

An intern of Padel Stuff, Bilbao Academy — Copyright DR

Interns looking for suitable equipment

Since opening his academy in Bilbao in 2022, Andoni Bardasco has welcomed more than 450 trainees. In addition to the technique and tactical aspects, it provides those who wish it with oobservations on the nature of the snowshoes they use. " I had several rackets at the club, from the same Spanish brand. I offered them for testing, in a completely disinterested manner. The players used them throughout the week to get an idea, based on my advice on the weight, the nature of the foam or even the shape of the racket. Over time, I realized that The vast majority of players bought one of these rackets before returning home, especially mine.…That's why I finally started looking into it. »

Rackets Padel Stuff — Copyright Padel Stuff

Two models of snowshoes Padel Stuff created

A few months ago, Andoni Bardasco approached a major historic Spanish brand. Objective: create two different racket models, one “ soft " and one " hard ». « The last brand I worked with had developed soft models: there was the super soft, the very soft, the ultra soft… I opted for simplicity: a single model, ensuring that the racket was stable when the ball hit. Just because you're using a soft racket doesn't mean it has to feel like a toy! »

As for the model " hard » (called “performance”), it takes up the characteristics of the racket with which Andoni Bardasco traveled the tournaments of the world circuit when he was a professional (years 2010 to 2019). « It is a racket with which the ball must be centered… When this is the case, power and precision are thereAnd the ball touch because we opted for a specific foam, rather flexible. »

Andoni Bardasco and Iñaki, academy Padel Stuff — Copyright DR

A round shape and several weight options

Rackets Padel Stuff are from classic round shape (the hitting plane allows the ball to be hit in both the high and low zones), have a thick heart (which prevents the racket from twisting on impact) and a very thin handle (ideal for women in particular, but also for handling, and which can be thickened with grip if necessary). The round shape is related to the fact that 95% of padel strokes are control moves : this form allows you to deal with various situations ", says Andoni Bardasco, who also ensured that several weights are offered to players (between 340 and 370 grams).

Le Head Coach of the Bilbao Academy has also designed a specific design : besides the logo of Padel Stuff, we find on this black racket elements of pride (“ designed in Bilbao ") but also two tips: " Keep moving " and " stay focused ». « These sentences were defined following a questionnaire that I had my trainees fill out: they sum up for them the essence of my teaching! He concludes.

The team Padel Stuff : coaches, year 2024 — Copyright Padel Stuff

No obligation to purchase: rackets Padel Stuff have been developed in order to offer Andoni Bardasco trainees who wish to do so a high-quality offer quality, and there are on the market many other possibilities. The story of their development is however there to alert us to the ability we have to choose our products well. shovels. In this case, It seems that we players must absolutely start thinking about this closely linked to their gaming identity.

Frederic Theulé

Not a day goes by without a line… of padel court! For a few years now, Frédéric has decided to devote himself to his lifelong passion: the little yellow ball and its merciless world. Addict, did you say addict?