Analysis of the use and effectiveness of lobs to recover the net in the context of padel

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse the use and effectiveness of actions to approach net in padel, based on competition level and game context. A total of 416 rallies (from baseline to net) were recorded from14 male matches: Eight finals of World Padel Tour (WTP) tournaments and six championship matches of the Extremadura Padel Federation first category (CEP) circuit. The analysis included baseline shots performed before approaching the net, categorizing them depending on the use/non-use of lobs. Binary logistic regression and tree classification analyses (CHAID) were used to predict the use and effectiveness of the actions carried out to approach the net. Main results revealed a significant prevalence of lobs compared to other types of shots (60.6 % vs. 39.4%); further, performing lobs increased the likelihood of continuity of rallies (65.9% vs. 47.0%). No influences of game contextual variables were observed. CHAID analysis provided with a ranking of variables that influence the most the action of approaching the net, which could represent a useful guideline for future studies.