The Padel School Podcast

Sandy Farquharson
  • 4.4 (7)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to The Padel School Podcast – hosted by brothers Tom and Sandy Farquharson, former tennis pros turned padel coaches. Our mission is simple: to give every padel player clear, world-class coaching so you can unlock your full potential on court. From technique to tactics, mindset to matchplay, we share the lessons we wish we’d had. Whether you're just starting out or chasing a competitive edge — this is your home for better padel. We’ve also created a library of resources for all padel players — from beginners to competitors — to help transform your game.  The Padel Player’s Guide Book: https://thepadelschool.com/the-padel-players-guide Online Training Platform (7-Day Free Trial) : https://thepadelschool.com/ The Drill Book: https://thepadelschool.com/drill-book Free Equipment Guide:  https://improve.thepadelschool.com/equipment-guide

  1. 5d ago

    How To Turn A Bad Day Around

    Ever had a day on the padel court when nothing seems to work? Your shots feel off, the errors start adding up, and before you know it, you're convinced you're having a bad day. But what if the key isn't trying to play better straight away, but learning how to manage the match? In this episode, Sandy and Tom discuss how to get through a bad day on court, why your performance can fluctuate so much in padel, and what you can learn from the world's best players. They also share insights from world number one Gemma Triay on how she adjusts when her game isn't working. They cover: 🎾 Why even the best players have bad days 🎾 How your expectations and negative self-talk can make things worse 🎾 Why your opponents might be contributing to your struggles 🎾 How to adjust your game and rely on your most consistent shots 🎾 Why momentum can change several times during a match 🎾 How taking your time between points can help you reset 🎾 Why communication with your partner matters when things go wrong 🎾 How to build confidence and fight your way back into a match The key takeaway? You don't need to play perfect padel to win. Understand that your performance will fluctuate, slow things down when you need to, and return to the shots you trust most. Sometimes, making one more ball than your opponents is enough to turn the match around. How do you recover when you're having a bad day on court? Let us know in the comments. Want to build more consistent foundations in your game? Join The Padel School platform with a 7-day free trial. Find the link in the show notes. ‼️WHAT'S NEW IN THE PADEL SCHOOL‼️ Padel Training & Match Journal: Track Your Training, Matches, and On-Court Progress EXPLORE OUR OFFERS The Padel School Membership (with FREE Trial) Access 75+ Drills for Every Level: TPS Drill Book For Players Our BOOK - The Padel Player's Guide Get our Mental Toughness Course

  2. Oct 15

    How the Pros Train Their Creativity

    Can creativity be trained, or is it something you're simply born with? In padel, being unpredictable can make you incredibly difficult to play against. From backhand tap-outs to trick shots that catch your opponents off guard, creativity can help you win points that a standard shot might not. But there's a balance. Try the difficult shot without the right foundations, and you could end up frustrating your partner rather than troubling your opponents. In this episode, Sandy and Tom discuss how creativity fits into padel, why it's different from tennis, and how players can develop the skills to use it effectively. They also hear from top player Paquito Navarro on how he trains his creativity. They discuss: - Why creativity is more than just hitting trick shots - How to balance consistency with being unpredictable - Why ball control is the foundation of creative play - How the pros practise trick shots and develop new skills - Why repetition helps you execute creative shots under pressure - How to stay relaxed and overcome the fear of making mistakes - When to use a trick shot — and when to play the percentage shot - Why you should be unpredictable to your opponents but predictable to your partner The key takeaway? Creativity can be trained. Build your foundations first, practise the shots you want to add to your game, and learn when to use them. You don't need to try a trick shot every point, but having it in your toolkit can make you a much harder opponent to read. Want to improve your ball control? Explore The Padel School platform with a 7-day free trial. Find the link in the show notes. EXPLORE OUR OFFERS The Padel School Membership (with FREE Trial) Access 75+ Drills for Every Level: TPS Drill Book For Players Our BOOK - The Padel Player's Guide Get our Mental Toughness Course Padel Training & Match Journal

  3. Oct 9

    How to Hit a Vibora That Bites

    Want to hit a vibora that bites? The vibora is one of the most satisfying shots in padel, but it can also be one of the hardest to master. The key isn't just hitting harder. It's learning the right technique, generating spin, finding the right contact point, and having the confidence to let your arm go. In this episode, Sandy and Tom break down how to hit a more effective vibora, from recognising the right lob to using the shot tactically and building confidence through repetition. They discuss: When and where to use the vibora in a matchWhy spin and precision matter more than simply hitting harderThe footwork and racket preparation needed for a clean contactHow to generate that whipping action without tensionWhy the vibora becomes a setup shot as you face better defendersHow to build confidence through shadow swings, solo drills and on-court practiceWhy trying to learn the shot during social matches can reinforce bad habitsHow to recover your confidence after missing a viboraThe biggest takeaway? You can't expect to hit a confident vibora under pressure without putting in the repetitions first. Build the technique away from match play, develop consistency, and give yourself the confidence to commit when the opportunity comes. Want to build your vibora from scratch? Join The Padel School platform with a 7-day free trial and follow our Vibora Challenge, with step-by-step exercises to help you develop the shot. EXPLORE OUR OFFERS The Padel School Membership (with FREE Trial) Access 75+ Drills for Every Level: TPS Drill Book For Players Our BOOK - The Padel Player's Guide Get our Mental Toughness Course Padel Training & Match Journal

  4. Oct 2

    What Makes a Great Padel Coach?

    Does a good padel coach have to be a good padel player? It’s a question that comes up regularly as padel continues to grow and more coaches enter the sport from different backgrounds. In this episode, Sandy and Tom discuss what actually makes a good padel coach — and where playing level fits into the equation. They explore the challenges of coaching in a rapidly growing sport, including the rise of coaches who may have only recently started playing padel, and the pressure on clubs to find coaches quickly. They discuss: 🎾 Whether a coach needs to be a high-level player 🎾 Why playing level is important for demonstrating what good looks like 🎾 The importance of communication, organisation and empathy 🎾 Why being a great player doesn't automatically make you a great coach 🎾 What tennis and squash coaches can bring when transitioning into padel 🎾 Why understanding padel tactics becomes increasingly important at higher levels 🎾 How the level you're coaching should influence the playing level you need 🎾 What clubs should consider when choosing the right coach 🎾 Why coach education needs to go beyond simply learning drills A good player and a good coach require different skills. The challenge is developing enough playing knowledge to understand and demonstrate the game, while also having the communication, organisation and teaching skills needed to help players improve. Whether you're a player choosing a coach, a club looking to build its coaching team, or someone thinking about becoming a padel coach, this episode explores what really matters. Interested in Coach Education? Let us know here: https://forms.gle/QAWsMjrvTEDgB4bk8 EXPLORE OUR OFFERS The Padel School Membership (with FREE Trial) Access 75+ Drills for Every Level: TPS Drill Book For Players Our BOOK - The Padel Player's Guide Get our Mental Toughness Course

  5. Sep 24

    Why Is Your Bandeja So Bouncy?

    Why does your bandeja keep bouncing up and giving your opponents an easy ball to attack? In this episode, Sandy and Tom break down one of the most frustrating problems for recreational players: the bouncy bandeja. After Sandy's latest trip with Red Bull TV to Paris, they start by looking at how the pros used the bandeja in outdoor conditions, how they adapted to the sun and high lobs, and why the bandeja is still an important shot even in the modern game. They then break down the technique behind a more effective bandeja and the common mistakes that cause the ball to bounce too high. They discuss: Why the pros still use the bandejaThe difference between a bandeja and a viboraWhy footwork is often the biggest problemHow to position yourself under a lobWhy your racket and elbow need to be above the ballWhy you should think of the bandeja as a high forehand volley, not a smashHow slowing the shot down can actually make it more effectiveWhy using the glass can help take speed off the ballWhere to aim your bandeja to make it harder to attackHow to build better technique through quality repetitions off the courtThe key is not simply hitting the bandeja harder. It’s about getting into the right position, creating the right contact and using the shot to neutralise the point so you can recover the net. If your bandeja keeps bouncing and getting attacked, this episode will help you understand why and what you can do to fix it. ‼️WHAT'S NEW IN THE PADEL SCHOOL‼️ Padel Training & Match Journal: Track Your Training, Matches, and On-Court Progress EXPLORE OUR OFFERS The Padel School Membership (with FREE Trial) Access 75+ Drills for Every Level: TPS Drill Book For Players Our BOOK - The Padel Player's Guide Get our Mental Toughness Course

  6. Sep 11

    How to Stop Having Good Days and Bad Days on the Padel Court

    Why do some days on the padel court feel great, while other days everything seems to go wrong? In this episode, Sandy and Tom break down why recreational players can have such big fluctuations in their level and what you can do to build a more consistent base level. They discuss: 🎾 Why your foundations are more important than individual shots 🎾 How footwork affects preparation, positioning and consistency 🎾 Why pros can rely on their “base level” when they aren't playing their best 🎾 How training off the court can improve what happens on it 🎾 Why trying to think about your footwork during a match can actually make things worse 🎾 How fixing an earlier part of the movement can improve your contact and technique 🎾 Why “little and often” training can make a big difference The goal isn't to make sure you never have a bad day. It's to raise your minimum level so that even when you're not playing your best, you can still rely on your game. Build the foundations, make them automatic, and give yourself a more consistent level to work from. ‼️WHAT'S NEW IN THE PADEL SCHOOL‼️ Padel Training & Match Journal: Track Your Training, Matches, and On-Court Progress EXPLORE OUR OFFERS The Padel School Membership (with FREE Trial) Access 75+ Drills for Every Level: TPS Drill Book For Players Our BOOK - The Padel Player's Guide Get our Mental Toughness Course

  7. Sep 3

    Why Your Padel Game Starts With Your Feet

    In this episode, Sandy and Tom discuss the one skill that can have an immediate impact on almost every recreational player’s game: footwork. From feeling rushed and arriving late to the ball, to struggling with positioning, recovery and technique, so many common problems on court can be traced back to inefficient footwork. They discuss: 🎾 Why footwork is the foundation of almost every shot 🎾 Why your movement needs to become automatic 🎾 How the pros train their footwork off the court 🎾 The importance of the split step, small adjustment steps and positioning 🎾 Why better footwork can improve your anticipation and court position 🎾 How recreational players can train footwork without spending hours on court 🎾 Why building these foundations can make your on-court coaching much more effective If you want to improve your consistency, movement and overall level, this is a great place to start. ‼️WHAT'S NEW IN THE PADEL SCHOOL‼️ Padel Training & Match Journal: Track Your Training, Matches, and On-Court Progress EXPLORE OUR OFFERS The Padel School Membership (with FREE Trial) Access 75+ Drills for Every Level: TPS Drill Book For Players Our BOOK - The Padel Player's Guide Get our Mental Toughness Course

  8. Aug 27

    Can You Really Improve Your Padel Game Online?

    Can you really improve your padel game without being on court with a coach? In this episode, Tom and Sandy challenge the common belief that the only way to improve is through in-person coaching and match play. They break down what effective online learning actually looks like, why simply watching hours of YouTube or social media tips isn't enough, and how players can turn knowledge into real improvement through structured training and quality repetition. They also explain:  Why playing more matches isn't always the answer The difference between watching content and actually training a skill How to identify the root cause of problems in your game  Why footwork, ball control and repetition matter so much  How to use online coaching without overwhelming yourself  Why having a structured roadmap can accelerate your progress  How skills like the bandeja can be broken down and trained away from the court Whether you're a beginner or an experienced club player, this episode will help you rethink how you learn padel and how you can make the most of the time you have both on and off the court. ‼️WHAT'S NEW IN THE PADEL SCHOOL‼️ Padel Training & Match Journal: Track Your Training, Matches, and On-Court Progress EXPLORE OUR OFFERS The Padel School Membership (with FREE Trial) Access 75+ Drills for Every Level: TPS Drill Book For Players Our BOOK - The Padel Player's Guide Get our Mental Toughness Course

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Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Padel School Podcast – hosted by brothers Tom and Sandy Farquharson, former tennis pros turned padel coaches. Our mission is simple: to give every padel player clear, world-class coaching so you can unlock your full potential on court. From technique to tactics, mindset to matchplay, we share the lessons we wish we’d had. Whether you're just starting out or chasing a competitive edge — this is your home for better padel. We’ve also created a library of resources for all padel players — from beginners to competitors — to help transform your game.  The Padel Player’s Guide Book: https://thepadelschool.com/the-padel-players-guide Online Training Platform (7-Day Free Trial) : https://thepadelschool.com/ The Drill Book: https://thepadelschool.com/drill-book Free Equipment Guide:  https://improve.thepadelschool.com/equipment-guide

Information

  • Creator
    Sandy Farquharson
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    191
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Padel School Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Padel School Podcast

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