In 2026, the overall level of pickleball has significantly increased. To destabilize opponents who are increasingly solid in defense, it is becoming necessary to integrate more technical shots into your repertoire. The Erne and the ATP (Around The Post) are two aggressive options that allow you to finish the point by intelligently using the court boundaries.The Erne: Bypassing the Non-Volley ZoneThe Erne involves hitting a volley while positioned outside the lateral boundaries of the court, next to the kitchen. This allows you to hit the ball much closer to the net without committing a foot fa
With the return of sunny days this May 2026, the Beach Tennis season is officially underway. Whether you are a beginner or a regular player, choosing the right racket is crucial, as materials have evolved significantly in recent years to offer more comfort and precision.Material Choice: Carbon or Kevlar?In 2026, the market is mainly divided into two major families of materials for racket frames and faces.Carbon (3K, 12K, or 18K): This is the choice for power. The higher the number (like 18K carbon), the stiffer the racket. It is an ideal material for offensive players looking for fast ball exi
In today's padel, understanding the court is often more important than hitting power. To improve, you need to know where to position yourself in defense and where to aim once you are at the net. Proper zone management reduces unforced errors and helps build the point with more consistency.The Conflict Zone: The Center of the CourtThis is undoubtedly the most underestimated yet most effective zone. Aiming for the center, between the two players, creates what is known as a "zone of uncertainty."Tactical Advantage: It tests the opposing pair's communication. Who should take the ball? The right-si
Modern tennis is no longer just played on the court; it is lived as a global experience. In 2026, prestigious academies have taken the "student-athlete for adults" concept to its peak, offering ATP-worthy facilities to enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you are looking for raw intensity or absolute luxury, here is your itinerary.The French Riviera: Technological Excellence at MouratoglouLocated in Biot, between Nice and Cannes, the Mouratoglou Academy remains the center of gravity for European tennis in 2026. This is where stars like Coco Gauff and Holger Rune train. For an amateur, signing up
In modern padel, being pushed to the back of the court by an opponent's lob is no longer a death sentence. If the ball bounces high enough off the back glass, you are no longer defending: you are in a position of power. The "bajada" is that lethal weapon that allows you to punish the opposing team following a lob.The Principle: From Frustration to AggressionThe scenario is classic: you are at the net, and your opponents play a clean lob over you. You run to the back, you lose the net, and your rivals move up. This is where the bajada comes in. If the ball rises above your shoulder after hittin
The one-handed backhand has long been considered the most elegant stroke in tennis. Brought to the summit by legends like Federer, Tsitsipas, or Wawrinka, it nonetheless seems to be gradually fading before the efficiency of the two-handed backhand.The Quest for Maximum StabilityModern tennis is characterized by a constant increase in ball speed. Faced with increasingly heavy shots, the two-handed backhand offers superior stability. The non-dominant hand acts as a guide and support, allowing for better countering of the opponent's power. In a sport where defense has become paramount, the solidi
In the world of squash, the racket is not just a simple accessory; it is the natural extension of your arm. Given the speed of the rallies, every gram and every millimeter of design can transform the way you play. Here are the essential criteria that make equipment a key element of your game.Weight: Between Power and ReactivityThe weight of a squash frame generally varies between 110 and 150 grams. This choice directly influences your muscle fatigue and the speed of your ball.Light rackets: They offer exceptional maneuverability, ideal for reacting quickly at the net and disguising your shots.
Pickleball is primarily a doubles sport, but training with four people is not always the fastest way to progress technically. This is where skinny singles comes into play. This variant, played on half a court, has become the favorite exercise for competitive players.Surgical Precision WorkBy playing on half the width of the court, you considerably reduce the possible angles. This constraint forces the player into extreme precision. Every ball must be placed with care to stay within the narrow limits of the playing area. It is the ideal exercise for mastering the dink and trajectory control, as
Badminton is a sport of impact, sudden changes of direction, and repeated jumps. While this discipline is excellent for cardio, it places enormous stress on the musculoskeletal system. To practice for a long time and with pleasure, it is essential to know the risk zones and adopt the right prevention reflexes.Ankle Sprain: The Number One RiskThis is the most frequent injury on the courts. It usually occurs during a quick lateral movement or a poorly controlled landing from a jump.Prevention: The choice of shoes is paramount. They must offer excellent lateral support and a non-slip sole. Propri
Squash is often compared to a game of chess at 180 beats per minute. At the heart of this tactical battle lies an intersection of lines on the floor: the "T". For pro players, the "T" is not just a visual marker; it is a control point from which the game is directed. Here is why this zone is the secret to every victory.Being at an Equal Distance from All DangersSquash is played in the four corners of the court. The "T" is located precisely at the center of these four danger zones.Energy Economy: By systematically returning to the "T" after each shot, you ensure you are at the shortest possible
The pendulum serve is the benchmark serve at the highest level. Its name comes from the swinging motion of the arm, similar to that of a clock. Its strength lies in its versatility: with exactly the same toss and starting motion, a player can produce three or four completely different spins, making the return extremely difficult for the receiver to read.The Technique of the Swinging MotionTo succeed with a good pendulum serve, everything starts with body position and the racket grip.The Racket Grip: Most players release the handle with the last three fingers to hold the racket only with the th
Padel is often played at high intensity at the net, but the best players know when to slow down the rally to better punish. The rulo and the chiquita are two essential shots for breaking the rhythm and forcing opponents, even when well-positioned, to commit an error or play a defensive shot that is easy to intercept.The Chiquita: The Offensive Drop Shot in Mid-CourtThe chiquita is a slow and short shot, often executed from the baseline or mid-court, whose objective is to land just behind the opponent's service line.The Concept: The chiquita is a short ball with little power and, most important
The second serve is the moment of truth in tennis. If the first serve is a weapon of destruction, the second is a tool for survival and strategy. The objective is not just to put the ball in play, but to place it in such a way that the opponent is forced into a defensive stroke. The two main options for the second serve are the kick serve and the slice serve.Option 1: The Kick Serve (Topspin)The kick serve is the default choice for the majority of professionals because of its safety and its ability to bother the receiver.Technique: The strike is made on the back-left part of the ball (for a ri
Singles badminton is a sport of extreme movement. A match is won not only by the quality of the shots but, above all, by the player's ability to effectively cover the four corners of the court and consistently return to an optimal central position. The 6-Corner System is the fundamental method used by coaches to teach the footwork necessary to transform defense into attack.The Principle of the 6 Corners and Their ObjectivesThe six corners are the targets the player must reach to hit the shuttlecock. They consist of the four outer corners of the court and the two intermediate points at the net.
Pickleball is often perceived as a game of volleys and dinks at the kitchen. However, the serve is the first shot of the rally, the one that dictates the subsequent strategy. With the evolution of rules and the introduction of the drop serve, the serve has become a subtle weapon used not to win the point directly, but to set up the attack and put the opponent in difficulty before their return.The Drop Serve: A Technical RevolutionHistorically, the serve was executed underhand with an upward motion. The introduction of the drop serve has given the server more control.The Drop Serve Rule: The se
Beach tennis is a fast, dynamic, and demanding sport. Its particularity? The absence of bounce! Unlike tennis or Padel, all shots are hit in the air (volley) or after an overhead smash. This constraint requires the adoption of specific techniques and positioning. Mastering these fundamentals is the key to transforming fun into performance on the sand.The Racket Grip: The Continental StandardIn beach tennis, the speed of the game and the necessity of hitting overhead require the use of a versatile grip.The Continental Grip (Hammer): This is the grip of choice. It is achieved by holding the rack