Padel Strategy:
What is "The Fridge" in Padel?

If you ask any padel player from anywhere in the world what the most used padel tactic in a padel game is, the answer will surely be: The Fridge - La nevera - Le frigo - Il frigorifero - Der Kühlschrank.

Even if the concept of the tactic is pretty easy to understand, applying it efficiently is quite demanding. Padel players should know the several secrets of this tactic to get the best results. In this article, our padel experts share their thoughts about the most loved (or hated) padel strategy, "the Fridge".

What is "The Fridge" in Padel?

The Fridge is a simple padel strategy consisting in throwing all or most of the balls to one player of the team, usually the weaker player, to the point that their partner is feeling cold, like they would be in a fridge.

This might create frustration for both players. The player in the fridge is not getting any chance to impact the point, while their partner is always under the pressure of the opponents. The Fridge is a padel tactic which can produce physical and mental fatigue marked by anger and guilt, if the player is not performing well.

Surely, the Fridge is not the nicest padel tactic ever, especially when it's applied in friendly games. However, it is often efficient during tournaments and unluckily (or luckily), there is no rule to prevent it.

How to Optimise Your Fridge Tactic?

There are some mistakes to avoid when you use the Fridge tactic on the padel court. We summed them up with solutions to get the best results.

• The 70/30 Rule

The Fridge shouldn’t mean aiming 100% of the shots to the weaker player. This would make your next shots predictable and would give more confidence as well as a rhythm to the player getting all the balls.

Try to aim 70% of the balls to the weaker player and 30% of the balls to the other player. This way, your next shot won't be predictable, and the weaker player won't be able to get into a rhythm.

• Finish the Point on the Player in the Fridge

When you get an easy shot and can finish the point, consider doing it on the strongest player. This will mentally damage the team.

Imagine the state of mind of a player in the Fridge who is getting a few balls which are impossible to recover. The player will try to finish the point as soon as possible (mistakes expected). On the other side, their partner will feel low, angry and guilty. The opponents are finishing points on the player in the Fridge, who had nothing to do with the outcome of the point. You can imagine the atmosphere on that side of the court.

• One Player, Different Shots

If you keep focusing on one player with the same type of shot, it will become a kind of practice for them. The player will just keep getting better and better, and gain more confidence. You don’t want this to happen. You’ll struggle more to score and be annoyed by not being able to finish the point.

Variety is important in padel. Even if you’re directing the play to one player, you have a huge variation of shots that you can do:

• In defense: high lob, low-height fast lob, chiquita, block and volley...
• In attack: bandeja, vibora, rulo, moco, drop shot, kick smash…

You can vary the direction and the pace of your shots as well (to the middle, one glass ball contact, double glass ball contact, to the fence…). With different directions, different effects, and different ball speeds, from both players, your opponent won’t feel comfortable, which means that your “Fridge“ is working!

• Stick to the Plan

If your Fridge is working, don’t get too optimistic and start doing tricks, hitting risky shots, or playing to the strong player to prove that you’re better than both of them. There’s no need to do that if your tactic is working well. Some players might feel sad for the player in Fridge and decide to send them some balls, which shows how nice you are, but might make you lose the match. We don't want this to happen. If your plan is working, stick to it!

How to Leave the Fridge?

Every padel tactic has its limits, and the Fridge is no exception. Below, we explain you how to beat this tactic.

Tips for the Team

Don't panic. It might sound simple, but it is essential. When you discover that your opponents are using the Fridge against you or your partner, discuss it with your teammate, and try to share ideas about how to manage the next points. If you don't do it, you will just keep losing one point after another before you even realize it.

Remember, it’s a mental challenge. If you see all balls coming to you, then your opponents think that you’re weaker than your partner, which is not always correct, and it also doesn’t mean that you’re weaker than them! Stay calm and get into the strategy. In this kind of situation, mental strength is essential. It’s a real challenge of how strong you are and how you can overcome the difficulties with your partner.

Your Partner is in the Fridge

• Easy Peasy

You want to show your opponents that you’re ready for it? This doesn’t happen by taking too many risks and trying to hit winners with every shot. Try to avoid risky shots to show your opponents that you're strong. Try to get a rhythm through safe shots and put yourself in comfortable game situations. Your opponents will wonder why they are not winning the point easily and why you aren't making mistakes. Be patient and don't rush.

• Parallel Shots Time

Opt for parallel shots (especially lobs) when you are comfortable with it. Your opponent will have two options: play cross to your partner in the Fridge for more security, or give you a ball that's easy to defend with a one glass contact. If you are not comfortable with it, don’t force it and go to the middle.

Lobs are preferred in this type of situation. They are more secure, easier to execute, and will give you some time to breathe before the next shot (which is most likely coming to you). The game might be too fast if your opponents keep volleying at you, and you’ll surely need these 2-3 seconds more that you can gain thanks to a high deep lob.

• Go to the Net

After a good parallel lob, you can go very close to the net to block the overhead shot if it's still coming to you. This will put pressure on your opponent, who will probably be forced to play the ball to your partner, thus beating the Fridge. It’s too risky for them to play the ball to you at the net while they are at the net as well.

If your opponent decides to let it pass and lob you, that’s not a problem. You’ll have enough time to hit it, or your partner can intercept it as well. What's important is to go to the net when your lob is great, and you should do it fast. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a hard ball to your feet.

You Are in the Fridge

• Don’t Hit What Is Not Yours!

You are in the Fridge. You’re not getting any ball, and you see your partner struggling. Your first reaction would be to "save" your partner and try to get some shots as well, which is not good at all.

This will lead to taking unnecessary risks, trying to hit balls that are not yours, leaving your side of the court empty, and confusing your partner who won’t know what to hit and what to let go. Your opponents will surely enjoy seeing two confused players running everywhere and providing extra space for their next shot.

• Don’t Activate Sleep Mode

It is crucial to stay active and focused even if you’re not involved in the game. Don't stand and stay static: the ball can come to you anytime. If it does, don't try to finish the point immediately, stay patient and solid, and hit the shot you would hit under normal conditions.

You’ll surely get some easy shots. This is not a reason to take an extra risk and try to hit a winner at any cost. If you miss it, this will pad_increase your frustration, will decrease your partner’s motivation, and encourage your opponents to keep using the same tactic.

• Be a "Support System"

If you are in the Fridge, stay calm and show your partner that you fully trust them. Don’t forget that all the pressure is on your partner already, who needs to be supported, otherwise, it will be just a 3 vs 1 match. Be sure that any negative comment or facial expression won't help in any case.

You don’t want to lose the game, but your partner doesn’t either. In this match, the outcome of the game is going to depend on your partner. Tell them that you believe in them, and you can beat this tactic together. It will give them wings!

Extra "Anti-Fridge" Tactics

• Change Sides

It might be efficient if both players can manage on both sides of the court. Changing sides during the point or while serving can be confusing for the opponents, who will have to adjust their shots to keep playing on the weaker player. Plus, this will allow the player in the Fridge to touch some balls and stay involved in the game.

• 1 vs 1

It's simply about using the same tactic! It might turn the match into a weird 1 vs 1 game, but it’s one of the solutions to deal with the Fridge tactic in padel. The match will then depend on how mentally strong the team is, how awake the players in the Fridge are, and how technically, physically, and tactically good the two players in the duel are.

One more important thing: it is considered improper and disrespectful to use the Fridge tactic in a friendly game. All four players are present to have a pleasant time and share the court equally, and everyone deserves the same enjoyment and fun, particularly when there is no competition involved.

You now have all the keys to master the Fridge padel tactic. Be sure to apply it correctly, when needed, and beat it with style when your opponents choose to use it on you.

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