What a 4.5 does
- Plays the middle ball on purpose, to make both of you hesitate
- Uses the víbora as well as the bandeja
- Serves to set up the first volley rather than to win the point
What a 4.5 does not do yet
- Hold the same level at 30 all in the third set
- Switch to a second plan when the first stops working
- Finish from the back of the court
What to work on next
The serve and the first volley as one pattern: the serve that wins you the net is what everything else at this level stands on. The padel serve: how to hit one that wins you the net.
On the other scales
The converter files 4.5 under Advanced: strong club regular: few unforced errors, weapons on both sides. That reads as MATCHi 7 and LTA 5.0; Padel Mates uses the same 0 to 7 numbers as Playtomic. None of it is official, and the bands hold to about half a point. Convert any number.
How the number moves
Beat a pair rated above you and you jump; lose to a pair rated below you and you fall. Matches entered as friendly do not count. Under five unforced errors in a set is at least a 4. The long version is in padel levels explained.
Test it
In Padel: The Game a 4.5 meets the 1600 PELO pair, Carla and Diego (regional). Every short ball is punished and they do not tire. The right shot and the right side, every time.
The daily Scenario is filed by level, and the advanced ones are the fair test at 4.5. One from the bank: