Junior coaching.

Book your free one-hour junior intro session.

Download the Nettla app.

Coaching tailored to everyone.

However your child likes to learn, there's a format that will work for them.

Whether your child is picking up a racket for the first time or pushing towards competitive level, our coaches are here to help them improve, and to make sure they have fun doing it. Parents keep telling us their kids never want to leave the court.

Group sessions.

Coaching in small groups with others at a similar age and stage. Structured, energetic sessions with a clear focus on developing skills, and plenty of the social side that makes them feel like they belong and keeps them coming back.

Squad training.

For children on the junior pathway, more focused sessions building technique, movement, tactics and, when the time comes, preparation for competition.

Private lessons.

One-to-one coaching for children who want dedicated time on a particular part of their game, at their own pace and entirely focused on them.

Free junior intro.

Not sure where to start? Every junior can try padel free. It’s a relaxed session to introduce them to the sport, and a chance for us to see how they get on and point you towards the right group.

Coaches at the top of the game.

Our Smash coaches are the reason the junior programme is what it is. Every one is directly employed by us and developed through our own coaching development programme which means your kids get a consistent coaching experience.

Our coaching philosophy is athlete-centred so they adapt their coaching style to each child’s personality and confidence level rather than forcing a rigid style that can leave some players behind.

And they’re among the best in the country. Two of the four GB junior coaches are part of the Smash team, attending GB training camps and travelling with the squad to events like the European Championships.

The Smash approach.

We don’t believe in guesswork. Our junior programme follows structured, progressive six-week schemes of work that align perfectly with the school term.

The FUN-damentals first.

Early stages focus entirely on mastering fundamental movement skills – Agility, Balance and Coordination (the ABCs) – before we even introduce a racket.

Progress at their own pace.

Development is never rushed or dictated by age alone. Children step up only when their coach tracks that they are ready, and we always collaborate directly with you to make that decision.

Competition, only when they’re ready.

We believe competition should inspire, not intimidate. Juniors only take part when they have the skill, maturity and confidence to genuinely enjoy the experience.

Data-driven strategy.

As players advance into our Academy and Performance tiers, coaching becomes increasingly evidence-based. Sessions are shaped by real performance data and match analysis, creating a personalised development plan for every player.

Competitive opportunities.

For players who want to test their game, the opportunities are world-class.

Official LTA tournaments.

We run our own LTA tournaments across every tier, from Grade 5 right up to Grade 1.

FIP Promises.

The pathway reaches all the way to the FIP Promises circuit, the highest level of junior padel there is. We recently hosted a FIP Promises event at Smash Padel Cardiff, with 52 of our own juniors stepping up to compete.

Team GB.

For the very best, it leads to Team GB selection and competition at the European Championships.

What parents and players say.

We just wanted to take a moment to say a huge thank you to Smash for organising and making the trip to Middelkerke in Belgium happen for the Smash Team.
The support from all of the coaches was absolutely phenomenal. Everyone was so positive, encouraging and supportive throughout, and it made such a difference to the children. Having Will there was fantastic too — helping them warm up and stretch, supporting with injuries, and simply being there as part of the team. It was incredibly reassuring and made the whole experience even more special, supporting the children to engage with good habits pre and post match.
For our children to have an opportunity like this is just incredible. It is something they will remember, talk about and share for the rest of their lives. The memories and experiences they have taken away from the trip are priceless, and we are extremely grateful for the time, effort and commitment that everyone put into making it possible.
We also really appreciated how George, despite not competing, was encouraged to get involved and be part of the team. He genuinely felt included, and that says so much about the wonderful team environment that has been created.
Thank you, Smash, for giving the children such an amazing opportunity and for making them feel supported, valued and part of something special.
We are incredibly grateful for everything you all did to make the trip happen.

Gary, Vicky, Joshua, George and Joel , Smash Padel Academy family

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Ready to get them started?

Every child starts the same way, with a free intro. Whatever their age or stage, they can come and try padel, meet a coach and see if they love it.

Download the Nettla app to book a free junior intro.

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