How to avoid the “fridge”? Tips and advice on how to solve this situation

In this article, we’re going to look at how to avoid the fridge to get you back in the game. If you don’t know how to avoid it in your game… Read on!

What is the fridge?

The fridge is a fairly common tactic that is often used during the course of a match. It consists of focusing the game on one of the opponents, leaving the other in the “fridge“, or in other words, freezing the game of an opponent.

This is usually done because we have detected a weakness in one of the opponents (lower level, he is not feeling good, his shots do not create big problems…) or the opposite: one of the opponents is crushing us with his game and we do not know how to dismantle him.

Mistakes not to make if you are “in the fridge”

1. The first intrusive thought that comes to mind when you are in the fridge is the desperation not to touch the ball, together with wanting to get into the game as soon as possible and be part of it. Big mistake. This will only lead you to take more risks by hitting balls that are not yours.
2. When a ball comes to you, don’t try to gamble by trying to make a winner. This will only increase your frustration and give your opponents more reason to continue with the same tactic. Play that ball as you would in completely normal conditions, helping your partner’s game.
3. Don’t switch off. By not participating in the course of the game, you may lose concentration on the point at times. This is exactly what your opponents and the very purpose of the fridge are looking for.

As a reminder, never do the fridge in a friendly match. This is known as a gross lack of etiquette and respect. All four players are there to have a good time and have paid for the court equally. You all have the same right to enjoy yourselves, especially when there is nothing at stake.

The importance of mental focus

In the previous paragraph you can read words like despair, frustration or concentration; and in this particular situation, the mental aspect is key. And although it may be difficult, you must remain patient and calm. If you miss the first ball that comes your way, your nervousness will immediately increase exponentially. Play calmly, play easy the ball, look together with your partner to find a way to reverse the situation…

Tips for getting out of the fridge

The most common tactic to get us out of the fridge is to suggest to our partner to play more in parallel, to force your opponent to play us crosscourt, so that the game falls on us on more occasions. But this is risky, our partner must have a high enough level to assume the complexity of playing in parallel.

Another tip is not to go up to the net. And although it goes against the quintessential mantra of padel, if our partner goes up and we stay at the back of the court, surely the rivals will play us, as we have less chance of making a point.

A tactic that is not usually used to get out of the fridge is to undo the Australia formation, that is, change sides. And although it may seem a simple thing to do, it implements a conditioner to the opponents that can disarm their tactic.

Finally, in this video of our friends of The Padel School, we will find another very entertaining analysis of the points mentioned above.