The flat smash — remate plano, smash 'por tres' — is the shot that separates a threatening attack from a finishing blow. Ale Galán, one of the most complete attackers the sport has seen, describes his own flat smash in one phrase: a harmonic stroke. Everything must merge into one fluid motion. Once the technique is mastered, you generate pace without overexerting yourself, and the contact feels like a clean 'tac, tac, tac'.
Power is not forced. It comes from technique, correct positioning, and weight transfer. When the technique is truly mastered, you hit better with less effort, even from further back. This guide distills Galán's step-by-step breakdown into a practical checklist you can take onto the court.
1. Grip and Paddle Setup
Galán's signature grip is his most important secret.
Open grip: Hold the racket with almost one and a half fingers of space off the bottom of the handle. The hand sits noticeably lower than the butt cap.
Index finger high: Keep the index finger positioned high up the handle. This creates leverage — the higher the finger, the more reach and whip you have.
Loose grip: Hold the racket loosely so the wrist stays free and fast.
Close at impact: Slightly close the grip at contact, and use the index finger to give the ball that extra flick.
Comparison point: Franco Stupaczuk's grip is more closed; Federico Chingotto's is more open. Galán himself notes that his grip feels quite open, but he closes it a little more as he actually hits the ball.
On paddle choice, Galán mentions that a top-heavy racket like the Metalbone gives extra help on the hit. More weight above the hand equals more power on the contact. Sponsor talk aside, the top-weight principle is real.
2. Wrist — The First Tip
For the smash out of three, Galán's first cue is simple: use the wrist more. The wrist adds the final burst of speed and the flick at contact. The combination of a high index finger and a loose, active wrist is what produces explosive contact without needing to muscle the ball.
3. Footwork and Positioning — The Most Emphasized
This is where most club players lose the shot. Galán's rules are clear:
Get under the ball: Settle directly underneath it. Adjust to where the lob lands, then move forward with your whole body.
Feet together at the start: Before the shot, position your feet together. This is the spot you push off from.
Get there early and plant: 'I get there earlier, I plant myself.' Arrive under the ball early, plant your feet, then go.
Drive forward: Come out with the turn but move forward. Do not fall back toward the fence.
Feet not too close: If your feet are too close together, you over-bend and fall — you have no base to recover from.
Most common mistake: Falling back toward the fence. This ruins clean contact and kills your weight transfer.
4. Weight Transfer
Rotate your hips well. Hip rotation drives your body weight into the ball. A stable base — feet together and a clear push-off point — is what lets you generate real power. Galán also stresses that 'the body indicates where you want to hit the ball.' Your torso alignment is part of the aiming system.
5. Contact Point and Height
High contact is essential. 'Hit it really high up.' The higher the contact, the more power. Low contact produces a weak, bandeja-like shot with no force.
Flat surface forward: You need that flat surface to drive forward.
Full contact: Hit with the sweet spot, not the edge.
Aim the racket face at your target.
6. Legs
'If you don't use your legs and do this, you won't transfer either.' Legs are the source of power. Without knee bend and leg drive, the energy chain from the ground to the racket never completes.
7. Fluidity and Harmony
'It's just one stroke.' A flat smash is one fluid motion, not a sequence of separate adjustments. Don't micro-adjust under the ball — get fully under it and move forward with your whole body.
Mastered technique means less effort and more clean contact. 'It's a much cleaner contact. Tac, tac, tac. And you barely exert yourself.' Once the motion is reliable, you also learn your accelerations: you do not go 100% on every shot. You know exactly when to apply speed and when to stay smooth.
Most Common Mistakes
Falling back to the fence: Bad contact and lost power. Fix — get under the ball and move forward.
Contact too low: Weak, bandeja-like shot. Fix — hit higher.
Feet too close together: Over-bending and falling. Fix — balanced stance, stable base.
Weight shifted to the side: No power. Fix — start with feet together and push straight.
Hitting with the edge: Mishit. Fix — aim the racket face at the target.
Not using the wrist: Lost speed. Fix — index finger plus wrist flick.
Not using the legs: No transfer. Fix — bend the knees and push with the legs.
Ale Galán's Flat Smash Formula
Open grip + high index finger + loose wrist for leverage.
Get under the ball early, feet together, plant.
Rotate hips and drive weight forward with the legs.
High contact, flat racket face, aim at target.
Close the grip at contact and flick with the index finger.
One fluid stroke — clean 'tac' contact, less effort, more power.
Source: 'ALE GALÁN me ENSEÑA EL SECRETO DE SU REMATE' — youtube.com/watch?v=ytNLqgnAzEQ.
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