# Beyond Instinct: Data-Driven Decision Trees for Tactical Shot Selection in Professional Padel
## 4 Discussion
To achieve this, coaches can implement training routines that simulate these high-pressure situations, incorporating error penalties and scoreboard-based drills to enhance decision-making and mental resilience. The men's shot tree reflects three nodes. One of the nodes includes balanced shots, 63% of which are in favor of the error (volley, bandeja, vibora, off-the-wall and off-court), winning shots in 89% of cases (smash and recovery smash) and shots that end as an error 98% of the time (forehand-backhand, lob and back-wall). On the other hand, although in the study by [PERSON] et al. [55], only smashes, volleys and bandejas are distinguished and each sample is different; it is shown that, like the results of the present study, the percentage of winners is higher in smashes and the percentage of errors is higher in volleys. However, in the case of bandejas, the percentage of errors and winners is similar, perhaps because in the present study both bandejas and viboras are included. Furthermore, in that study, it is indicated that a variable to take into account regarding the percentage of hits and errors is the distance to the net, since the effectiveness of volleys, smashes and bandejas will decrease as the player moves away from the net [55]. The women's shot classification tree reflects the same three nodes observed in men's padel. The first node, with a slightly higher success rate (61% error), favors volleys, bandejas, off-the-wall shots, off-court shots and recovery smashes. The second node, which includes smashes, shows a 75% success rate, while the final node, consisting of forehands, backhands, lobs and back-wall shots, exhibits an 85% error rate. These findings indicate that women's padel is more stable, as a greater variety of shots are concentrated in the first node compared to the other trees. In addition, the percentages found again coincide with those of [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON] and [PERSON] [55], being very similar in the volley and the bandeja. However, the authors reported a significantly higher smash effectiveness rate (89.8%) than the percentage observed in this study, suggesting that the effectiveness of the women's smash may be closer to that of men. Given that women's finishing shots are only highly effective in specific situations, it becomes essential to capitalize on the opponent's errors. This can be achieved by forcing them into executing multiple lobs--potentially leading to a finishing shot or an unforced error--as well as by directing play toward back-wall shots and forehand or backhand exchanges. This study is based on observational data, which, while analyzed using standardized evaluation systems, inherently carries certain limitations. CHAID decision trees effectively identify patterns in sports performance, offering intuitive decision rules and handling complex data without strict assumptions. However, they can be sensitive to small data changes, affecting model stability, and may become less interpretable with intricate datasets. The model's high classification rates, particularly for error prediction, reinforce its reliability in capturing performance trends, although refinement is needed to improve winner classification. The decision tree model classifies shot effectiveness based on patterns in match play but does not account for individual physical attributes, biomechanics or musculoskeletal constraints, which can influence shot selection and execution. Factors such as strength, flexibility, joint mobility, fatigue levels and past injuries may impact a player's ability to execute specific shots successfully. Future research should integrate physiological profiling to provide a more comprehensive understanding of shot effectiveness, linking tactical decisions with an athlete's physical and technical capabilities.