Padel Techniques

The Bandeja: Padel's Essential Overhead

The bandeja is a controlled overhead shot in padel used to maintain net position. It's one of the most important shots in the game and a must-learn for intermediate players.

The Vibora: Padel's Attacking Overhead

The vibora is an aggressive overhead shot with heavy sidespin that targets the side wall. It's harder to execute than a bandeja but more difficult for opponents to return.

The Padel Smash: When to Go for It

The smash in padel is a powerful overhead aimed at winning the point outright or forcing the ball out over the back wall. Timing and positioning determine when a smash is the right choice.

The Rulo: Padel's Spinning Overhead

The rulo is an overhead shot hit with topspin or sidespin to keep the ball low and angled after the bounce, making it harder to retrieve than a flat smash. It's used when a flat kill shot isn't available.

Padel Smash Positioning: Where to Stand and When to Attack

Effective padel smash execution depends as much on positioning as on technique. Getting under the ball, reading the lob trajectory, and choosing between a flat kill shot and a spinning bandeja are the key decisions.

Padel Volley: Net Play Fundamentals

The volley — hitting the ball before it bounces — is the dominant shot at the padel net. Controlling the net with quick, compact volleys is the key to winning points in doubles.

The Chiquita: Padel's Key Transition Shot

The chiquita is a soft, low shot aimed at the feet of net players. It's the primary shot used to move forward from the back of the court and take control of the net.

The Padel Drop Shot: Short Game Tactics

The drop shot in padel is a softly-played shot that barely clears the net and dies near the service line, drawing opponents forward from the baseline. It's most effective when opponents are deep.

The Padel Passing Shot: Getting Past the Net Players

The passing shot in padel is a low, fast groundstroke aimed to go past a net-positioned opponent before they can volley. Down the line or through the middle are the two primary passing shot routes.

Wall Play in Padel: How to Use the Walls

Wall play is what makes padel unique. After a ball bounces on your side, it can hit the back or side wall — and you can still play it. Mastering the walls transforms your defensive game.

The Bajada: Attacking Off the Back Wall

The bajada is an aggressive shot played after the ball bounces off the back glass. It's one of padel's most spectacular plays, turning defence into attack in an instant.

Por Tres: Padel's Back Wall Exit Shot

Por tres (through the back) is when you hit the ball so it bounces on your opponent's court, travels into their back wall, and exits the court through or over the back fence — an outright winner.

How to Serve in Padel

The padel serve must be underhand, struck at or below waist height. It goes diagonally and must land in the opposite service box. Despite being underhand, a well-placed serve can put opponents under pressure.

Padel Serve Types: Flat, Slice & Spin

The padel serve must be underhand and bounced before contact, but there's still room for variation. Flat, slice, and topspin serves each create different bounces and angles to challenge the returner.

Return of Serve in Padel: Positioning & Strategy

The return of serve in padel must bounce before being struck. Good positioning — roughly on the service line — and a low, controlled return toward the server's feet are the key principles.

The Padel Forehand: Building Your Foundation Shot

The padel forehand is the primary groundstroke for most players. A consistent, low-to-high swing with continental or semi-western grip produces controlled, penetrating shots from baseline exchanges.

The Padel Backhand: Two-Handed vs One-Handed

The backhand groundstroke in padel can be hit with one or two hands. Two-handed backhands provide more control and power; one-handed backhands offer greater reach. Both are used at all levels.

The Globo (Lob): Padel's Defensive Lifeline

The globo is padel's lob — a high, deep shot used to push opponents back from the net and buy time. It's a defensive essential and one of the first shots beginners should learn.

The Lob in Padel: Defensive and Offensive Use

The lob (globo in Spanish) is essential for resetting from defence and regaining the net position. Hit too shallow and it's smashed; hit too deep and the opponents can let it exit. Learning the right trajectory is a key padel skill.

Padel Footwork: Movement Patterns for Court Coverage

Good padel footwork is lateral-first, not forward-first. The split step, crossover step, and recovery shuffle are the foundational movement patterns for efficient court coverage.

Padel Doubles Positioning: Where to Stand on Court

Good court positioning in padel doubles is about controlling the net together. Both players move as a unit — advancing when attacking, retreating when defending — and staying level with each other.

Doubles Communication in Padel: How to Play as a Unit

Effective doubles communication — calling balls, discussing tactics between points, encouraging your partner — is what separates coordinated pairs from two individuals playing in the same court.

Padel Shots

Bandeja, gancho, smash, bajada & chiquita.

Wall & Glass Play

Back glass exits, por tres & side rebounds.

Padel Serve

Underarm technique, rules & return tactics.

Padel Grip

Continental grip, overgrip & grip size.

Padel Training

Fitness, drills & 4-week conditioning plan.

Padel Doubles

Court zones, net pressure & partner tactics.