This is the ultimate padel glossary, covering every essential term players, coaches, and bettors must know. Clear, concise, and beginner-friendly — while still detailed enough for advanced analysis.
Use this glossary as your reference hub for all padel terminology.
🟦 A–C
Ace
A serve that the receiver fails to touch. Rare in padel.
Approach Shot
A shot used to transition from the backcourt to the net.
Backcourt
The defensive zone behind the service line.
Back Glass / Back Wall
The glass behind players used for defensive rebounds.
Backhand
A stroke hit with the back of the racket facing the ball.
Bajada
An attacking shot hit after the ball rebounds off the back wall.
Bandeja
A defensive overhead slice hit to maintain net control.
Break Point
A point where the receiving team can win the opponent’s service game.
Chiquita
A soft, low shot played from the backcourt to the feet of the net player.
Counterattack
Switching from defense to offense after a weak opponent shot.
Cross-Court
A shot played diagonally into the opponent’s half.
🟩 D–F
Deuce
Not used in padel; replaced by the Golden Point.
Double Fault
Missing both serve attempts. Point to the opponent.
Double Wall
A defensive rebound off two walls (side + back) before hitting.
Drive
A fast, low groundstroke from the backcourt.
Drop Shot
A soft shot designed to land short and low.
Exit (3m/4m Smash)
A smash that bounces out of the court through the side or back wall.
Fence/Mesh
The metal side structure producing unpredictable bounces.
Flat Smash
A powerful overhead hit with minimal spin.
Foot Fault
Stepping on or over the service line during the serve.
Forehand
A stroke hit with the palm of the racket facing the ball.
🟨 G–L
Game
A scoring unit in a set: 15–30–40–Game.
Golden Point
A single deciding point played at 40–40.
Groundstroke
Any shot hit after the ball bounces.
Inside-Out Shot
A forehand hit from the backhand side.
Kick Smash
A topspin smash that bounces sideways off the wall.
Lateral Wall
The side glass wall.
Lob
A high, deep shot used to reset or regain the net.
Love
Zero points (0–15).
🟧 M–P
Match Tiebreak
A first-to-10 tiebreak used instead of a third set in some formats.
Mesh Shot
A ball that bounces off the metal fence.
Mini-Break
Winning a point on the opponent’s serve during a tiebreak.
Net Play
Offensive positioning at the net for volleys and overheads.
Overhead
Any shot hit above the head (smash, bandeja, vibora).
Over/Under
Betting lines predicting total games in a match.
Padel Racket
A solid racket with no strings.
Passing Shot
A fast shot hit past opponents at the net.
Placement Shot
A shot focused on precision, not power.
Poach
When a net player intercepts a ball intended for their partner.
🟫 Q–S
Rally
A sequence of shots until the point ends.
Rebote
A ball that rebounds off the glass before being returned.
Right-Side Player
The controlling, defensive-oriented player.
Serve
Underarm shot used to start a point.
Service Box
The diagonal area where the serve must land.
Side Wall
The glass wall along each side.
Slice
Spin added by brushing under the ball.
Smash
A powerful overhead used to finish points.
Split Step
A small hop to prepare for movement.
Sweet Spot
The optimal hitting area on the racket.
🟥 T–Z
Tiebreak
Game played at 6–6 to determine the set (first to 7, win by 2).
Topspin
Forward spin that causes the ball to dip quickly.
Transition Zone
The area between backcourt and net — difficult to play from.
Unforced Error
A mistake made without pressure from the opponent.
Vibora
An aggressive, slicing overhead used to attack.
Volley
A shot hit before the ball bounces.
Wall Play
Using the glass for defensive rebounds.
🟦 Bonus Section: Betting Terms in Padel
Handicap Betting
Betting format where one team is given a virtual advantage or disadvantage.
Outright Betting
Betting on the winner of a tournament, not a single match.
Live Betting
Betting on matches in real time.
Value Bet
A wager where odds seem better than actual probability.
Public Money
The majority of bets placed by casual bettors.
🟩 Summary
This glossary defines every major padel term — from shots and tactics to rules and betting concepts. Use it as your complete reference to understand the sport deeply and analyse matches more effectively.
Category 2 is now fully complete. Ready to begin Category 3 — Padel Players & Power Rankings?
