🎾 Padel Shot & Gameplay Definitions (Beginner-Friendly)
Bandeja
A defensive overhead shot hit with slice.
Used when the opponent lobs you. It’s controlled, not powerful — designed to regain net position & keep the point alive.
Vibora
An aggressive version of the bandeja.
Hit with more speed & sharper side-spin, usually angled toward the side fence to force an error.
Chiquita
A soft, low, slow ball played to the opponent’s feet.
Used from the back of the court to take the net position by forcing a weak volley.
Smash
A powerful overhead shot used to win the point.
Padel has variations:
- Flat smash: power, straight down the middle
- Topspin smash: jumps off the glass, bounces high
- Kick smash: topspin that kicks over the side wall for a winner
- Rulo: spin used near the side wall
Golden Point
A deciding point played at 40–40.
Whoever wins this point wins the game — no advantage, no repeating deuces.
Most modern Padel tournaments use it.
Glass Wall Bounce
When the ball hits the glass wall after bouncing on the court.
Players can defend using the back or side glass to control rebounds — a key difference from tennis.
Let
If the serve hits the net but still lands in the service box — the server repeats the serve.
Fault
A missed serve. Two faults = loss of point.
Volley
Hitting the ball before it bounces.
Essential for controlling the net.
Lob
A high defensive shot intended to push opponents away from the net & give you time to move forward.
Bajada
A descending shot hit off the back wall after defending a smash.
Can be flat, sliced, or topspin — used to counter-attack.
Block
A short, firm defensive volley when the ball is hit very hard at you.
Rulo (Side-Wall Topspin Smash)
An angled smash using topspin brushed up the side wall, causing a tricky rebound.
Doble Pared (Double Wall)
A defensive or attacking shot played off two consecutive glass walls.
Kick Smash
A topspin smash where the ball kicks up & often out of the court after hitting the back wall.
Out-of-Court Smash
In aggressive smashes, a player can hit the ball out of the cage & run around to retrieve it before the second bounce to win the point.
Screen
The rebound area — using the glass to control the ball instead of hitting it immediately.
Side Fence (Mesh/Fence Bounce)
If a ball strikes the metal fence after bouncing on the ground, it is still in play.
Many shots aim to force awkward fence rebounds.
Drop Shot
A soft volley hit close over the net to bring opponents forward.
