All padel shots explained simply.

OK, if you have already played another racket sport like tennis, table tennis, badminton or squash, then “standard” shots such as serve, forehand and backhand should not be unfamiliar. In padel, however, there are many special shots:

The list is sorted alphabetically so you can easily find the padel moves again later. 😉

Padel terms in Spanish.

Padel includes a number of special shots that sound quite “exotic” due to the nature of the sport and its origins in South America. All these shot names can be hard to remember, especially at the beginning.

Best to learn padel shots and technique with a coach.

To learn all these shots, it is recommended to take training sessions with a padel coach. They can explain and demonstrate the techniques so you can practice them correctly.

The Bajada

In the bajada, the ball is taken directly off the glass wall before it bounces a second time and is played flat with forward pressure. It is technically demanding, where timing is crucial, but very effective since it gives the opponent little time to react. Often used as an offensive transition from defense.

The Bandeja

“Bandeja” means “tray” in Spanish, referring to the racket position, which resembles a horizontally held tray. This controlled slice overhead is used against low lobs. The goal is not to finish the point, but to maintain net position and play the ball deep into a corner to avoid a high rebound.

The Block

The block is not a classic stroke but a controlled defensive action. The racket is held passively in front of the incoming ball with a slightly open face, without a follow through. It is often used when defending against a powerful smash or volley, with the goal of simply keeping the ball in play.

Die Chiquita

It has nothing to do with bananas. 🍌 “Chiquita” (“the little one”) is a short, flat backhand shot played from defense just over the net toward the opponents’ feet. A quick wrist snap creates a low ball that is difficult to attack, while giving the player time to move forward to the net. It often forces the opponent to return a weak shot.

The Dejada (Dropshot)

The dejada is the drop shot in padel: a soft, controlled shot with backspin that lands just over the net and barely bounces. It is effective as a surprise after a powerful attack and forces opponents to sprint forward.

The Gancho

“Gancho” means “hook.” 🪝
The arm movement follows a hook like path. It is used when a lob goes very high over the left shoulder (for right handed players) and neither bandeja nor vibora is possible. The contact point is very high, and the ball is directed toward the glass or fence.

The Lob (Globo)

The lob is the most important defensive shot. A high ball over the net players forces them back to the baseline and gives the defending team time to regain net position. A good lob lands behind the service line and stays low after the bounce. It can also be used offensively as a surprise shot.

Tip: Depending on whether you play indoor or outdoor, you can hit very high lobs and even use the sun to disturb your opponent. 🌞

The Rulo

The rulo (also called “kick smash”) is a difficult shot. It is an overhead with strong topspin played over the dominant shoulder. The ball is brushed upward, flies high over the net and then bounces sharply and high off the back wall due to the spin, or exits the court sideways.

The Smash

The smash is the powerful finishing shot in padel, ideally sending the ball out of the court. It is usually played from the net position or after a short lob. The key is an explosive movement from the legs through the torso into the arm, combined with precise contact in front of the body. In the “kick smash” (also called Remate X3), the ball is hit with heavy topspin so that after bouncing off the back wall, it jumps high and steep or even flies out over the side fence.

The Vibora

The “viper” shot 🐍 is an aggressive overhead shot in padel. With strong sidespin, the ball is played flat and low, bouncing off the glass at a hard to predict angle and ideally landing at the opponents’ feet. It involves a larger backswing than the bandeja and carries more risk but also more impact.

The Volea (Volley)

The volley is played directly out of the air without letting the ball bounce. It is a compact shot with minimal backswing, mainly used at the net.

Forehand and backhand volleys differ technically:

In the forehand volley, you take the racket slightly back to the side and hit the ball in front of your body
In the backhand volley, the movement is even more compact, the racket stays almost still in front of the body and you block the ball more than you hit it
For both: no big follow through, otherwise you lose control.

Here you will also find recommended padel coaches in Vienna who can help you learn and perfect all these shots:

Published on May 3rd, 2026 by Gérald Piletta

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