Padel Glossary
A searchable dictionary of padel terms — shots, court, rules, equipment and strategy.
Shots
Bandeja
A signature padel overhead hit with slice, used to keep the net position rather than finish the point.
Vibora
An aggressive variation of the bandeja with topspin-slice that kicks sharply off the side glass.
Smash (Remate)
A powerful overhead aimed at winning the point outright, often bounced off the back wall.
Chiquita
A soft, low dipping shot aimed at the opponents' feet to regain the net.
Bajada
Attacking the lob before it reaches the back wall — an aggressive transition move toward the net.
Contra-pared
Playing the ball off your own side wall to turn a defensive position into a controlled shot.
Lob (Globo)
A high ball hit to push opponents back or buy time to recover position.
Volley
A punchy shot taken before the ball bounces, the bread and butter of net play.
Drive (Forehand)
The most common groundstroke, hit with the racket hand on the dominant side after the bounce.
Backhand (Revés)
A groundstroke hit with the back of the racket hand facing the ball.
Slice
A shot with backspin that keeps the ball low and slow, useful for defense and control.
Court
Net (Red)
The dividing net, 88 cm high at the center, separating the two sides of the court.
Service Box
The area where the serve must land, marked on each side of the court.
Glass (Cristal)
The transparent back and side walls of a padel court; the ball may rebound off them and stay in play.
Mesh (Malla)
The metallic mesh sections of the court enclosure, which produce unpredictable rebounds.
Rules
Serve (Saque)
An underhand serve hit diagonally into the opponent's service box, bouncing below waist height.
Double Bounce
If the ball bounces twice on your side before you hit it, the point is lost.
Let
A serve replayed when the ball clips the net and lands in the correct service box.
Equipment
Continental Grip
The foundational racket grip where the hand sits as if shaking hands with the racket; used for almost every padel shot.
Overgrip
A thin wrap applied over the base grip to add cushioning and absorb sweat; replace every few sessions.
Sweet Spot
The central area of the racket face that produces the best-controlled, most powerful contact.
Strategy
Australian Formation
A formation where both players stand on the same side during the serve to create angles, then switch.
General
Split Step
A small hop just before the opponent hits, used to load the legs and react quickly in any direction.
Trophy Position
The loaded, side-on preparation position for an overhead — racket up, non-dominant arm raised.