Essential Padel Shots and Techniques Every Player Should Learn

The Shots That Define Your Padel Game

Padel rewards smart shot selection over raw power. Unlike tennis, where a single crushing forehand can win a point outright, padel is a game of construction, patience, and knowing exactly which shot to play in each situation. Learning the core shots and understanding when to use them will transform you from a casual player into someone opponents genuinely respect.

According to the International Padel Federation (FIP), padel is now played in over 90 countries worldwide, and as the sport grows, the technical level keeps rising. Whether you are picking up a racket for the first time or looking to sharpen your game, these are the shots you need in your arsenal.

The Bandeja: Your Go-To Overhead

The bandeja is the most important overhead shot in padel. It is a controlled, sliced overhead that keeps you in position at the net while pushing your opponents back. Think of it as a defensive smash: you are not trying to end the point, but rather maintaining pressure.

To hit a good bandeja:

• Position yourself sideways, with your non-hitting shoulder pointing toward the net
• Contact the ball at head height or slightly above, out in front of your body
• Use a slicing motion, cutting underneath the ball to generate backspin
• Follow through across your body, keeping the racket face slightly open
• Aim toward the side glass to make the return difficult for your opponent

The bandeja is particularly effective when a lob pushes you away from the net but does not go high enough for a full smash. It lets you stay aggressive without giving up your net position.

The Vibora: Adding Venom to Your Overhead

The vibora (Spanish for "viper") is the bandeja's aggressive cousin. While the bandeja focuses on control and placement, the vibora adds sidespin and speed to create a ball that bounces unpredictably off the glass.

Key differences from the bandeja:

• The swing path is more lateral, almost like swatting a fly to the side
• You generate heavy sidespin rather than pure backspin
• The ball hits the side glass at an angle, making it kick away from the receiver
• Contact point is slightly further in front compared to the bandeja

The vibora works best when you have time to set up and want to put real pressure on your opponents. It is a crowd-favorite shot at professional tournaments and a skill worth developing once you are comfortable with the bandeja.

The Chiquita: The Great Equalizer

The chiquita is a soft, low shot played at the feet of the net player. It is one of the most important shots for the returning team because it helps you transition from the back of the court to the net. The name comes from the Spanish word for "small," and that perfectly describes the shot: small, precise, and devastatingly effective.

How to execute the chiquita:

• Use a short, compact swing with a slightly open racket face
• Aim to land the ball just past the net, low and at your opponent's feet
• Keep the ball soft so it does not bounce high enough for an easy volley
• Target the middle of the court or directly at the net player's body

The chiquita forces the net player to hit upward, giving you and your partner time to move forward and take the net. It is the single best tool for breaking through a team that has established net position.

The Lob: Resetting the Point

The lob is fundamental to padel strategy. A well-placed lob over your opponents' heads forces them to retreat from the net, giving you a chance to take their position. In padel, the lob is used far more frequently than in tennis because the enclosed court means the ball stays in play even when it goes deep.

There are two main types of lobs:

• Flat lob: Hit with pace and minimal spin, designed to sail over opponents quickly. Best used when opponents are very close to the net.
• Topspin lob: Hit with forward rotation, causing the ball to dip and then kick off the back glass. Harder to execute but more effective against experienced players.

Tips for better lobs:

• Aim for height and depth rather than just clearing your opponents
• Target the corners to maximize the angle your opponents must cover
• Disguise your lob by using a similar preparation to your regular groundstrokes
• Mix lobs with drives to keep opponents guessing

The Smash: When to Go for the Winner

The smash, or remate, is padel's power shot. When a lob sits up high enough, a well-timed smash can end the point or create a ball that bounces over the back glass for an outright winner (known as a "por tres" or "out the back").

However, the smash in padel requires more thought than in tennis. Because the walls keep the ball in play, a poorly placed smash often comes back, sometimes setting up an easy counter-attack. The World Padel Tour professionals pick their moments carefully, and you should too.

When to smash:

• The lob is short and high, giving you time to position properly
• You have a clear target, such as the side glass at a sharp angle
• Your partner is ready at the net to cover the return
• You are balanced and can generate power without overextending

When NOT to smash:

• You are off-balance or reaching behind you
• A bandeja or vibora would maintain better court position
• The lob is deep and close to the back glass

The Volley: Controlling the Net

Net play wins points in padel, and the volley is your primary weapon up front. Good volleying technique keeps the ball low and forces opponents to hit upward, giving you the advantage.

Essential volley fundamentals:

• Keep your racket up and in front of your body at all times
• Use a short, punching motion rather than a big swing
• Step forward into the ball whenever possible
• Angle volleys toward the feet of the opposing net player or into open space
• Stay on your toes with your knees slightly bent, ready to react

The split step is critical for good volleying. As your opponent prepares to hit, take a small hop and land on both feet. This puts you in a neutral, balanced position to move in any direction.

The Bajada: Playing Off the Back Glass

The bajada (meaning "descent") is the shot you hit after the ball bounces off the back glass. This is unique to padel and one of the trickiest techniques to learn. Rather than hitting the ball before it reaches the glass, you let it bounce off and strike it on the way down.

Tips for the bajada:

• Practice reading how the ball comes off the glass at different angles and speeds
• Position yourself about an arm's length from the back glass
• Let the ball drop to a comfortable hitting height
• Use a smooth, controlled swing and focus on placement over power
• Aim crosscourt or play a lob to give yourself time to recover

For more on reading the glass and positioning, check out our guide on how to use the walls in padel.

Building Your Shot Selection

Knowing how to hit each shot is only half the battle. Great padel players read the point and choose the right shot for each situation. Here is a simple framework:

• When you are at the net: Use volleys and bandejas to maintain pressure. Go for the smash only when the opportunity is clear.
• When you are at the back: Use lobs to move opponents off the net, and chiquitas to create openings for you to advance forward.
• When the ball comes off the glass: Stay patient with bajadas and look for the right moment to play a more aggressive shot.

The best way to improve your shot selection is to play with and against better players. Watch how they construct points, notice which shots they choose in different situations, and start applying those patterns to your own game. The Padel School offers excellent visual breakdowns of professional point construction that can accelerate your learning.

Ready to put these shots into practice? Find a padel court near you and start drilling. The difference between knowing a shot and owning it comes down to repetition on the court.