Padel shots and terms explained
By the Finding Padel team · Updated 30 October 2026
Padel has its own vocabulary, much of it Spanish. The shots you will hear about first are the bandeja (a controlled overhead), the víbora (an overhead with slice), the chiquita (a soft, low ball to the feet), the lob (globo) and the smash. Here is what each one means and when to use it.
Overheads
Bandeja. A controlled overhead hit with a flat or slightly sliced swing, used to answer a lob without giving up the net. The aim is placement and depth, not winners. It is the most important overhead for improving players.
Víbora. A more aggressive cousin of the bandeja, hit with heavy side spin and slice so the ball skids low off the side glass. Harder to master.
Smash (remate). A full, flat overhead hit hard to finish the point.
Por tres (x3). A smash hit so hard that, after bouncing, it flies out of the court over the back or side wall. If out-of-court play is not allowed, it is an outright winner.
Por cuatro (x4). A smash angled so the ball bounces out through the side door and out of the court.
Rulo. A topspin smash that bounces high and kicks forward off the back glass.
Shots from the back
Bajada. An attacking shot hit after the ball comes off the back glass and rises high, played downwards like an overhead. The name means "coming down".
Salida de pared. Any shot played after the ball comes off the back or side wall. The core padel skill.
Contrapared. A defensive shot hit into your own back wall so that the ball loops over the net. It is legal, as long as it then lands on the opponents' ground.
Chiquita. A soft, low shot aimed at the feet of the net players, usually played from the back to set up an attack.
Globo (lob). A high ball over the net players, used to push them back and take the net yourself.
At the net
Volley. A shot hit before the ball bounces, usually close to the net.
Dejada. A drop shot that dies just over the net.
Positions and roles
Drive. The player on the right side of the court. Also a groundstroke on the forehand side.
Revés. The player on the left side. Also the backhand.
Pared. Wall. Reja / malla. The metal mesh fence.
Scoring words
Golden point. At 40 all, a single deciding point wins the game. See padel scoring.
Star point. In the 2026 rules, two rounds of advantage, then a single deciding point.
Let. A point or serve that is replayed.
Quick answers
What is a bandeja in padel?
A controlled overhead that keeps you at the net after a lob, aimed deep rather than hit for a winner.
What is the difference between a bandeja and a víbora?
The víbora is hit with more side spin and aggression so it skids off the side glass. The bandeja is flatter and safer.
What is a por tres?
A smash that bounces and flies out over the wall, ending the point unless out-of-court play is allowed.
Where to play padel near you
Club details last checked 30 Oct 2026.
Keep reading
Learn how to play padel in ten minutes: the serve, the one-bounce rule, playing off the walls, where to stand with your partner and the shots to learn first.
Padel scoring works like tennis: 15, 30, 40, game, first to six games. Here is how deuce, golden point, star point and tie-breaks work, with worked examples.
The official rules of padel in plain English. Can the ball hit the wall? What if it hits the fence? Can you touch the net? Every common situation, with the FIP rule behind it.