Padel Shots

The shot that starts every rally. Bounce the ball behind the service line and hit it underarm, no higher than your waist, diagonally into your opponent's box. You get two goes. A serve that bounces in and then hits the mesh is a fault.

The shot on your stronger side, usually played after the ball bounces off the floor or the glass. Control beats power here. Keep the backswing short, the wrist firm and the ball low, so the pair at the net can't do much with it.

The shot from your other side. Most players hit it with one hand, but two hands is fine too. Go with whatever feels right. A compact swing with a bit of slice keeps the ball low and accurate. That counts for more than pace.

A shot out of the air, before the ball bounces. You'll mostly play it at the net. The net is the best place to be in padel, and the volley is how you stay there. Think short, firm punch towards your opponents' feet or into the gap.

A high ball over the heads of the pair at the net, landing deep near their back glass. It's the most important defensive shot in padel. It pushes them back and buys you time to take the net.

A big overhead to finish the point. The ball comes back into play off the back glass, so power alone won't do it. The smash needs to be fast enough or well placed enough that they can't return it off the wall. The showiest versions are por tres and por cuatro.

A smash that bounces in your opponents' half and flies out of the court over the side wall. The only way to return it is to run out through the door and play it from outside. That rarely works.

An even harder smash. After the bounce, the ball flies out over the back wall, clearing four metres of glass and mesh. It takes real power and a clean strike. When it comes off, the point is usually over.

A controlled, sliced overhead. You usually play it from around the service line after being lobbed. The aim isn't to win the point but to keep your place at the net. The ball travels flatter and stays low off the glass. Bandeja is Spanish for tray, after the motion of a waiter carrying one.

The bandeja's more aggressive sibling. You hit it faster, more from the side and with sidespin. The ball skids low off the side glass and is hard to return. Víbora is Spanish for viper.

A soft, low ball from the back of the court that drops at the feet of the pair at the net. They have to volley it upwards. That gives you the chance to move in and take the net. The name means little one in Spanish.

Playing the ball after it comes off the glass, usually the back wall. Let the ball go past you. Wait for it to rebound and slow down. Then play your shot. This is what sets padel apart from tennis most, so it's the first thing worth drilling.

An attacking shot after the ball comes off the back glass. If it rebounds high, don't wait for it to drop. Hit it hard at shoulder height or above. Defence becomes attack.