Padel Shots Explained: Bandeja, Víbora, Bajada and More

Spend ten minutes around a padel court and you will hear a stream of Spanish words flying between players. Bandeja. Víbora. Chiquita. Bajada. It can feel like a secret language, but each word describes a specific kind of shot, and once you know them the game starts to make a lot more sense.

Padel was born in Mexico in 1969 and grew up in Spain and Argentina, which is why so much of the vocabulary is Spanish. This guide breaks down the key shots in plain English, explains where the Bajada name comes from, and gives you a few tips on how to start using each one.

First, a quick word on the court

To understand padel shots, you need to understand the court. It is enclosed by glass walls and mesh fencing, and the ball is allowed to bounce off those walls after it has bounced on the floor. That single rule changes everything. In tennis, a ball that gets past you is gone. In padel, a ball that gets past you may well come back off the back glass, giving you a second chance.

The game is played in doubles, serves are hit underarm, and scoring follows the same system as tennis. The racket is solid, with no strings and a perforated face, and the ball is similar to a tennis ball but plays a little softer. With that in mind, here are the shots you will hear about most.

The basics: drives, volleys and the serve

The serve. Padel serves are underarm and must bounce before you strike the ball at around waist height. The point is to start the rally safely, not to blast an ace, so most beginners focus on placement and consistency.

The drive (forehand and backhand). A drive is a standard groundstroke played after the ball has bounced. You will use it constantly, especially as you learn to read the walls.

The volley. Hit the ball out of the air before it bounces. Volleys are the bread and butter of net play, where most points are won.

The globo (lob)

The globo is a high, looping shot sent over your opponents’ heads. It is one of the most important shots in the game because it pushes the other pair back and lets you take the net. A good lob should land deep, close to the back wall, so the ball is awkward to attack. Beginners often under-use the lob, but it is often the smartest option when you are under pressure.

The bandeja

The bandeja, which means “tray” in Spanish, is an overhead shot played with slice, usually from near the net or just behind it. Instead of smashing the ball as hard as possible, you hit it with a controlled, slightly sliced swing so it travels deep, stays low after the bounce and gives you time to hold your position at the net.

Why does this matter? Because in padel, keeping the net is a huge advantage. A big smash that comes back off the glass can be dangerous, but a bandeja keeps you in control. It is a shot of patience, placement and rhythm, and many coaches call it the shot that separates beginners from improving players.

The víbora

The víbora, or “viper”, is the bandeja’s more aggressive cousin. It is also an overhead shot with slice, but it is typically struck with more sidespin, a flatter swing and a little more pace. The ball tends to kick sideways off the glass, making it awkward for your opponents to handle.

It takes more timing and touch than the bandeja, so most players learn the bandeja first. Once that feels comfortable, the víbora becomes a fun way to add variety and put opponents on the back foot.

The bajada

Now to the shot that gives our brand its name. In padel, a bajada (from the Spanish for “descent”) is the shot played when the ball comes down off the back wall, giving you a chance to attack it as it drops. You wait for the ball to bounce, hit the glass behind you and come off it, then you step in and take it at the right height, often turning defence into attack in a single swing.

The bajada is the shot that shows off the sport’s signature skill: reading the rebound. It rewards good footwork, patience and a clear head. It also looks great, with the ball and the wall seemingly working together to hand you the point. That is why we built the Bajada padel range around it, and why our logo shows a ball arcing off the glass and dropping into play.

The chiquita

The chiquita is a soft, low shot played to the feet of opponents at the net. It is not meant to win the point outright. Instead, it is a way to neutralise an attack, push your opponents back and gradually move forward yourself. If the lob is the shot that takes the net, the chiquita is often the shot that helps you win it back.

The smash (remate)

The remate is padel’s version of the smash. You hit the ball hard from above, usually after a short lob. There is an important difference from tennis, though: a smash that bounces and then hits the glass behind can easily come back, so many players aim to hit it out of the court altogether. Smashes that fly out of the court over the side wall or fence are known by names like the “por tres” and “por cuatro” and can end a point on the spot. They are spectacular, but they are also risky, so most club players save them for the right moment.

Wall shots

Because the walls are part of the game, you also need to learn how to play the ball off them. The most common is the salida de pared, where you hit the ball after it comes off the back wall. Others involve side walls, double walls and the tricky corners. These shots take time to master, but the best advice is simple: stay patient, give the ball room and let it come to you rather than rushing forward.

Practical tips for learning these shots

1.           Start with consistency. Before attempting fancy shots, get comfortable hitting reliable drives and volleys.

2.           Learn the lob early. It is the shot that buys you time and space.

3.           Watch the rebound. Pay attention to how the ball behaves off the glass. Every court plays a little differently.

4.           Move your feet. Padel is as much about positioning as swinging.

5.           Take a lesson. A coach can fix bad habits quickly, and many venues offer group sessions for beginners.

Dress for the movement

Padel shots demand a lot from your body. Overheads need shoulder freedom, wall shots need quick turns and lunging, and long rallies mean you are going to sweat. Lightweight, breathable clothing with room to move makes a genuine difference. If you are not sure where to start, read our guide on what to wear to play padel, or learn why a mesh padel jersey is a popular choice.

Quick answers

What is the most important shot in padel? Many coaches say the lob, because it lets you gain the net, but the bandeja and a reliable drive are close behind.

Is the bajada hard to learn? It is easier to start than to master. The basics are about patience and positioning, and the rest comes with practice.

Do I need to know all the Spanish terms? Not at all, but it is fun to learn them, and they will help you follow commentary and coaching videos.

Make the rebound your signature

Padel rewards players who think a shot ahead, use the walls and keep their cool. Learn the bandeja, add the víbora, master the bajada and you will find the game opening up in front of you. And when you are ready to look the part, explore the Bajada collection, designed in Australia by Sharp by Design.