Padel shots – technique, contact point, swing
A structured overview of the most important basic and special shots in padel. Each shot is explained with grip, contact point and swing. For the Spanish terms we explain their literal meaning or figurative origin, so you can better understand the character and intention of each shot.
Derecha (forehand)
Revés (backhand)
Saque (serve)
Globo (lob)
Bloqueo (block)
Volea (volley)
Remate (smash)
Bandeja (“tray”)
Víbora (“viper”)
Chiquita (short, soft net shot)
Bajada de pared por arriba (overhead off the wall)
Bajada de pared por abajo (low counter off the wall)
Gancho (hook smash)
Rulo (curling topspin smash)
Remate por entre las piernas (tweener)
Golpes básicos / Basic shots
1. Derecha (forehand)
Grip: Continental or Eastern grip
Contact point: To the side, in front of the body, at hip height
Swing: Smooth and slightly upward; good body rotation for stability and control
2. Revés (backhand)
Grip: One-handed: continental grip / two-handed: support hand on top for extra power
Contact point: In front of the body with a slightly closed racket face
Swing: Compact and precise, steady finish with your weight moving forward
3. Saque (serve)
Grip: Continental grip
Contact point: After the bounce, below the waist
Swing: Relaxed and controlled with a forward motion; use your weight transfer
4. Globo (lob)
Grip: Loose continental grip
Contact point: Underneath the ball, slightly open racket face
Swing: Gentle upward movement, aimed over the opponents’ heads
5. Bloqueo (block)
Grip: Firm continental grip
Contact point: Directly in front of the body in a neutral position
Swing: Hardly any; the racket simply stabilises and directs the ball
6. Volea (volley)
Grip: Continental grip
Contact point: In front of the body, taken as early as possible
Swing: Short, crisp movement combining pace and control
7. Remate (smash)
Grip: Between continental and Eastern grip
Contact point: High above the head at the ideal contact point
Swing: Powerful overhead follow-through with full body extension
Golpes especiales / Special shots
1. Bandeja (“tray”)
Meaning: “Bandeja” means “tray” – the racket is held a bit like a serving tray during the shot
Grip: Continental grip
Contact point: To the side above the head, after an opponent’s lob
Swing: Flat and controlled, without a full follow-through; the aim is to build pressure while keeping the net position and not giving the opponent a counter-attack
2. Víbora (“viper”)
Meaning: The name refers to the “venomous”, whip-like spin of this shot
Grip: Usually continental grip, slightly varied for more spin
Contact point: To the side above the head, usually diagonal to the body
Swing: Whipping forward motion with heavy slice or side spin; more aggressive than the bandeja and played with much more pressure
3. Chiquita (short, soft net shot)
Meaning: “Chiquita” means “little” or “delicate” – the shot is short, flat and precise
Grip: Loose continental grip
Contact point: Low, close to the net
Swing: Minimal, precise stroke to drop the ball in front of the opposing net player
4. Bajada de pared por arriba (overhead off the wall)
Meaning: “Bajada” = descent, “pared” = wall – a shot after the ball rebounds off the wall
Grip: Continental or Eastern grip
Contact point: After contact with the back wall, at shoulder to head height
Swing: Powerful, downward shot aimed at going back on the attack after the rebound
5. Bajada de pared por abajo (low counter off the wall)
Grip: Continental grip
Contact point: Low after contact with the back wall, often below knee height
Swing: Flat, upward stroke, often placed or played as a diagonal counter
6. Gancho (hook smash)
Meaning: “Gancho” means “hook” – an overhead pulled to the side
Grip: Continental grip
Contact point: High above the head, usually provoked by lobs into the middle of the court
Swing: Angled overhead with a change of direction and topspin, often played diagonally
7. Rulo (curling topspin smash)
Meaning: “Rulo” means “curl” or “spiral” – a nod to the heavy rotation
Grip: Depends on the desired topspin – usually slightly open
Contact point: High above the body, hitting slightly above the centre of the ball
Swing: Sideways stroke with lots of topspin, often played cross-court or down the line with an outward curve
8. Remate por entre las piernas (tweener)
Grip: Neutral grip
Contact point: The ball is behind the body; the shot is hit between the legs
Swing: Fluid back-to-front movement through the legs, usually to rescue a lob from the baseline
Read more: The best way to learn these shots is with a coach on court. You’ll find all our offers under padel coaching in Dresden – or simply request a training session.
