Discover the intricacies of padel shots, from the familiar forehands and backhands to the unique Bandeja and Vibora, as we delve into the origins and techniques of these distinct racket maneuvers.
Exploring the World of Padel Shots
The Padel Shots - Bandeja, Vibora, and All Others
The different shots in padel are both similar to and different from those in tennis and other racket sports. While the classic forehand, backhand, and serve shots exist in padel, they have their own unique characteristics. Originally developed in Mexico and later refined in Spain and Argentina, it's no wonder most shots have their roots in the Spanish language. Here's a deeper understanding of the various shots:
Serve:
Just like in other racket sports, the game must start with a serve. In padel, the serve must be performed from below and the hit must not occur above the waist. It's not uncommon to serve with the backhand. The serve must also bounce in the receiver's service box. A faulty serve, where the ball bounces off the glass part of the wall, is counted as out.
Forehand and backhand:
Although the shots resemble those in tennis, the swing in padel is usually shorter and has less spin due to the smaller court. If the shots have too much spin, they can become easy setups for the opponent.
Volley and Smash:
These shots resemble those in tennis but require different techniques. An important detail is that the smash must be powerful enough or angled when it bounces off the back wall to avoid being an easy setup for the opponent.
Bandeja:
A unique shot in padel that resembles a high volley. It's mainly used to defend the net and create time between shots. The bandeja shot is common and requires skill to master.
Vibora:
A shot similar to the bandeja but more offensive and with more spin. It's used to put pressure on the opponent and can be difficult to defend against.
Dejada:
A stop shot used to surprise the opponent and change the direction of the ball.
Chiquita:
A loose, low shot that can be used to vary the game and make the opponent lose balance.
Amague:
A feint shot where you trick the opponent into thinking you're going to hit a hard shot, but instead hit a softer one.
Bajada:
A shot used when high balls bounce off the back wall, providing an opportunity to hit a powerful shot from the back glass.
Globo/Lobb:
Padel is known for using lobs in the game, and a well-executed lob can be crucial in a match. The lob should be hit with a little underspin to avoid the opponent's smash.
Head out onto the court and practice your padel shots to become a master on the field!