Bandeja
Also known as: tray shot(term used as-is across languages)
A bandeja is a controlled defensive overhead — Spanish for "tray" — hit with slice to keep the point neutral and hold the net position, rather than to win the point outright.
When opponents lob, the bandeja lets the net team answer without smashing and losing position. Hit at about shoulder-to-head height with a sliced, tray-carrying motion, it places the ball deep with control so the team stays at the net. Mastering the bandeja over the riskier smash is what keeps experienced pairs in command of points. The headword is kept in Spanish across languages.
Example
Facing a lob, the net player hits a sliced bandeja into the back corner and holds position instead of going for a risky smash.
Related terms
- VíboraA víbora is an aggressive sliced overhead — Spanish for "viper" — hit with sidespin so it stays low and kicks awkwardly off the side glass, more attacking than a bandeja but more controlled than a smash.
- LobA lob is a high, deep shot hit over the opponents at the net to push them back off their attacking position — one of the most important tactical shots in padel.
- Wall PlayWall play is using the glass walls that enclose a padel court — letting a ball rebound off the back or side glass and playing it on the bounce, which keeps points alive far longer than in tennis.
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