Defending an x3 or x4 Smash
Also known as: defend an x3, how to defend an x3, defending the x3, defending the por tres, defending a smash that leaves the court, stop the x3 smash
To defend an x3 or x4, stop it at the source with deep lobs the smasher cannot take close to the net. When your lob falls short, move back and read the smash early. Where out-of-court play is allowed, run out through the nearest door for a ball leaving over the side wall and lob it back before its second bounce. A ball that bounces and leaves over the back wall cannot be chased.
Both smashes need a short, high lob that the attacker can hit from near the net. The first line of defence is a deep lob that lands near the back glass, or a low ball at the net players' feet. When your lob falls short, expect the smash and get ready to defend rather than watching it.
Watch the smasher's body. A player who turns fully sideways under a short ball, close to the net, is set up to finish. Move back toward the glass. An x3 bounces and kicks toward the side wall. Many defenders start toward the door on that side as soon as they see the kick. Your partner covers the middle and the other side.
Where out-of-court play is allowed, a ball that bounces in your court and leaves over the side wall or through a door can still be played until its second bounce. Sprint out through the nearest opening and get behind the ball. A common return is a high lob back over the wall or through the door into the opponents' court. It buys time to get back in. Where out-of-court play is not allowed, or the ball leaves over the back wall, the point is lost once it leaves the court. There is little time to stop an x4 once it bounces. Defending it starts with keeping your lobs deep.
Tips by skill level
When your lob lands short, call 'short' to your partner and both move back. Most smashes are easier to defend from deep.
Learn where the doors are on your court before the match. When the ball kicks toward a door, your first step should already be toward it.
Example
Lobbed short, Raúl sees his opponent turn sideways at the net. He backs toward the glass, sees the ball kick out through the door and sprints out after it. His lob from outside sails back over the wall and lands deep.
Why it matters
Both the x3 and the x4 end points at once. Better lobs and a planned escape route turn some of them back into rallies.
Common mistakes
- Lobbing short and then standing still to watch the smash
- Chasing a ball that bounced and left over the back wall
- Running out on a court where out-of-court play is not allowed
- Trying a hard drive from outside instead of a high lob
Frequently asked questions
How do you defend an x3 smash in padel?
Keep your lobs deep to stop it at the source. If one comes, move back, read the kick and, where out-of-court play is allowed, run out through the door and lob it back before its second bounce.
How do you stop opponents hitting x3 smashes in padel?
Lob deep. Both the x3 and the x4 need a short, high lob that can be hit close to the net. A lob that lands near the back glass, or a low ball at their feet, takes the shot away.
Can you defend an x4 in padel?
Only before it leaves the court. A ball that bounces and goes out over the back wall wins the point for the smasher. Keep your lobs deep and the x4 is not on.
Sources
Related terms
- x3 and x4 SmashAn x3 is a smash that bounces in the opponents' court and leaves over the side wall. An x4 bounces and leaves over the back wall. To hit either, take a short, high lob close to the net, turn sideways and hit hard and down. Use kick spin for the x3 and a flatter strike for the x4.
- Por TresA "por tres" is an overhead that bounces, rebounds high and exits over the side wall. Unless the event allows play outside the court, it wins the point, which is why attacking overheads aim at the glass.
- Out-of-Court PlayOut-of-court play lets you run out through a side opening to return a ball that has left the court, where the court has the clear space the FIP rules require. You must play the ball before it bounces a second time or touches anything outside. A ball that bounces in your court and leaves over the back wall still wins the point for the hitter. Where out-of-court play isn't allowed, any ball that leaves after a legal bounce wins the point.
- Defensive LobA Defensive Lob is a high, flat or slightly underspin lob hit from a difficult position to reset the point and force opponents away from the net, prioritising height and depth over power or spin.
- High Defensive LobA High Defensive Lob is an extreme-height version of the defensive lob — launched as high as the enclosure allows — primarily to buy maximum recovery time when defending under severe pressure.
- Cover PlayCover Play refers to one partner temporarily taking responsibility for more than their half of the court to protect the gap left when the other partner is displaced, stretched, or out of position.
Related guides & benchmarks
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