Intermediate
Smash
Also known as: remate
A smash is a powerful overhead hit downward to finish a point. In padel it is often played to bounce the ball off the glass and out of the court (a "por tres" or "por cuatro").
Unlike tennis, a padel smash can win the point by rebounding off the opponents’ back or side glass and bouncing out of the enclosure entirely. Because going for a full smash surrenders net position if it fails, experienced players choose it selectively, preferring the bandeja or víbora to hold the net unless the ball is clearly attackable.
Example
On a short, high ball, the player smashes it down so hard it bounces off the back glass and flies out of the court for a winner.
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.
- BandejaA 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.
Related guides & benchmarks
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