x3 and x4 Smash
Also known as: x3, x4, por 3, por 4, x3 smash, x4 smash, smash por tres, smash por cuatro
An 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.
Both shots need a short, high lob that you can take inside the service line. Turn sideways early, point your free arm at the ball and get under it with small steps. Make contact high and in front at full reach. Without that setup, a bandeja or víbora is the safer choice. Players use the names a little differently, and the rulebook defines neither.
For the x3, many players brush up and across the ball for kick spin. The spin makes the ball jump high and sideways after the bounce. With enough pace, it carries over the side wall. For the x4, hit flatter and harder, steeply down from close to the net. The ball bounces with enough height and pace to clear the back wall.
The rules treat the two exits differently. Where out-of-court play is allowed, defenders may run out and return a ball that left over the side wall or through a door. They must play it before it bounces a second time. A ball that bounces in court and then leaves over the back wall wins the point. Where out-of-court play is not allowed, either exit wins the point.
Tips by skill level
Learn the bandeja first. Try the x3 or x4 only on short, high lobs near the net, when you have time to set.
Where out-of-court play is allowed, defenders can chase an x3. A ball over the back wall cannot be chased. That makes the x4 the surer winner there.
Example
At the net, she gets a short lob on the left. She turns, reaches up and brushes a kick smash that jumps over the side wall. Out-of-court play isn't allowed at this club, and the point is hers.
Why it matters
The x3 and x4 are padel's showpiece finishes. Knowing when they are on, and when a bandeja is wiser, keeps you from giving away the net.
Common mistakes
- Going for an x3 or x4 from behind the service line
- Swinging flat and hard at an x3 with no spin
- Going for it on a lob that is low, deep or behind you
- Forgetting that defenders can run out for an x3 where out-of-court play is allowed
Frequently asked questions
How do I hit an x3 in padel?
Take a short, high lob close to the net and turn sideways. Reach up and brush the ball with kick spin so it bounces high and jumps out over the side wall. Without a good lob, play a bandeja instead.
What is the difference between an x3 and an x4 in padel?
An x3 leaves the court over the side wall after bouncing. An x4 leaves over the back wall. Players use the names a little differently, and the rulebook defines neither.
Can you return an x3 in padel?
Sometimes. Where out-of-court play is allowed, defenders may run out after a ball that left over the side wall or through a door. They must play it before it bounces twice. A ball that leaves over the back wall wins the point.
Sources
Related terms
- 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.
- SmashA smash is a powerful overhead hit downward to finish a point. Here it is often aimed at the back panel so the ball rebounds clean out of the enclosure — the signature finish of the sport.
- RuloA rulo is an overhead smash hit with heavy topspin rather than flat or sliced. It clears the net with margin, then kicks forward hard and low off the bounce.
- Attacking a Short LobAttacking a short lob means hitting a smash, rulo, or aggressive overhead on a lob that lands inside the service line. It is padel's clearest attacking window.
- Bandeja vs Vibora DecisionThis is the split-second read a net player makes on a moderate lob — too deep to smash, not defensive enough to simply reset. The safe option holds position and asks nothing of your footing; the aggressive one adds pressure but demands both. When in doubt the read is safety.
- Beginner Mistake: Smashing Every LobSmashing every lob is the beginner habit of hitting every overhead at full power, whatever the situation. It leads to more unforced errors than smashing selectively.
Related guides & benchmarks
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