The Padel Glossary: Bandeja, Vibora, Chiquita and More

Padel grew up in Spain and Latin America, so a lot of its vocabulary is Spanish. You do not need to learn it all, but knowing the key terms makes coaching and match chat far easier to follow.

Shots

• Bandeja. A controlled, sliced overhead played to keep your position at the net. It means "tray", after the flat racket position. Not a smash.
• Vibora. A more aggressive sliced overhead with sidespin, designed to skid low off the back glass.
• Remate. The smash.
• Por tres. A smash hit so hard it bounces over the side wall and out of the court. Usually a winner.
• Por cuatro. A smash that bounces back over the net to the hitter's side.
• Globo. The lob, arguably the most important shot in padel.
• Chiquita. A soft, low shot aimed at the feet of opponents at the net.
• Bajada. Attacking the ball after it has come off the back glass, usually with a forehand smash.
• Contrapared. Hitting the ball into your own wall to send it over the net.

Positions and scoring

• Drive and reves. The right and left sides of the court. The player on the left usually takes more overheads.
• Golden point. At deuce, one decisive point wins the game.
• Salida de pared. Playing the ball after it comes off the wall. The first thing every beginner learns.

Pick up a few of these and you will sound like a regular by your second session.

Opening soon in Birmingham

DOME PADEL is opening soon in Stechford with 8 indoor courts, coaching for every level, free parking and dedicated disabled padel courts. Register your interest at domepadelltd.com and you will hear about the opening date before anyone else.