Padel
A racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash, played on an enclosed court surrounded by walls.
Court
The playing area of padel, usually 10 meters wide and 20 meters long, surrounded by glass or mesh walls.
Walls
The glass or mesh walls enclosing the court, which players can use to bounce the ball during play.
Doubles
The standard format in padel, with two players on each team.
Singles
A variation of padel with one player on each team.
Pala
The Spanish word for “shovel,” another term for a padel racket.
Padel Bag
A bag specifically designed to carry padel equipment, including paddles, balls, towels, and other accessories.
Padel Court Shoes
Specialised shoes with non-marking soles designed to provide traction on the padel court while protecting its surface.
Rules and Scoring Terms
Ace
A serve that the receiver fails to touch with their racket, winning the point for the server.
Advantage
The point following a deuce. If the player with the advantage wins the next point, they win the game. If they lose it, the score returns to deuce.
All
Indicates that the score in a game is even, e.g., “30 all.”
Break
When the returning side wins the game over the serving side.
Deuce
When the score in a game is 40-40.
Double Fault
When a player fails to get their serve into the service box on both their first and second attempts, losing the point.
Fault
A serve that fails to land in the correct service box.
Foot Fault
A fault called if the server steps on or over the baseline before hitting the serve.
Golden Point
At a score of 40-40 in a game, the winner of the next point takes the game.
Let
A call to replay the point, often due to interference or a serve touching the net but landing in the correct service box.
Love
A scoring system term used when one or both pairs have 0 points.
Set
A unit of scoring in a match. The first player or team to win six games with a margin of at least two games wins the set.
Set Point
A situation where the player who wins the next point will win the set.
Super Tiebreak
A tiebreak played to 10 points instead of the usual 7.
Tiebreak
A scoring system used to decide the set if the score is 6-6 in games, typically played to 7 points and must be won by 2 points.
Two-Bounce Rule
The rule that allows the ball to bounce off the walls after the first bounce on the ground before being played.
Umpire
The referee of the game, typically sat on an elevated platform for a clearer view of the match.
Basic Types of Shots
Forehand
A stroke played with the front of the hand facing the ball at the moment of contact, usually on the dominant side of the body.
Backhand
A stroke played with the back of the hand facing the ball at the moment of contact, usually on the non-dominant side of the body.
Serve
The act of starting a point by hitting the ball into the opponent’s service box.
Smash
An attacking and hard overhead shot whose purpose is to decide the point.
Volley
A shot where the ball is struck before it bounces on the ground.
Lob
A high shot intended to go over the opponents’ heads, landing deep in their court.
Drop Shot
A delicate shot that lands just over the net, making it difficult for the opponent to reach.
Advanced Padel Shot Terms
Approach Shot
A shot that allows the player to move towards the net, putting them in a more offensive position.
Bajada
An aggressive shot to return high balls from the back of the court, usually hit with a downward angle and power.
Bandeja
A defensive overhead shot often used with backspin, where you try to maintain your position at the net and force your opponents to the back of the court.
Block
A defensive shot typically used by the player at the net to return a hard shot to the body.
Chiquita
A slow, soft shot to the opponents’ feet, often from the back of the court.
Chip Shot
A shot with a slicing motion, causing the ball to stay low and skid.
Cuchilla
An aggressive form of bajada from the back wall, where you apply side spin in the stroke.
Drop Volley
A soft volley aimed to land just over the net, making it difficult for the opponent to reach.
Gancho
A defensive, blocking overhead to a lob over one’s non-dominant shoulder.
Kick Smash
A smash with a lot of topspin, often causing the ball to bounce over the fence or return to the attacker’s court.
Passing Shot
A shot aimed to pass the opponent, who
is at the net, and land within the court.
Plano
A flat shot hit with the face of the racket parallel to the ground.
Push Shot
A shot hit with less force and more control, typically used to place the ball accurately rather than powerfully.
Punch Volley
A quick, firm volley with minimal backswing, usually aimed to surprise the opponent.
Rulo
An overhead shot with topspin, typically hit over the shoulder of the dominant side.
Slice
A shot with backspin, causing the ball to stay low and slow after bouncing.
Smash Down the Line
A powerful smash aimed straight down the sideline of the opponent’s court.
Tweener
A shot hit between the legs, often used as a defensive shot.
Vibora
An overhead shot that is more aggressive than a bandeja, hit with spin so the ball bounces off the glass at a difficult angle.
Volley Lob
A volley where you adjust the angle of the racket to lob the ball over the opponents.
Types of Grip
Continental Grip
The standard grip when holding the padel racket, similar to holding a hammer.
Overgrip
An additional layer of grip tape wrapped around the handle of the racket to improve hold and comfort.
Semi-Western Grip
A grip technique where the player holds the paddle slightly to the right (for right-handers) of the standard grip, facilitating topspin shots.
Other Padel Terms
Balance
Ratio of racket weight between the handle and the head.
Carbon Fiber
A rigid material used to make padel racket frames and surfaces.
Durability
How long a racket lasts.
Efecto
Spanish for “spin.”
EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate)
A type of foam used in padel racket cores, known for its high absorbency.
Fiberglass
Flexible and lightweight material that can be used in the surface of the padel racket.
Foam
A type of foam most commonly used in the core of softer padel rackets.
Frame
The head of the padel racket, made of materials like glass fiber, carbon fiber, or a combination.
Freezer
A strategy where a pair hits as many balls as possible to the same player in the opposing pair.
Handle
The shaft of the padel racket that you hold on to.
Kick Serve
A type of serve with topspin, causing the ball to bounce higher.
Love Game
A game won without the opponent scoring a point (scored as 40-0).
Maneuverability
How agile a racket moves, often related to the weight and balance of the racket.
Mondo
The official supplier of artificial grass for the World Padel Tour.
Padel Grip
The grip wrapped around the handle of the padel paddle, providing players with better control and stability.
Padel Overgrip
A thin grip that players wrap over the base grip to enhance comfort and absorb sweat.
Passing Lob
A lob that aims to pass over the opponent’s head.
Pole Effect
When a racket wobbles on its vertical axis, often indicating poor stability or balance.
Polyethylene
A type of foam used in padel racket cores.
Por Cuatro
A smash that is hit out of the court above the 4-meter wall.
Por Tres
A smash that is hit out of the court above the 3-meter wall.
Power
How much force a padel racket imprints onto the ball.
Push
A gentle shot with minimal force.
Reception
The return of serve, typically hit deep to start the point.
Remate
The Spanish term for a smash or overhead shot.
Reves
Spanish for backhand.
Roughness
The application of a rough surface on a padel racket’s face to assist players in generating spin on their shots.
Shot Selection
The ability to assess the game and choose the right shot in different situations.
Sweet Spot
The optimal hitting area on the racket face, usually around the centre.
Tachuela
A soft and delicate shot, typically a drop shot, that barely clears the net and lands close to it.
Targeting
Aiming shots to a specific area to exploit the opponent’s weaknesses.
Tennis Elbow
A common injury caused by repetitive strain on the elbow joint.
Wall Game
A style of play that involves using the walls to control the ball and set up shots.
Wall Return
Using the glass walls to return the ball.
Willy
A between-the-legs shot, often used as a defensive play.
Wrist Snap
The quick movement of the wrist to impart spin or speed to the ball, often used in serves and smashes.