The shot everyone wants to hit — and the technique most beginners get wrong

The smash is the most exciting shot in padel. There’s nothing quite like connecting cleanly with an overhead and watching the ball rocket past your opponents. But it’s also the shot that beginners mess up most often — hitting it into the net, sending it flying out of the court, or missing the ball entirely.

The good news is that padel smash tips are straightforward once you understand the mechanics. It’s not about swinging as hard as possible — it’s about positioning, timing, and using your body’s rotation to generate controlled power. Let’s break it down.

Why Most Beginners Struggle with the Smash

Before we get into technique, let’s address why the smash feels so difficult at first. Understanding these common problems makes the solutions click faster:

• Wrong positioning: You’re not underneath the ball. The most common error is trying to smash a ball that’s in front of you or behind you, rather than directly above.
• Flat contact: Hitting the ball flat sends it straight into the back glass, where your opponents can easily return it. A good smash needs some angle or slice.
• All arm, no body: Swinging with just your arm produces weak, inconsistent smashes. Power comes from your legs and core rotation, not your shoulder.
• Rushing: Trying to hit the ball as early as possible rather than waiting for the right moment. The ball isn’t going anywhere — take your time to set up properly.

The Padel Smash: Step-by-Step Technique

Step 1: Read the Lob Early

The moment you see the ball going up, start moving. Track the ball with your non-racket hand pointed at it — this isn’t just a style thing, it genuinely helps you judge the ball’s trajectory and keeps your body sideways, which is the correct hitting position.

Step 2: Get Underneath the Ball

Move your feet so the ball is slightly in front of your hitting shoulder when it reaches the ideal contact point. Most beginners stand too far back. You want to be able to reach up and slightly forward — if you’re reaching behind your head, you’ve let the ball drift too far.

Step 3: Turn Sideways

As you prepare to hit, turn your body sideways to the net. Your non-racket shoulder should point toward the net. This coils your core like a spring, storing energy that you’ll release through the shot. Facing the net square-on is the number one reason beginners lack power on their smash.

Step 4: The Swing — High to Low

Reach up with your racket hand, contact the ball at the highest point you can comfortably reach, and swing down and through the ball. The motion is similar to a throwing action — think of throwing a ball overhand. Your wrist snaps through at contact, adding speed and angle.

The downward angle is critical. You’re not hitting the ball flat across the court — you’re hitting it into the ground on your opponents’ side so it bounces high and fast. The steeper the angle, the harder the smash is to return.

Step 5: Follow Through and Recover

Let your racket follow through naturally toward the opposite hip. Don’t stop the swing at contact — decelerating mid-swing reduces power and control. After the follow-through, immediately recover to a ready position at the net because the ball may come back.

Smash & Glass Tip: In padel, unlike tennis, the smash doesn’t always end the point. The glass walls give your opponents a second chance. Hit your smash with control and angle, then be ready for the return. The ‘kill shot’ mentality from tennis will lose you points in padel.

Three Types of Padel Smash to Learn

The Flat Smash (Power)

Hit with maximum power and a downward angle. Aim for the ball to bounce once and fly over the back glass — an unreturnable winner. This is the riskiest smash because it requires precise contact and angle. Use it when the lob is short and you’re well-positioned.

The Tray Shot / Bandeja (Control)

A sliced overhead hit with a sideways action. Less power but much more control. The ball stays low after bouncing, making it difficult for your opponents to attack. This is the smash you’ll use 70% of the time, especially when the lob is deep and you can’t hit a clean flat smash.

The Vibora (Advanced)

A spin-heavy overhead that curves sideways after bouncing off the glass. It’s the most deceptive smash and the hardest to learn. For beginners, focus on the flat smash and bandeja first. The vibora will come naturally once your overhead technique is solid.

Common Padel Smash Mistakes (and Fixes)

Practice Drill: The Smash Repetition

Player A feeds 10 lobs from the baseline. Player B practises the smash from the net position. After 10 shots, switch roles. Focus on one aspect at a time: first practice getting underneath the ball, then add the sideways turn, then focus on the downward angle. Don’t try to perfect everything at once.

Want more drills? Check out our top 10 essential padel drills for beginners and our dedicated drill guide for partner practice.

Need a racket that helps with overhead shots? See our best padel rackets for beginners — look for teardrop shapes if you want extra smash power.

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The net is where points are won — here’s how to own it

If there’s one thing that separates good padel players from everyone else, it’s their net game. The volley is the foundation of winning padel — the team that controls the net controls the point. Yet most beginners avoid the net because volleying feels rushed, awkward, and unpredictable.

These padel volley tips will change that. Volleying isn’t about fast reactions or athletic ability — it’s about positioning, preparation, and keeping things simple. Master these fundamentals and you’ll feel confident at the net within weeks.

Why the Net Matters So Much in Padel

In tennis, you can win from the baseline. In padel, you almost can’t. The team at the net has a massive advantage: they’re closer to the opponents, they cut off angles, and they can hit down into the court. The team at the back is always defending, always trying to find a way to push the net team back and take their position.

Every point in padel revolves around this dynamic. Getting to the net and staying there is the single most important tactical objective. And the volley is how you maintain that position once you’ve earned it.

The Ready Position: Where Everything Starts

Before any volley technique matters, your ready position must be right:

• Stand 2–3 metres from the net. Not right on top of it (you’ll get lobbed) and not too far back (you’ll lose the angle advantage).
• Racket up in front of your chest. The head of your racket should be at eye level or slightly above. If your racket is down by your waist, you’ll be late on every volley.
• Knees slightly bent, weight forward. Stay on the balls of your feet, ready to move in any direction. Think ‘alert cat’, not ‘standing in a queue’.
• The split step. Every time your opponent is about to hit the ball, do a small hop and land on both feet simultaneously. This resets your balance and loads your legs for explosive movement in any direction. It’s the most important micro-movement in padel and most beginners skip it.

Forehand Volley Technique

1. Start with your racket up and in front of you, continental grip (like holding a hammer).
2. When the ball comes to your forehand side, step forward with your opposite foot (left foot for right-handers).
3. Push the racket forward to meet the ball — don’t swing. The motion is a short, punchy push, not a full swing.
4. Contact the ball in front of your body, not beside or behind you. If you’re reaching sideways, you’ve moved too late.
5. Keep the racket face slightly open (tilted upward) to give the ball a bit of lift over the net.
6. Follow through briefly toward your target, then return to the ready position immediately.

Backhand Volley Technique

The backhand volley is mechanically simpler than the forehand because your arm naturally crosses your body, giving you stability. The technique is identical except:

1. Step forward with your racket-side foot (right foot for right-handers).
2. Your elbow leads the swing slightly, with the racket head staying above your wrist.
3. Many players find the backhand volley easier and more consistent than the forehand — if that’s you, position yourself slightly to your forehand side at the net so more balls come to your backhand.

Smash & Glass Tip: The most common volley mistake is swinging. A volley should feel like you’re catching the ball and redirecting it, not hitting it. If your follow-through is longer than 30 centimetres, you’re swinging too much.

Where to Aim Your Volleys

Placement matters more than power on every volley. Here are the three targets that win the most points:

• At the feet of your opponents. If they’re at the baseline, aim low so the ball bounces at their feet. This forces them to hit up, giving you an easy next ball.
• Into the gaps. Aim between the two opponents. Indecision about who should take the ball is one of the biggest point-winners in doubles.
• Short angles. If you’re at the net and the ball is floating, angle it sharply crosscourt so it bounces twice before the opponent can reach it.

Volley Drills for Beginners

Drill 1: The Wall Volley

Stand 2 metres from a wall and volley the ball continuously against it. This builds the compact, punchy volley motion without needing a partner. Aim for 50 consecutive volleys.

Drill 2: The Partner Volley Rally

Both players at the net, volleying back and forth. Count consecutive volleys. Once you can do 30, start adding lateral movement — one player directs the volley left or right, the other must adjust.

Drill 3: The Feed and React

Player A feeds balls from the baseline at varying speeds and angles. Player B volleys from the net. Start with slow feeds and increase pace as confidence builds.

Next up: Learn how to build points from the back court with our guide to mastering groundstrokes, or add power to your overhead game with our smash technique guide.

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How to build points from the back of the court — and when to come forward

While the net is where you win points in padel, the baseline is where most beginners spend the majority of their time. And that’s fine — what matters is making the most of that position. Strong padel groundstrokes for beginners aren’t about power. They’re about consistency, depth, and knowing when to play safe versus when to push forward.

This guide covers the two core groundstrokes (forehand and backhand), the shots you’ll build from them, and the tactical decisions that turn defensive baseline play into point-winning opportunities.

The Forehand Groundstroke

Grip and Stance

Use a continental or semi-western grip — similar to what you’d use in tennis but with a slightly more relaxed hold. Padel rackets are shorter and lighter, so you don’t need to grip as tightly. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, racket in front of you.

The Swing

1. As the ball approaches, turn your shoulders so your non-racket shoulder faces the net.
2. Take the racket back to roughly hip height — not above your shoulder. Padel requires a shorter backswing than tennis.
3. Step forward with your front foot as you swing.
4. Contact the ball at waist height, slightly in front of your body.
5. Follow through forward toward your target, finishing with the racket at shoulder height.

The key difference from tennis: keep the swing compact. A big, looping tennis forehand loses control in padel because the racket face is solid (no strings to generate spin) and the court is smaller. Think controlled and compact, not big and sweeping.

The Backhand Groundstroke

Most beginners dread the backhand, but in padel, it’s often the more reliable shot. The two-handed backhand is the safest choice for beginners:

1. Both hands on the racket, non-dominant hand providing most of the power.
2. Turn your body so your racket-side shoulder faces the net.
3. Swing forward and contact the ball in front of your body.
4. Follow through over your opposite shoulder.

One-handed backhands work well in padel too, especially for sliced returns off the glass wall. But start with two hands for consistency, and explore the one-handed slice once your basic backhand is reliable.

Smash & Glass Tip: Tennis players switching to padel: resist the urge to generate topspin. The solid racket face doesn’t spin the ball the same way strings do. Focus on flat or slightly sliced groundstrokes — they’re more effective and more consistent in padel.

Five Shots You’ll Build from Groundstrokes

1. The Deep Drive

A firm, flat groundstroke aimed deep into the opponents’ court. This is your bread-and-butter shot from the baseline. The goal is to keep the ball low and deep, preventing your opponents from attacking. Aim for the back third of the court every time.

2. The Defensive Lob

When you’re under pressure at the baseline and your opponents are at the net, lift the ball high and deep over their heads. A good lob lands near the back glass and forces them to retreat. This gives you time to recover and potentially take the net yourself.

3. The Chiquita

A soft, low shot aimed at the feet of the net player. It’s essentially a dipping groundstroke that bounces just past the net and forces the opponent to volley upward. This is one of the most effective shots in padel for breaking down a net position.

4. The Cross-Court Angle

A groundstroke hit with angle toward the side wall. When executed well, the ball bounces on the ground, hits the side glass, and changes direction — making it very difficult to return. This is an attacking shot from the baseline that can create openings even when you’re not at the net.

5. The Counter-Attack Drive

When your opponents hit a weak shot from the net, a firm drive straight down the middle or at the body of one player can catch them off guard. The middle is often the most effective target because both opponents think the other will take it.

The Tactical Decision: Drive or Lob?

Every time the ball comes to you at the baseline, you have the same core decision: do I drive it or lob it? Here’s the simple framework:

• Lob when: Both opponents are at the net and in good position. The lob pushes them back and potentially lets you take the net.
• Drive when: One or both opponents are out of position, transitioning, or have left a gap. A firm drive can exploit the opening before they recover.
• Chiquita when: The net player is standing too close to the net. A soft, dipping shot at their feet is almost impossible to volley cleanly.

When in doubt, lob. It’s the safer option and keeps the rally going. Beginners lose far more points from mistimed drives than from safe lobs.

Groundstroke Drills

• The 20-ball depth drill: Partner feeds 20 balls to your forehand. Your goal: land every shot past the service line. Repeat for backhand. Track your score each session.
• Lob vs drive decision drill: Partner alternates between standing at the net and standing at the baseline. You must choose the correct shot based on their position — lob when they’re at the net, drive when they’re back.
• The chiquita challenge: Partner stands at the net. Hit 10 chiquitas, aiming to land the ball between the net and the service line. Count how many bounce before the net player can volley them.

Want to dominate the net once you get there? Read our guide to mastering the padel volley.

Looking for the right racket for groundstroke play? Round-shaped rackets with soft cores excel at controlled groundstrokes. See our best padel rackets for beginners.

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The smash, the bandeja, the vibora — when to use each one and how to hit them

Overhead shots are among the most thrilling and decisive moments in padel. When a lob goes up, the overhead is your opportunity to take control of the point. But padel overhead tips for beginners go beyond just the smash — there are three distinct overhead shots, each with a different purpose, and knowing when to use which one is what separates smart players from one-dimensional ones.

This guide covers all three overheads in order from simplest to most advanced: the flat smash, the bandeja, and the vibora. Master them in that order.

The Three Padel Overheads

The Flat Smash

When to use it

When the lob is short (lands around the service line area) and you can get underneath the ball comfortably. This is your attacking weapon — the goal is to hit the ball hard enough that it bounces once and flies over the back glass, making it unreturnable.

Technique

1. Move early — track the ball with your free hand pointed at it.
2. Get underneath the ball so it’s slightly in front of your hitting shoulder.
3. Turn sideways to the net, coiling your core.
4. Swing upward to the ball and then down through it, contacting at the highest point.
5. Snap your wrist at contact for extra speed and angle.
6. Follow through toward your opposite hip.
7. Recover immediately — the ball may come back off the glass.

Key mistakes

• Hitting flat across the court: Aim downward into the ground on the opponents’ side. The ball should bounce high and over the back glass.
• Standing too far back: The ideal contact point is in front of you, not above or behind your head.

The Bandeja

When to use it

When the lob is deep and you can’t get in an ideal position for a flat smash. The bandeja is a controlled, sliced overhead that keeps the ball low and deep without giving up your net position. You’ll use this shot more often than the flat smash in real matches.

Technique

1. Turn sideways, racket arm back and up, free hand tracking the ball.
2. Contact the ball at head height or slightly above — lower than a flat smash.
3. Slice under and across the ball with a sideways sweeping motion, like cutting a loaf of bread.
4. Aim deep into the court with a low trajectory. The ball should bounce and stay low.
5. The follow-through goes across your body, not down toward the ground.
6. Stay at the net after hitting — the bandeja is designed to maintain your position, not to win the point outright.

Smash & Glass Tip: The bandeja is arguably the most important overhead in padel because it’s the one you’ll use most. A player with a good bandeja controls the net indefinitely. Invest more practice time in the bandeja than in the flat smash.

The Vibora

When to use it

An advanced shot that combines elements of the smash and bandeja. The vibora adds heavy sidespin that makes the ball curve after bouncing off the glass, creating an unpredictable return for your opponents. Use it when you want more aggression than a bandeja but can’t hit a clean flat smash.

Technique

1. Similar starting position to the bandeja — sideways, ball tracked with free hand.
2. Contact the ball at a slightly higher point than the bandeja, roughly shoulder to head height.
3. Brush across and over the ball with a pronating wrist motion (your wrist rolls inward at contact).
4. The ball should land deep and bounce into the side glass with sidespin, curving away from the opponent.
5. This shot requires a confident wrist snap — hesitation produces a weak, floating ball.

Be honest with yourself about your level. If your bandeja isn’t consistent yet, the vibora will frustrate you. Get the bandeja reliable first, then start experimenting with the vibora in practice sessions.

Overhead Practice Drills

Drill 1: The Feed and Choose

Partner feeds a mix of short and deep lobs. You must choose the right overhead: flat smash for short lobs, bandeja for deep ones. This builds decision-making under pressure.

Drill 2: Bandeja Repetition

Partner feeds 20 deep lobs in a row. Hit every one with a bandeja, aiming to land the ball past the service line. Focus on consistency, not power. Track how many land in the target zone.

Drill 3: The Live Point from a Lob

Start every point with a lob from the baseline player. The net player hits an overhead and the point is live. This simulates the most common overhead scenario in a real match.

Master all the shots: Read our guides to mastering the volley and mastering groundstrokes for a complete technical foundation.

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