Why are padel terms Spanish?

Padel comes from the Spanish-speaking world, and the shot names are the international standard — they are used untranslated in every language. Say bandeja and you will be understood on any court in the world.

What is the difference between a bandeja and a víbora?

In a still image they look almost identical. The difference is contact point and intention: the bandeja is sliced and controlled and holds your net position, while the víbora carries more side spin, is struck further in front and puts opponents under pressure.

What do por 3 and por 4 mean?

They are the established short names for smashes that leave the court after bouncing in the opponents’ court: por 3 over the side wall, por 4 over the back wall. Over the back wall the point ends immediately; over the side wall the ball may be chased and returned, provided the venue has the run-off space for it.

Do you need to know these terms to play padel?

No — you can play without them. But coaches, videos and fellow players use them all the time, and knowing the words makes everything quicker to follow.

Padel terms explained: bandeja, víbora, chiquita & more

Overhead shots

Bandeja ban-DEH-ha

Literally “tray”. A controlled, sliced overhead at about shoulder height. The bandeja is not an attacking shot — it is the tool that lets you stay at the net after a lob instead of giving up your position.

Víbora BEE-bo-ra

The “viper” — the bandeja’s aggressive relative: more side spin, contact point further in front, and the ball kicks sideways off the bounce. The bandeja holds the position, the víbora applies pressure.

Remate reh-MAH-teh

The smash. Less often the first choice than in tennis, because the walls return many hard balls — whether it pays off depends on position and the ball you get.

Por 3 and por 4 por tres / por cuatro

The established short names for a smash that, after bouncing in the opponents’ court, flies out over the side wall (por 3) or the back wall (por 4) — either way a legitimate shot. Over the back wall the point is over at once; over the side wall your opponents may run out and play it back, provided the venue has the run-off space for it.

Walls and defence

Salida de pared sa-LEE-da deh pa-RED

“Exit from the wall”. Not a single shot but the skill of playing a ball that comes back off the glass after bouncing. The fundamental that separates padel from tennis — master it and the wall stops being scary.

Contrapared kon-tra-pa-RED

Played deliberately against your own glass so the ball travels over the net from there — the metal fence does not count as a wall here, and hitting it loses you the point. An emergency solution when nothing else is left — not a standard shot.

Bajada ba-HA-da

“The one coming down”: the attacking shot on a ball that rebounds off the back wall and drops again. The moment defence turns back into initiative.

Building the point

High Globo, low ChiquitaThe Globo goes high over the net player. The Chiquita drops low towards their feet. Simplified side view: these paths explain the idea, not exact flight heights.

Globo GLOH-bo

The lob — and in padel far more than a last resort: the most important tool for winning the net back when your opponents are up there.

Chiquita chi-KEE-ta

“The little one”: soft, flat and low at the net players’ feet. The goal is not a winner but a ball popped up by your opponents that frees the net for you.

Dejada deh-HA-da

The drop shot just behind the net. Works best when your opponents are deep — and gives itself away quickly if you play it too often.

Volea bo-LEH-a

The volley — taking the ball out of the air before it bounces, usually at the net. That is where padel points are decided. The one exception is the return of serve: it has to bounce first.

Scoring and formats

Golden point

At 40-40 a single point decides, instead of advantage back and forth. Whether it is played is set by the competition beforehand — since 2026 the FIP rules list three scoring methods side by side: advantage, star point and golden point. None of them is the default.

Star point

The third scoring method, new in 2026: the first two deuces are played with advantage as usual, at the third a single point decides.

Americano

The everyone-versus-everyone format: across the rounds you partner everyone and face everyone. Americano in detail — works with as few as four players.

Mexicano

Pairings follow the standings: after every round the courts are re-seeded by performance. Mexicano in detail — worthwhile from eight players.

King of the Court

Winners climb towards the king’s court, losers drop. King of the Court in detail.

A schedule in one minute Enter names, pick a format, done. Free, no account, works without reception. To the tournament planner →

Frequently asked

Why are padel terms Spanish?: Padel comes from the Spanish-speaking world, and the shot names are the international standard — they are used untranslated in every language. Say bandeja and you will be understood on any court in the world.
What is the difference between a bandeja and a víbora?: In a still image they look almost identical. The difference is contact point and intention: the bandeja is sliced and controlled and holds your net position, while the víbora carries more side spin, is struck further in front and puts opponents under pressure.
What do por 3 and por 4 mean?: They are the established short names for smashes that leave the court after bouncing in the opponents’ court: por 3 over the side wall, por 4 over the back wall. Over the back wall the point ends immediately; over the side wall the ball may be chased and returned, provided the venue has the run-off space for it.
Do you need to know these terms to play padel?: No — you can play without them. But coaches, videos and fellow players use them all the time, and knowing the words makes everything quicker to follow.