Beginner’s Guide to Padel Tennis Terminology: From Basic to Advanced

Introduction

Padel tennis is a fun and challenging sport that takes strategic thinking, physical skill, and precision. If you’re new to the game, you may not be familiar with all of the terminology used by professional padel players. So, we’ve put together a beginner’s guide to padel tennis terminology, from basic to advanced. Whether you’re looking to improve your game or just want to better understand the sport, this guide will help you speak the language of padel tennis.

Basic Padel Tennis Terminology

Before we get into the more advanced terminology, let’s start with the basics.

The Court:

The court is rectangular in shape and is divided into two halves with a net placed in the middle. The court is 10 meters wide and 20 meters long.

The Serve:

The serve is the first shot of the game, and it is made from the right side of the court. The serve must be hit underhand and must land in the opponent’s service box.

The Volley:

A volley is a shot that is hit in the air before it bounces on the ground. It is used when the ball is hit towards the player, and there is no time to take a full swing.

The Smash:

The smash is a powerful overhead shot that is hit when the ball is high in the air. It is used to hit the ball past the opponents and score a point.

Intermediate Padel Tennis Terminology

As you become more familiar with the game, you’ll start to hear and use more intermediate terminology.

Deuce:

When the score is tied at 40-40, it is called deuce. The next point won by either player is called advantage. If the player who has advantage wins the next point, they win the game. If they lose the next point, the score returns to deuce.

The Lob:

A lob is a shot that is hit high in the air to go over the opponent’s head. It is used to gain an advantage when the opponent is at the net.

The Drop Shot:

A drop shot is a shot that is hit softly and lands close to the net, just out of the reach of the opponent. It is used to catch the opponent off guard and win the point.

Advanced Padel Tennis Terminology

Finally, as you become an expert in the sport, you’ll start to use and hear advanced terminology.

The Banana Shot:

The banana shot is a shot that is hit with a lot of spin, causing the ball to curve. It is used to get the ball past the opponent and make it difficult for them to return.

The Bandeja:

The bandeja is a powerful overhead shot that is hit with a lot of topspin. It is used to push the opponent back and set up for a smash.

The Vibora:

The vibora is a shot that is hit with a lot of spin, causing the ball to curve to the side. It is used to get the ball past the opponent and make it difficult for them to return.

Conclusion

Padel tennis is a challenging and exciting sport, but it can be confusing if you’re not familiar with the terminology. With this beginner’s guide to padel tennis terminology, you’ll be able to understand and speak the language of the sport. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, knowing the terminology will help you better understand the game and improve your skills. So, get out there and start playing!