Padel Terms Every Beginner Should Master: A Complete Glossary

If you’re new to padel, you might feel overwhelmed by the jargon thrown around by more experienced players. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this padel glossary, we’ll go over some of the most important terms you need to know to start playing the game like a pro.

Forehand and Backhand

The two most basic strokes in padel are the forehand and the backhand. The forehand is when you hit the ball with your dominant hand across your body, while the backhand is when you hit with your backhand side. These strokes form the backbone of your game, so it’s essential to master them early on.

Volley

A volley is when you hit the ball while it’s still in the air, before it bounces on the ground. Volleying is a great way to take control of the point and put pressure on your opponents.

Smash

The smash is a powerful overhead shot that you can use to finish points. To execute a smash, you need to jump and hit the ball with maximum force, aiming for the opponent’s weak spots.

Serve

The serve is the shot that starts each point. In padel, you must serve underhand, and the ball must bounce before it reaches the opponent’s side. Be sure to practice your serves, as they can make or break your game.

Let

If your serve hits the net and still goes into the service box, your opponent can call a let. That means the point is replayed, and you get another shot at serving.

Let Serve

A let serve is when you hit the ball and it touches the net on the way to the opposite court, but still lands in. The point is replayed, and you get another try at serving.

Fault

If you make a mistake during a serve, you’ll receive a fault. The most common faults are serving out of bounds or not hitting the ball over the net.

Foot Fault

A foot fault happens when you step on the line while serving. It might seem like a minor mistake, but it can lead to a fault and cost you the point.

Deuce

Deuce is a tie between two players or teams when the score is 40-40. In deuce, players must win by two points to win the game.

Advantage

When a player wins a point after deuce, they receive the advantage. If they win the next point as well, they win the game. If they lose the next point, the game goes back to deuce.

Match Point

Match point is the point that decides the winner of the game. It’s a tense moment, and every player aims to win it.

Conclusion

With this padel glossary, you’re well on your way to becoming a padel expert. Of course, there are many more terms you’ll need to learn along the way, but these are the basics you should master early on. Keep practicing, and you’ll be ruling the court in no time!