Padel Glossary: 20 Terms Every Player Should Know
From bandeja to vibora, chiquita to punto de oro - a complete glossary of padel terms with clear definitions for beginners and intermediate players.
Padel has its own language. Whether you're watching a match or playing your first one, these are the terms you'll hear constantly. Here's what they all mean.
Scoring Terms
Punto de Oro (Golden Point) - a sudden-death point played at deuce (40-40). The next point wins the game. The receiving team chooses which side to receive on. Used in most professional padel instead of advantage scoring.
Deuce - when the score reaches 40-40 in a game. In golden point format, one more point decides the game. In advantage format, a team must win two consecutive points.
Ventaja (Advantage) - in advantage scoring, the point after deuce. The team with advantage wins the game if they score again. If the other team scores, it goes back to deuce.
Tiebreak - a special game played when a set reaches 6-6. Scored numerically (1, 2, 3...) instead of 15-30-40. First to 7 points with a 2-point lead wins the set.
Super Tiebreak - replaces the third set when sets are tied 1-1. Played to 10 points instead of 7, still requiring a 2-point lead. Standard in professional padel.
Break - winning a game when the opposing team is serving. Breaking serve is significant because the serving team typically has the advantage.
Shot Terms
Bandeja - the most important padel shot. A controlled overhead slice hit from above shoulder height, used to maintain the net position while pushing opponents back. Think of it as a "tray" (bandeja means tray in Spanish) - the motion resembles carrying a tray above your head.
Vibora - an aggressive overhead shot with heavy side-spin. The ball kicks off the side wall at sharp angles, making it very difficult to return. More powerful than a bandeja but harder to control.
Chiquita - a soft, low shot aimed at the feet of net players. Typically played from the back of the court or while transitioning forward, forcing opponents to hit upward and giving you the chance to take the net position.
Remate (Smash) - a powerful overhead hit aimed at winning the point outright. Unlike the bandeja and vibora which are about placement, the smash is about raw power.
Bajada - a shot played after the ball bounces off the back glass and comes up high. You intercept it on the way down with a flat or topspin drive, usually with enough pace to be a winner.
Globo (Lob) - a high, deep shot hit over the heads of net players. The goal is to push opponents away from the net and take their position. A good lob lands deep and bounces high off the back glass.
Contra-pared (Wall Rebound) - a defensive last-resort shot where you intentionally hit the ball against your own back glass so it rebounds back over the net. Used when you're out of position or the ball is too tight to the wall for a normal return.
Por Tres (3-Meter Shot) - a powerful smash where the ball bounces on the court, hits the back glass, and flies out over the 3-meter side wall. The "tres" refers to the 3m height of the side wall. Extremely hard to defend against.
Salida de Pista (Out of Court) - when a smash sends the ball out of the court (often via a por tres), the defending team can run outside through a side opening and play the ball back in. One of the most spectacular plays in padel.
Dejada (Drop Shot) - a soft shot that barely clears the net and dies with minimal bounce. Used to catch net players off guard when they're standing too deep.
Rulo - a soft topspin overhead shot, similar to a bandeja but with heavy forward spin. The ball is brushed toward the side fence, creating unpredictable bounces off the side glass. Famously associated with player Franco Stupaczuk.
Court Terms
Lado de Drive (Drive Side) - the right side of the court for right-handed players, where you hit forehands on most balls. Generally considered the easier side to play.
Lado de Revés (Backhand Side) - the left side of the court for right-handed players, requiring more backhand shots. Stronger or more technical players typically play this side.
Reja (Mesh/Fence) - the metal mesh fencing above the glass walls and at the sides of the court. The ball can bounce off the mesh and remain in play.
Fondo (Back of Court) - the defensive zone near the back glass. Teams retreat here when under pressure, looking for an opportunity to move forward to the net.
Game Terms
Americano - a popular social tournament format where players are randomly paired each round and play with every other participant. Individual points accumulate across all rounds.
Mexicano - similar to Americano but pairings are determined dynamically based on current standings. The top-ranked player pairs with the lowest-ranked, keeping matches competitive.
Pala - the padel racket. Solid-faced with no strings, perforated with holes, typically made from carbon fiber or fiberglass with an EVA or FOAM core. Weighs 350-385 grams.
Understanding these terms will make you feel at home on any padel court. The sport borrows some vocabulary from tennis but has plenty of its own - and knowing the difference between a bandeja and a vibora is the first step to actually executing them.
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