Colpi del padel: Colpi da fondo

Forehand drive

The basic forehand from the back of the court, played after the bounce or off the glass, with a compact swing and control rather than power.

Flat forehand

A forehand with little spin and a direct path, for pace through the middle of the court.

Topspin forehand

A forehand with forward spin that makes the ball dip after crossing the net and kick forward after the bounce.

Slice forehand

A forehand with backspin for a low, skidding bounce and more control, the natural forehand for many padel players.

Running forehand

A forehand played on the move while reaching wide. Keep it simple: cross-court, with margin.

Open-stance forehand

A forehand played without stepping across, when there is no time to turn fully. The shoulders still turn even if the feet do not.

Inside-out forehand

Run round a ball on your backhand side and play a forehand cross-court, away from the player opposite.

Inside-in forehand

Run round a ball on your backhand side and hit the forehand down the line, straight at the player opposite.

Short-angle forehand

A sharp diagonal forehand that lands near the service line and runs towards the side glass, pulling the opponent wide.

Passing shot

A drive past a net player, down the line or cross-court, played when the opponents are out of position.

Backhand drive

The backhand from the back of the court, usually one-handed with a continental grip, played with slice to keep the ball low.

Slice backhand

The usual padel backhand: hit with backspin to keep the ball low and controlled.

Flat backhand

A direct backhand with little spin, for pace when the opponents are back.

Topspin backhand

A backhand with forward spin so it dips. It is less common in padel, where most backhands are sliced.

Two-handed backhand

A backhand played with both hands on the grip, used by some players for power and stability at the cost of reach.

Running backhand

A backhand played on the move. Aim high and safe, usually a lob or a cross-court ball.

Open-stance backhand

A backhand from a more open stance when there is no time to turn fully, relying on the shoulder turn.

Short-angle backhand

A sharp diagonal backhand that lands short and runs towards the side, pulling the opponent wide.

Squash shot

An emergency ball scooped low with an open face when it has nearly got past you, often off the back glass.

Defensive block

A short, compact stroke that uses the pace of a hard ball instead of adding to it. You hold the racket firm, take almost no backswing and steer the ball back deep.

The drive

A firm, fairly flat groundstroke that travels low and direct, used to push the other pair back or force a weak volley. In Spanish, drive also means the forehand and the player on the right side of the court.

Stretch return

A defensive shot played at full reach, when the ball is nearly past you. The aim is not to win the point, only to get the ball back high and safe.

Body shot

A firm ball aimed straight at an opponent, usually the net player, so they have no room to swing. It is a normal tactic in padel when played at the body, never at the head.