World Padel Tour 101: Improve your padel vocabulary!

Are you only just getting into padel? Have you just started watching our live coverage of World Padel Tour events? In need to sharpen your padel vocabulary?

More likely than not, as is the case with any sport, you will probably hear some phrases and terms you have not heard of.

This article will take you through some of the most used padel lingo ahead of the 2022 World Padel Tour season, which is set to be the most international year ever with 24 events in 13 countries!

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Bandeja

One of the most-used shots in padel, the bandeja is a crucial part of padel vocabulary. In essence, it is an overhand shot hit with spin rather than power.

The bandeja, which is always taken out of the air without letting the ball bounce, is often used to slow a rally down or to bring down a lob without smashing. Defensively oriented players, or players who are not great hard-hitters, will often rely on having a good bandeja.

While often seen as a safe option to tread water in a rally, well-placed bandejas can prove to be winners.

Víbora

Next is the víbora, which is similar to the bandeja. The main difference is the víbora is hit with a lot more power and spin than the bandeja.

A víbora is typically hit diagonally down. It is meant to speed up a rally and take away initiative from the opponent, while the backspin on the ball prevents it from bouncing up and away from the wall.

Unlike a smash, a víbora is not perse an attempt to a winner, although it very much can be.

READ: World Padel Tour has its official 2022 calendar

Bajada

Another bit of lingo that is used often is the bajada. In the most simple terms, it is when a ball takes a high bounce off the wall and is brought down with an overhand hit.

While usually the case, a bajada does not necessarily have to be hit with venom. Any overhand hit that has the ball bouncing off the wall first falls under the umbrella of the bajada, which literally translates to 'the bringing down' from Spanish.

Chiquita

One of the more delicate shots in padel and one of the harder ones to get right is the chiquita.

A chiquita is similar to a drop shot, in the sense that you are putting the ball in the frontcourt and close to the net. However, a chiquita is also hit from the frontcourt. It is a very delicate shot, basically lifting the ball over the net very softly from close range and making it drop down right behind it.

The purpose of the chiquita, as it will bounce right in front of the net, is to leave the opponent in an awkward position. As the ball drops down, it cannot be volleyed back with power.

Salida

Salida translates to 'exit', and that is essentially what it is. A player running off the court to save a ball that has bounced off the wall and out of the 20 by 10 court is a salida.

To be successful in a salida, you need to be excellent at anticipating a smash and then have the footwork to actually return the ball.

The likes of Alejandro Galán, Martín Di Nenno and Agustín Tapia are famous for their salidas in the men's Circuit, with players like Tamara Icardo, Gemma Triay and Ariana Sánchez doing so in the women's Circuit.

Cadete

A more niche term but one worth knowing within padel vocabulary is cadete. Most often, it is used by players who have more flair in their game like Paquito Navarro.

A cadete is a behind-the-back shot. This means a shot is hit with the dominant hand going behind the back, rather than hitting a simple backhand.

Cadetes are mostly used when backed in the corner and having no space to hit a backhand, although it is not by any means a practical shot.