Academy · Glossary
Padel glossary
45 padel terms defined — from shots and formats to organisations and player ratings. From bandeja to vibora, the whole vocabulary in one place.
A3 TERMS
AceA serve that wins the point without the returner making contact with the ball.
AmericanoA social padel format where players rotate partners each game, so everyone plays with and against everyone else. Points are individual.
Approach shotA shot played as you move forward toward the net to take an attacking position.
B4 TERMS
BajadaA controlled drop shot or descending ball played after a lob, typically angled toward the glass to force a difficult return.
BandejaA signature padel overhead shot played with a pan-flat grip, used to keep the ball in play and maintain net position rather than attempting an outright winner.
Bounce and glassWhen a ball bounces off the floor and then the back or side glass before being returned — a legal and strategic part of padel.
Box leagueA competitive league format where players or pairs in a small group (box) all play each other, with winners promoted and losers relegated.
C4 TERMS
Check-inOn TrustPadel, a check-in is when a player confirms they have visited a club, contributing to the club's community vibe score.
ChiquitaA low, fast shot hit cross-court at the feet of the opposing net player, intended to prevent them from volleying aggressively.
Closing the netMoving together as a pair toward the net to take an attacking position after a good lob or defensive shot by opponents.
CourtA padel court is 20m x 10m, enclosed by glass walls and metal fencing. It is smaller than a tennis court and the walls are part of play.
D2 TERMS
Double faultTwo consecutive failed serve attempts, resulting in the point being awarded to the receiving pair.
DriveA flat, powerful groundstroke aimed to pass through or at the feet of the opposing net players.
E1 TERM
Enclosure / FenceThe metal mesh fencing that surrounds the upper portions of the padel court walls. The ball can be played off the fence.
F3 TERMS
FaultA serve that does not land in the correct service box, hits the net, or touches the side/back glass before landing.
FIPFederation Internationale de Padel — the world governing body for padel, responsible for international rules and the World Padel Tour qualification pathway.
FootfaultA serve where the server's foot crosses the service line or centre mark before the ball is struck.
G3 TERMS
Glass wallsThe transparent panels forming the back and lower side walls of a padel court. Balls can be played off the glass as part of normal rallies.
Golden pointAt deuce (40-40), some competitive formats use a sudden-death golden point instead of advantage scoring to speed up play.
Governing bodyAn organisation that regulates padel in a specific territory — for example the LTA in Great Britain, the FIP globally, or the WPT for professional tour events.
H1 TERM
Head-to-headThe historical record of results between two players or pairs in competitive matches.
K1 TERM
KillAn aggressive smash designed to end the point outright, usually directed toward the back glass or out of reach of the opponents.
L3 TERMS
Level 1–7The standard player rating scale used in the UK (and similar systems globally). Level 1 is the highest competitive standard; Level 7 is an absolute beginner.
LobA high, arcing shot over the opposing net players designed to push them back toward the glass and reverse the attacking advantage.
LTALawn Tennis Association — the national governing body for padel and tennis in Great Britain, responsible for rating, competition, and development.
M2 TERMS
MexicanoA social round-robin format where, after the first round, players are paired with someone of a similar score, creating competitive balance as the session progresses.
Mixed doublesA match format where each pair consists of one male and one female player.
N1 TERM
Net positionStanding close to the net to maximise attacking options — the dominant position in padel, contrasted with the defensive back position.
P5 TERMS
PadelA racket sport typically played in doubles on an enclosed glass-and-mesh court. It combines elements of tennis and squash and is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.
Padel groupA multi-venue club brand or operator that runs several padel facilities under the same name or company.
PalaThe Spanish term for a padel racket. Padel rackets are solid (no strings) and perforated, typically made from carbon fibre or fibreglass.
Par 3 / Par 4Informal terms used in some club ladder systems to describe match lengths or formats, not related to golf.
PassA shot played past or through the net players to win a point outright when they are in an advanced position.
R3 TERMS
RallyThe sequence of shots exchanged between both pairs after the serve, ending when one side fails to return the ball legally.
RatingA numerical or banded classification of a player's skill level. In the UK, the LTA uses a Level 1–7 scale; internationally, WPT and FIP maintain their own rankings.
RFQRequest for Quote — on TrustPadel, businesses and venues can submit RFQs to equipment and service providers.
S3 TERMS
ServeThe underarm shot used to start each point. In padel, the ball must be bounced before being struck and must land in the diagonally opposite service box.
SmashA powerful overhead shot hit downward, typically used to end a rally when the opponents have lobbed. In padel, smashes are often directed toward the back glass rather than for outright winners.
SpinRotation applied to the ball using the racket face to alter its flight and bounce — topspin, slice, and sidespin are all used in padel.
T3 TERMS
Tie-breakA game played to seven points (or ten in a match tie-break) to decide a set when the score reaches 6-6.
Tray shotSee Bandeja — named for the tray-like flat angle of the racket face during the shot.
TrolleyInformal term for a ball cart or hopper used to hold balls courtside during practice or drills.
V2 TERMS
ViboraAn advanced spinning smash where the racket is brought across the body to impart heavy sidespin. The ball kicks sharply off the glass, making it very difficult to return.
VolleyA shot struck before the ball bounces, typically played at the net. Net volleys are a central part of attacking padel play.
W1 TERM
WPTWorld Padel Tour — the top professional padel circuit, featuring the highest-ranked players competing at international tournaments.