Master the Bandeja: The Essential Guide for Intermediate Players

What is the Bandeja?

The bandeja (Spanish for "tray") is a controlled overhead shot hit with slice spin. It's your primary weapon when the ball is too high to volley but you don't have time or positioning for a full smash. The goal isn't to win the point outright—it's to maintain your net position while keeping pressure on your opponents.

Watch any professional padel match and you'll see the bandeja used constantly. It's the shot that allows net players to stay aggressive even when forced to hit defensive overheads.

When to Use the Bandeja

The bandeja is your go-to shot in these situations:

• Lobs that push you back: When opponents lob over your head but not deep enough to force a full retreat
• Balls at shoulder height: Too high for a comfortable volley, not high enough for a smash
• When off-balance: The bandeja requires less precise positioning than a smash
• To maintain net position: A smash often pulls you back; the bandeja lets you recover forward

The Grip: Continental is Key

The bandeja absolutely requires a continental grip—the same grip you'd use for a serve in tennis. If you're using an eastern or semi-western grip, you won't be able to generate the slice spin that makes this shot effective.

To find the continental grip: hold your racket like you're shaking hands with it, with the base knuckle of your index finger on the second bevel of the handle. The "V" formed by your thumb and index finger should be on top of the handle.

Step-by-Step Technique

1. Preparation

As soon as you recognize the lob, turn your shoulders sideways to the net. Your non-racket arm should point up toward the ball—this helps with tracking and balance. Keep your feet moving; don't plant and wait.

2. The Backswing

Take the racket back with your elbow high, roughly at ear level. The racket head should be above your hand. Think of it as a shorter, more compact version of a serve motion. Don't wind up too much—the bandeja is about control, not power.

3. Contact Point

This is where most players struggle. Hit the ball:

• In front of your body: About 30-45 degrees ahead of your shoulder
• At full arm extension: Reach up and slightly forward
• With an open racket face: The strings should angle slightly upward to create slice

4. The Swing Path

Swing from high to low with a slicing motion. Your racket should brush underneath the ball, creating backspin. The follow-through goes across your body toward your opposite hip. Think "chop down" rather than "swing through."

5. Recovery

After contact, immediately recover toward the net. The bandeja's defensive nature means you should use it to buy time to get back into an attacking position. Don't admire your shot—move forward.

Where to Aim

The bandeja isn't about hitting winners. Your targets should be:

• Deep to the back glass: Make opponents play the ball after it bounces off the glass
• Into the body: Jamming opponents limits their options
• Down the middle: Creates confusion between opponents
• Short angles: Only when you're in a strong position and can follow up

The worst place to hit a bandeja is a medium-depth shot to the corners—this gives opponents an easy attacking ball.

Practice Drills

Wall Drill (Solo)

Stand 3-4 meters from a wall. Throw the ball up and hit bandejas against the wall, focusing on the slice motion. The ball should hit the wall and come back low. Do sets of 20-30 shots.

Feed and Hit (With Partner)

Have your partner feed lobs from the baseline. Practice hitting bandejas crosscourt and down the line. Focus on consistency before power—aim for 10 in a row to the same target.

Game Situation Drill

Play points where the baseline player can only lob, and the net player can only hit bandejas. This forces you to develop touch and placement under pressure.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Ball goes too high

You're probably hitting with a flat or closed racket face. Open the face more and emphasize the downward swing path.

No control over direction

Check your contact point. If you're hitting beside your body, you can't control where the ball goes. Focus on making contact in front.

Ball has no spin

You're swinging through the ball instead of under it. Exaggerate the slicing motion—think about brushing the bottom of the ball.

Shot lacks depth

You might be decelerating before contact. Commit to the swing and follow through completely across your body.

The Bandeja vs. The Víbora

Once you've mastered the bandeja, you can progress to the víbora—a more aggressive overhead that adds sidespin. The key differences:

• The víbora has more wrist action at contact
• It curves sideways after bouncing
• It's hit with more pace and less margin

Master the bandeja first. It's the foundation that makes the víbora possible.