The bandeja (Spanish for “tray”) is a controlled overhead hit with slice spin that lets you stay at the net when a lob pushes you back. Unlike the smash, it is about control and placement, not power — you brush under the ball with a continental grip and a high-to-low slice so it lands deep and stays low. Master it and you can keep attacking even on defensive balls.
What is the bandeja?
The bandeja is your primary weapon when the ball is too high to volley but you do not have time or positioning for a full smash. The goal is not to win the point outright — it is to maintain your net position while keeping pressure on your opponents. Watch any professional match and you will see the bandeja used constantly; it is the shot that allows net players to stay aggressive even when forced to hit defensive overheads.
When should you use the bandeja?
Use the bandeja whenever a lob pushes you back but is not deep enough to force a full retreat. Specifically:
- Lobs that push you back: when opponents lob over your head but not deep enough to make you turn and run
- Balls at shoulder height: too high for a comfortable volley, not high enough for a smash
- When off-balance: the bandeja needs less precise positioning than a smash
- To hold the net: a smash often pulls you back, while the bandeja lets you recover forward
What grip does the bandeja need?
The bandeja requires a continental grip — the same grip you would use for a tennis serve, explained in full in our padel grip guide. With an eastern or semi-western grip you cannot generate the slice spin that makes the shot effective. To find it, hold the racket like you are shaking hands with it, with the base knuckle of your index finger on the second bevel and the “V” of your thumb and index finger on top of the handle.
If the continental grip feels uncomfortable at first, practice shadow swings without a ball. It typically takes 2–3 weeks of consistent practice before it feels natural.
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 to help tracking and balance. Keep your feet moving — do not plant and wait.
2. The backswing
Take the racket back with your elbow high, roughly at ear level, with the racket head above your hand. Think of a shorter, more compact serve motion. Do not wind up too much — the bandeja is about control, not power.
3. Contact point
Hit the ball in front of your body (about 30–45 degrees ahead of your shoulder), at full arm extension, with an open racket face so the strings angle slightly upward to create slice.
Hitting the ball beside or behind your head makes it impossible to control direction and usually floats the ball high. Always make contact in front.
4. The swing path
Swing from high to low with a slicing motion, brushing underneath the ball to create backspin. The follow-through goes across your body toward your opposite hip. Think “chop down” rather than “swing through.”
5. Recovery
After contact, immediately move toward the net. The bandeja buys you time to get back into an attacking position — do not admire your shot, move forward.
Where should you aim the bandeja?
Aim deep and into awkward spots rather than for winners:
- 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 are in a strong position and can follow up
The worst place to hit a bandeja is a medium-depth ball to the corners — that 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 so the ball comes back low. Do sets of 20–30 shots.
Feed and hit (with a partner)
Have your partner feed lobs from the baseline. Practice bandejas crosscourt and down the line, focusing 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. The bandeja is only half of holding the net — pair it with a solid padel volley technique so you can punish the weak balls it forces.
Bandeja vs víbora
Once you have grooved the bandeja you can progress to the víbora — a more aggressive overhead that adds sidespin. The víbora uses more wrist at contact, curves sideways after the bounce, and is hit with more pace and less margin. Master the bandeja first; it is the foundation that makes the víbora possible. If you want to see exactly where your contact point and swing path are breaking down, analyze your own padel technique with a short video before your next session.
Analyze your swing with Padel Coach
Record a short clip of your technique and get instant AI-powered feedback with specific drills to improve.
Download on iPhoneFrequently asked questions
What is the bandeja in padel?
The bandeja is a controlled overhead shot hit with slice spin. It is your primary option when a lob is too high to volley but you do not have time or position for a full smash. The goal is to keep your net position rather than win the point outright.
What grip do you use for a bandeja?
Use the continental grip — hold the racket like you are shaking hands with it, with the V between thumb and index finger on top of the handle. This grip is what lets you brush under the ball and create slice.
Where should the contact point be on a bandeja?
Make contact in front of your body, about 30–45 degrees ahead of your hitting shoulder, at near-full arm extension, with an open racket face. Hitting beside or behind your head is the most common reason players lose control.