Bandeja (Spanish for “tray”) is a defensive overhead in padel. You hit it at roughly head height with slice, sending the ball deep and low so it barely comes off the back glass. Its job is not to win the point but to keep you at the net after your opponents lob you.
Why the bandeja matters
In padel the team at the net usually wins the point. When a lob goes over your head, a full smash is risky and often sits up off the glass. The bandeja keeps control, buys time and lets you hold the net.
How to hit a bandeja
- Turn side-on as soon as you see the lob, non-hitting arm pointing at the ball.
- Use a continental grip, racket face slightly open, like carrying a tray.
- Contact the ball in front of you, around head height, not fully stretched.
- Cut across and under the ball for slice, then finish towards the target.
- Aim deep and towards the side wall or the opponent's backhand corner.
Common mistakes
- Hitting it too hard, so it bounces high off the back glass and gives an easy return.
- Letting the ball drop too low behind you.
- Facing the net instead of turning side-on.
Bandeja vs víbora vs smash
The bandeja is control. The víbora is its aggressive cousin with more sidespin. The remate (smash) is the finisher.
Related: globo (lob) · chiquita · all padel terms