Remate is the Spanish word for a smash. In padel it is the attacking overhead used to finish a point, usually off a short lob near the net. Variations include the flat smash, the rulo (topspin smash) and smashes aimed to go out of the court: por tres and por cuatro.
When to smash and when not to
Smash short, sitting lobs. On deep lobs near the back glass, a bandeja or víbora is usually safer, because a smash from deep bounces up off the back glass and comes back.
How to hit a remate
- Turn side-on and move under the ball early.
- Point at the ball with your free hand.
- Contact high and in front, snapping the wrist through.
- Pick a target: the side fence for a por tres, the feet, or the gap.
Related: globo · all padel terms