Rankings
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Most Important Padel Shots Ranking: The 7 Shots That Will Improve Your Game
Not all padel shots are equal. This ranking identifies the seven most important shots in padel — from the basics you must master first to the advanced techniques that change the outcome of points — and tells you exactly how to prioritise your practice.
Padel has more shots than most beginners realise. Some are fundamental — without them you cannot play. Others are advanced weapons that completely change how you construct points. Knowing which to learn first and how each one raises your game is the fastest path to real improvement.
This ranking orders padel shots by impact: how much mastering each one improves your overall game, starting from the beginning.
Ranking the 7 Most Important Padel Shots
#1 — The Serve
Why it is number one: Every single point starts here. A consistent, legal serve that lands in the correct box is the minimum requirement to begin playing. Miss your serves and you lose points before the rally starts.
The padel serve is underhand (contact must be at or below waist height) with a bounce before striking. Unlike tennis, the serve in padel is not a weapon — it is a starting mechanism. The goal is consistency and placement, not power.
What to work on: Landing the ball in the correct service box reliably. Then add direction — serving to the backhand corner or into the body. Power is irrelevant at this stage.
#2 — The Forehand Groundstroke
Why it matters: The forehand is your primary weapon from the back of the court. In padel, you often play balls that come off the back wall and give you time to set up — this is your chance to create pace and direction.
The padel forehand is similar to a tennis forehand but with more emphasis on wall awareness and a more compact swing (the court is smaller). Good rotation of the hips and shoulders is the foundation of a consistent forehand.
What to work on: Clean contact in the centre of the face, consistent direction (crosscourt first), and hitting balls that come off the back wall after a bounce.
#3 — The Volley
Why it matters: In padel, the net position is where points are won. Both players on the attacking team play at the net whenever possible. The volley — striking the ball before it bounces — is the shot that defines net play.
Padel volleys are punch shots, not full swings. Keep the backswing compact, stay on your toes, and direct the ball with your wrist and forearm rather than your shoulder. The key is moving toward the ball, not waiting for it.
What to work on: Consistent flat volleys crosscourt. Then add direction — angling the ball toward the side glass. Then speed and deception.
#4 — The Lob
Why it matters: The lob is the weapon that neutralises the net position. When opponents are at the net pressing forward and you are under pressure, a well-executed lob forces them to retreat and resets the point. Without a reliable lob, every net pair can dominate you from the front.
Hit with an open racket face, brushing the ball upward with a low-to-high swing. Aim for the ball to peak well above your opponents and land between the service line and the back wall.
What to work on: Consistent height and depth. The lob that is too low gets smashed; the lob that is too long gives opponents an easy setup from the wall. Land it in the back third of the court.
#5 — The Backhand Groundstroke
Why it is fifth, not second: In padel, the backhand is important but less dominant than in tennis because the walls change the geometry of the game. Many balls that would be backhands in tennis are played as forehand slices in padel after a wall rebound. That said, a reliable backhand down the line and crosscourt is essential at any level above beginner.
Most padel players use a two-handed backhand for more stability, though the one-handed version is viable. The mechanics are similar to tennis — shoulder rotation, early contact, follow through.
What to work on: Consistency crosscourt first, then down the line. Learn to handle balls that come at you directly after bouncing off the back glass.
#6 — The Bandeja
Why it matters: The bandeja is the shot that lets you attack a lob without abandoning the net position. It is an overhead shot played with a slicing action that keeps the ball low after the bounce, making it hard for opponents to lob back. Without a bandeja, every lob forces you to retreat to the back of the court.
The bandeja is played with a continental grip, contact slightly in front of the body, and a brushing motion that imparts slice. The ball should travel low and fast, aimed at the opponent’s feet or deep into a corner.
What to work on: Making clean contact overhead without losing your position at the net. Focus on flat, controlled shots before adding pace.
#7 — The Smash
Why it is seventh: The smash wins points spectacularly when executed correctly, but in padel it is more complex than in tennis. Many beginners ignore the walls and smash the ball into the back glass accidentally. The timing required to track and hit a falling ball at pace is non-trivial.
In padel, the smash can be played into the back wall intentionally (a “por tres” or “por cuatro” shot that rebounds to a position opponents cannot reach) — but that requires advanced court reading. Start with basic flat smashes that land deep in the court.
What to work on: Tracking the ball early, positioning under it, and making consistent contact. Power comes second — placement and keeping it in the court comes first.
How to Prioritise Your Practice
| Skill Level | Focus |
|---|---|
| Complete beginner | Shots #1, #2, #3 (serve, forehand, volley) |
| Basic club player | Add #4 and #5 (lob, backhand) |
| Developing intermediate | Add #6 (bandeja), refine #1–#5 |
| Intermediate | Add #7 (smash), develop situational judgement on all shots |
The fastest improvement comes not from learning new shots but from making the shots you already have more reliable. A consistent lob beats an inconsistent bandeja every time. A reliable forehand crosscourt beats a flashy vibora that lands out two in three attempts.
Master the foundations. The advanced shots become available once the basics are automatic.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important shot to learn first in padel?
The serve is the shot you must learn first — every point starts with it. A consistent, legal serve that lands in the correct box gives you the foundation to start building points. After the serve, focus on the forehand groundstroke and the volley.
How long does it take to learn the basic padel shots?
With regular practice (two sessions per week), most beginners can execute the five fundamental shots (serve, forehand, backhand, volley, lob) at a basic functional level within two to three months. Reliability and situational judgement take much longer.
Is the smash hard to learn in padel?
The basic smash is not technically complex, but timing it correctly is challenging for beginners. The ball drops faster than most new players expect and reading the trajectory takes repetition. It is one of the shots that improves most with dedicated practice.
Do I need to learn every shot before I start playing matches?
No. You can play enjoyable matches with just four shots: serve, forehand, backhand, and a basic volley. Add the lob when you start getting smashed too often. Add the bandeja and smash as your game develops.
What is the hardest padel shot to master?
The vibora (a spinning smash played at an angle from the back of the court) is widely considered the hardest shot to master. It requires precise timing, specific wrist mechanics, and a good read of ball trajectory. It is an advanced shot — do not worry about it until the basics are solid.
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