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They lobbed you deep. Smash it or play the bandeja?
Deep ball, high hands: bandeja. The shot exists to keep you at the net, not to win the point.
You are at the net. They lob you and it is going to land a metre or so behind the service line, over your shoulder. What do you play?
Deep ball, high hands: bandeja. The shot exists to keep you at the net, not to win the point.
Why
The lob has done its job the moment you step backwards. The bandeja is the answer to that: a shoulder-height, sliced overhead hit out in front of you, played across the court and deep, so the ball stays low off their glass and they cannot attack it. You give up the chance to end the point and you keep the position that wins you the next four.
What this means at your level
Beginner
Turn side-on early and walk back, do not run back facing forward. Racket up, contact in front of your head, finish low. If you are reaching behind you, you left too late.
Intermediate
Aim the bandeja cross-court and deep at their side glass. That keeps the ball away from the middle, stops the down-the-line counter, and buys you the extra second to reset at the net.
Advanced
Vary it. Bandeja cross to hold, vibora when you can take it a step earlier and put slice on it, and only step into the smash when the lob lands in front of the service line and your weight is already moving forward.
Common questions
You are at the net. They lob you and it is going to land a metre or so behind the service line, over your shoulder. What do you play?
Bandeja, and hold your net position. Deep ball, high hands: bandeja. The shot exists to keep you at the net, not to win the point. The lob has done its job the moment you step backwards. The bandeja is the answer to that: a shoulder-height, sliced overhead hit out in front of you, played across the court and deep, so the ball stays low off their glass and they cannot attack it. You give up the chance to end the point and you keep the position that wins you the next four.
Why not let it bounce and lob back?
It plays, but you have just handed them the net. Every ball you let bounce behind the service line is a metre of court you gave away.
What should a beginner do here?
Turn side-on early and walk back, do not run back facing forward. Racket up, contact in front of your head, finish low. If you are reaching behind you, you left too late.
How does this change for an advanced player?
Vary it. Bandeja cross to hold, vibora when you can take it a step earlier and put slice on it, and only step into the smash when the lob lands in front of the service line and your weight is already moving forward.
What do the rules say?
The bandeja is the shot that separates padel from tennis. It is deliberately not a winner. It is a holding shot, and the top of the game plays hundreds of them a match.
Puzzles like this one
The ball is at your feet at the net. What now?
A ball below the net cannot be attacked. Block it deep and wait for one above the tape.
intermediateShort, high and yours. Bandeja or smash?
Deep ball, bandeja. Short ball with your weight going forward, smash.
beginnerThe ball is fired straight at your body at the net
Body balls are backhands. The racket gets in front of your chest faster on that side than on any other.