Padel Smash: Decision, Timing & Safe Finish
Use the smash when the lob gives a genuinely favourable ball. Learn to identify the right contact point and recover if the ball comes back rather than admiring the shot.
Set up
Feed a mix of short and deep lobs. The player calls “smash” or “bandeja” before playing the ball.
Home practice
Practise overhead preparation and landing balance only: 2 sets of 10, pain-free and without forcing range.
Key cues
Decide early.
Contact high and comfortably in front.
Recover for the next ball immediately.
Progressions
Static feeds; mixed-depth lobs; then live points where a poor smash choice costs a point.
Watch drill video Video: The Padel School