A social tournament format where every player partners with every other player exactly once. Each match is played to a fixed point total (typically 24), and players accumulate individual points across rounds. The most popular UK club social format.
Literally 'descent' in Spanish. A shot played off the back glass after the ball rebounds — typically a defensive lob or counter-attack while still in your back court.
A back-glass shot taken on the descending ball — when the ball has rebounded off the back wall and is dropping toward the floor. Often used interchangeably with bajada; some players reserve 'de pared' for the version played later in the rebound at hip height or below.
Where the racket's weight sits relative to its head. Low balance = head-light (control, easier on the arm). High balance = head-heavy (more power, harder to manoeuvre). Round rackets have low balance; diamond rackets high.
A defensive overhead shot played with sliced contact, similar to a controlled volley smash. Used to keep the opponents away from the net while maintaining net dominance. The signature transition shot in padel.
A 4–6 week round-robin league format common at UK padel clubs. Players are grouped into 'boxes' of 4–6 by ability; each plays the others in their box. Winners promote to the higher box; losers relegate.
Spanish padel ranking category, ranging from Categoría 1 (highest, near-pro level) to Categoría 8 (beginner). Used for tournament seeding in Spain and increasingly at UK national tournaments.
Literally 'hunter' in Spanish. An attacking shot played off the back glass when the ball rebounds high enough to be hit before it bounces twice. Distinct from the bajada because it's offensive — driving the ball back down rather than lobbing.
A short, low, soft shot landing just past the net intended to draw the opponent forward off the kitchen line and into a difficult low volley. A common defensive-to-offensive transition.
A racket shape with the sweet spot positioned high near the head. Produces maximum power but punishes off-centre hits. Favoured by aggressive advanced players.
Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate foam used in the body of a padel racket. EVA density determines feel: soft EVA (more comfort, control) vs hard EVA (more power, harsher feel). The single biggest factor in how a racket plays.
International Padel Federation (Federación Internacional de Pádel) — the global governing body. Sets the international rule book and oversees Premier Padel and FIP World Tour events.
When the server's foot crosses the baseline or service line during the serve motion before contact. Results in a fault. Distinct from the let in tennis — there is no warning in padel.
A high arcing shot designed to pass over the net opponent. The most-used tactical shot in padel — used to recover from defensive positions and to push opponents off the kitchen line.
A sudden-death point at deuce (40-40). Eliminates extended deuce sequences and keeps matches within booking-slot time. Used at most UK social and many tournament venues.
Also called teardrop. A racket shape between round and diamond — sweet spot in the upper-middle of the head. Balances power and control. The most popular shape for intermediate players.
A serve that touches the net cord and lands legally in the service box — the point is replayed, no penalty. Service-only in padel; rally lets are not a thing.
The Lawn Tennis Association's padel division — the UK national governing body. Coordinates with British Padel and oversees national rankings, coaching qualifications, and player development pathways.
A tournament format where partnerships are determined after each round based on standings. Variant A pairs top-ranked players together (competitive); variant B pairs top with bottom (balanced).
The net dividing the court, 88cm high at the centre and 92cm at the posts. Padel does not have a non-volley zone — players can volley from anywhere on their side, unlike pickleball's kitchen rule.
The core padel tactical principle — the team that controls the kitchen/net area wins most rallies. Padel strategy is largely about how to get to the net and stay there.
A ball that exits the court (over a fence or wall before bouncing inside the court boundaries). The padel out rule is more permissive than tennis because of the wall geometry — balls can rebound off your own walls and remain in play.
A thin tape wrapped over the racket's main grip for moisture absorption, fresh feel, and slight padding. Replaced every 4–8 sessions of regular play. Cheap (£2–£8) and the easiest performance upgrade for any padel racket.
A pressurised ball similar to but slightly less pressurised than a tennis ball. ITF-approved padel balls have specific bounce and pressure standards. Loses bounce after 2–4 sessions of competitive play.
The current top professional padel tour, formed via merger of the World Padel Tour and FIP Tour in 2024. Hosts major tournaments globally; UK Major event held annually.
A racket shape with the sweet spot in the centre of the head. Largest sweet spot, most forgiving, easiest to control. The shape every beginner should buy — favours consistency over power.
An attacking shot played with topspin from a high contact point — typically from inside the kitchen line off a high opponent's shot. The 'cobra' name reflects the strike motion.
The glass walls running along the sidelines of the court. Balls can rebound off your own side wall and remain in play (unlike tennis tramlines, which are out).
An overhead attacking shot hit with maximum power. In padel, often combined with the side wall — bouncing the smash off the wall to push opponents back behind the back glass.
The required padel serving motion — ball must be struck below waist height (or hip height under FIP 2026 rules). The serve must bounce in your own service court before being struck — distinct from tennis.
Literally 'viper' in Spanish. An attacking sliced overhead with side-spin, hit at a flatter trajectory than the bandeja. Used to keep opponents pinned at the back of the court.
World Padel Tour — the former top professional tour (2013–2023). Merged with FIP Tour into Premier Padel in 2024. Some legacy WPT branding still appears on equipment.