Learn the Padel Bandeja From Scratch! Padel Tips

This video explains one of the more difficult shots to learn:
THE BANDEJA

We start from a beginner level and illustrate the steps for learning the shots and what you should be looking to try and do with the ball.
The basic steps are:
- Turn your body early
- Racket back high and pointing up
- Move feet into position
- Contact infront
- Move back fast to the net

Like with most shots the key is the preparation, fast early movement gets you in a good position and then makes it easier to follow the rest of the tips.

This shot (above most of them) really does require practice. You cannot just expect to bring this into a match, because a lot of it is about confidence. Either practice on your own (as shown in the video) or ask a friend/coach to feed you balls.

About the Coach
"One of the most difficult shots to master from tennis, the contact low and to the side feels unnatural. The only real way to get the bandeja is to practice and once you've got confidence it's an excellent shot to have in your arsenal."

Sandy focused his attention from tennis to padel in 2010, learning the game with several trips and courses in Spain. His education in Sports Biomechanics, combined with playing and coaching at an international level (both in tennis and now padel) puts him in a great position to share his insights in the sport, hopefully helping others learn in the process.

[ThePadelSchool]

Have our expert coaches analyse YOUR shots on our platform: www.thepadelschool.com

[mmorgado]

The best instructional videos on YouTube! Thanks Mate! 🙂

[ginhobrz]

Funny thing is I am spanish but I prefer watch your vídeos than the spanish ones jajajaja great job! Keep It on!

[lastmadcow]

3:21 u are so right! i am from tennis and i always go for the smash

[Martin_Loof]

Thanks Sandy for keeping the videos coming. 👍👏
A good point how to practise alone with a basket of balls. Take care!

[snoweirhawk]

Nice video Sandy! More videos in This style! An advanced video Would be nice too!

[gabrielfuret]

Thanks for the video! was a great explanation

[mikaelchristensen]

Great video again! Thank you for making this - it's a great help

[dimep.]

Very well explained! Love the practice exercise alone with basket! 😁 Do you have another exercise like that to practice topspin smash, please?
Last training we practiced 3 different situations when smashing. If it's short => flat smash; if it's a medium lob => bandeja; and if it's a high lob => topspin or "pushed" deep smash to keep the net. If it's to high obviously we let the ball bouncing and then hit or after the glass but it's difficult sometimes after the glass cause the ball doesn't bounce a lot cause of low speed.

[tomcharles]

great video Padel school!! helped me a lot thank you !!

[skerixlovelharba]

Thanks for the video i think that will help me so much

[claserealdepadelytenis]

Do you think the contact at eye level might happen often in a match? Have you considered to explain your students that the height of the impact would depend on where you are hitting from? I mean, if you are far away from the net (much higher) and if you're closer (you could impact the ball at eye level). Or what do you want to achieve? As you explained, lower contact, less rebound; higher contact, more rebound.

From my point of view, I do prefer to explain "the why" of this shot, as this is a strategy sport. And also there is not a single way to do this technique (if you see the pros, they do it in different ways).

By the way, keep up the good work! This a great channel!

[passosc]

Thank you for the nice video. As a beginner Padel player I do not know technical shot names. Regarding position in the court I think I could understand bandeja is a frequent shot from the back, víbora is more for the center court and smash is for near the net. And I think it's difficult to choose on court when you are at beginner level. And that is the beauty of the game, when strategy and tactics play a relevant role with physics. Thank you to help me thinking of the game!

[edmundkeith]

This is a great video much like all your content. The one question I had about this shot that's not explained in the video is the little jump players seem to do just before they hit it. It seems to me like you need to make sure you're coming down from the jump as you make contact, is that right?

[alezar]

you play like "bela" great video!!

[belgian_fitcouple]

Great video's with A LOT of value!
Thanks and keep it up!

[Angachs]

I always hit it higher than my head, maybe I need to keep more distance from the ball?

[saroule]

This movement explained here is a bit like a vibora?

[acehobbs]

As an intermediate of 5 years, I have been unable to get the bandeja, despite many lessons and hours of throwing the ball up. I am told I must hold the racket at 90 degreess to the forearm like a lollypop or a hammer, and push the racket forward whilst bring the racket down (then follow through), not hit it with the racket extended out like a sword or a normal tennis shot. I just can't get a feel for it, and 99% of my bandejas go out hitting the back wall, usually too hard. I have similar problem with volleys at the net. It seems to be incurable and very frustrating. Also when I try using the lolly pop push technique several spanish padel teachers insist on, my elbow really hurts after. I know that position is important, and did a lot of traiing to catch the ball in the left hand, but still cant hit it more than 50%. When in a game the technique goes out the window, and I find I am hitting it too high (above head height), without rotating the body enough to the right, but I cant seem to fix that. I really hate the badeja, as I know I will lose the point if I ever have to hit one. 'if I want to not lose this the point, I let the ball bounce, and give up the net, or do a beach bat "tap" like a beginner. I live in costa del sol and am surrounded by padel courts, if any instructor wants to have a holiday with free villa and pool, come down and teach me how do do this blasted shot!

[emiliehallas]

What is the rules if you smash the ball into the opponents half and the ball bounces up on the fence on the back wall? Does the game just go on as if it hits the "glass wall"?