What Is the Bajada?
The bajada (Spanish for “descent”) is one of the most exciting and tactically important shots in padel. It’s the shot you play when the ball bounces off the back glass and rises high enough for you to attack it — essentially turning a defensive situation into an offensive opportunity.
Picture this: your opponents hit a deep lob. The ball bounces, hits the back glass, and pops up. Instead of scrambling and playing a soft return, you read the bounce, position yourself perfectly, and drive the ball past your opponents with controlled aggression. That’s the bajada.
It’s spectacular when executed well, and it’s one of the shots that separates intermediate players from advanced ones. Master it, and you’ll transform your back-of-court game entirely.
Why the Bajada Is So Important
The bajada isn’t just a flashy shot — it’s a fundamental tactical weapon. Here’s why it matters:
- Counter-attacking: It turns your opponents’ lobs (which are meant to push you back) into attacking opportunities
- Court positioning: A well-executed bajada allows you to move forward and reclaim the net position
- Pressure: When your opponents know you can play the bajada, they’ll think twice about lobbing — which opens up other tactical options
- Point finishing: An aggressive bajada can win the point outright or set up a winning volley at the net
Without the bajada in your arsenal, your opponents can lob with impunity, constantly pushing you to the back of the court and dominating the net themselves.
Reading the Glass: The Foundation of a Good Bajada
Before we get into the technical breakdown, let’s address the most important skill: reading the bounce off the glass. This is what makes or breaks the bajada, and it’s something that only comes with practice and experience.
Factors That Affect the Bounce
- Speed of the incoming shot: Faster shots bounce harder off the glass and come further out
- Height of the incoming shot: Higher lobs tend to produce higher bounces off the glass
- Spin: Topspin lobs kick up off the glass; flat or sliced lobs tend to die
- Glass type: Different courts have different glass (tempered vs laminated), and the bounce can vary significantly
- Temperature: The ball bounces higher in warmer conditions
Pro tip: When you arrive at a new venue, spend a few minutes during warm-up hitting balls off the back glass to calibrate your reading. Every court is slightly different.
The Technical Breakdown
Step 1: Positioning & Preparation
As soon as you see your opponent lifting the ball deep, start moving backwards. Don’t wait for the ball to bounce — anticipate early. Your aim is to be in position before the ball reaches the glass.
Key positioning points:
- Position yourself roughly 1-2 metres from the back glass (this varies based on how the ball bounces)
- Turn your body sideways to the net — you need a full shoulder rotation for the shot
- Keep your racket back and high, preparing for the strike
- Stay on the balls of your feet, ready to adjust
The biggest mistake at this stage is standing too close to the glass. Give yourself space to step into the shot — you want to be moving forward as you make contact.
Step 2: Timing the Bounce
This is where experience and court time make all the difference. You need to read the ball’s trajectory off the glass and time your shot to meet it at the optimal contact point.
The ideal contact point:
- Between waist and shoulder height
- As the ball is descending (not rising) — this gives you more control
- Slightly in front of your body, allowing you to transfer weight forward
If the ball comes off the glass too low, you’ll need to play a softer, more defensive shot. If it sits up nicely at shoulder height, you’ve got the green light for an aggressive bajada.
Step 3: Footwork
Good footwork is essential for a clean bajada. Here’s the sequence:
- Retreat: Move back to the correct distance from the glass, watching the ball
- Set: Plant your back foot and prepare your body rotation
- Step forward: As you swing, step forward with your front foot towards the ball
- Follow through: Allow your momentum to carry you forward towards the net
That final point is crucial — the bajada should naturally propel you forward. It’s not just a shot; it’s a transition from defence to attack. Your footwork should flow seamlessly from the strike into forward movement towards the net.
Step 4: The Swing
The bajada swing shares similarities with a forehand or backhand drive, but with some important differences:
- Compact backswing: You don’t have time for a huge wind-up. Keep the backswing short and efficient
- Full shoulder rotation: Generate power through rotation, not arm strength
- Flat or slight topspin: Unlike a smash, the bajada is typically hit flat or with slight topspin for control
- Follow through forward: Extend through the shot towards your target, don’t cut across the ball
- Contact out in front: Meet the ball ahead of your body, not beside or behind you
Step 5: Shot Selection
Where you aim your bajada depends on the tactical situation:
- Down the line: The most common target — hit with pace down the sideline to push your opponent back
- Cross-court: Opens up angles and can catch opponents off-guard, but riskier
- At the opponent’s feet: If they’re at the net, a bajada aimed at their feet is extremely difficult to return
- Into the glass: A deep bajada that bounces off the side glass can create impossible angles
Golden rule: In most situations, the down-the-line bajada is the percentage play. It keeps the ball on your side of the court, minimises risk, and gives you the best angle to advance to the net.
Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
1. Standing Too Close to the Glass
The problem: You end up cramped, can’t swing properly, and hit the ball off-balance.
The fix: Give yourself 1-2 metres of space. It’s better to be too far back and step forward than to be jammed against the glass.
2. Not Turning Sideways
The problem: You face the net and try to play the shot with just your arm, resulting in no power and poor control.
The fix: Turn your shoulders fully so your non-hitting shoulder points towards the net. Power comes from rotation, not arm strength.
3. Swinging Too Hard
The problem: You try to blast the ball and lose control, hitting it into the net or out.
The fix: The bajada is about controlled aggression, not brute force. Focus on timing and placement rather than raw power. A well-placed bajada at 70% power is infinitely more effective than a wild swing at 100%.
4. Hitting the Ball Too Late
The problem: You let the ball drop too low after the glass bounce, losing the attacking advantage.
The fix: Commit to the shot early and take the ball at waist-to-shoulder height. If the ball drops below waist height, it’s no longer a bajada — play a softer return instead.
5. Not Moving Forward After the Shot
The problem: You play the bajada but stay at the back of the court, wasting the attacking opportunity.
The fix: Use the momentum of your swing to move forward. The bajada should be a transition shot — the goal is to hit and advance to the net.
Drills to Improve Your Bajada
Drill 1: Glass Bounce Reading
Have a partner hit deep lobs from the other side. Don’t play the bajada — just focus on reading the bounce and positioning yourself correctly. Track the ball, move into position, and simulate the swing without hitting. This builds your anticipation and positioning instincts.
Drill 2: Controlled Bajada Down the Line
Set up a target cone on the opposite side of the court, near the sideline. Have your partner feed deep lobs, and practice hitting bajadas aimed at the cone. Start at 50% power and gradually increase as your accuracy improves.
Drill 3: Bajada and Advance
Play the bajada and immediately move forward to the net. Have your partner return the bajada, and play the next shot as a volley. This trains the full tactical sequence: defend → bajada → advance → volley.
Drill 4: Random Bounces
Have your partner vary the depth, speed, and spin of their lobs. Not every ball will be perfect for a bajada — part of mastering this shot is knowing when to play it and when not to. If the ball doesn’t sit up nicely, practice playing a softer recovery shot instead.
The Bajada vs the Vibora: What’s the Difference?
These two shots are often confused, so let’s clear it up:
- Bajada: A drive hit off the back glass bounce, typically flat or with slight topspin, aimed to pass opponents or push them back
- Vibora: A shot hit from a higher position (often before the glass), using slice/side spin, typically played as a volley rather than a groundstroke
The bajada is fundamentally a groundstroke off the glass. The vibora is more of an overhead/volley shot. Both are attacking shots from the back of the court, but they use different techniques and are triggered by different situations.
Final Thoughts
The bajada is one of those shots that looks effortless when the pros do it — but behind that effortlessness is hours of practice reading the glass, refining footwork, and developing the timing to strike the ball at exactly the right moment.
Start by mastering the positioning and reading. Then work on a controlled, compact swing with emphasis on placement over power. Finally, integrate the forward movement so the bajada becomes a seamless transition from defence to attack.
It won’t happen overnight, but once the bajada clicks, you’ll wonder how you ever played without it. It’s the shot that transforms you from a player who gets pushed around to a player who controls the court.
Recommended Gear for the Bajada
The bajada demands a racket with power and a firm feel — you need to transfer energy efficiently from your swing into the ball. Here are our top picks for rackets that excel at the bajada:
A good overgrip is also essential for the bajada — you need maximum grip security when swinging aggressively off the back glass. We recommend the Wilson Pro Overgrip for the best balance of tackiness and absorption.
For footwork, proper padel shoes with good grip are critical — you need to plant and push off explosively when stepping into the bajada.
Now get on the court and start practising. 💪
