The Bajada: How to Master Padel’s Most Spectacular Shot
The bajada (Spanish for ‘descent’) is one of padel’s most thrilling and unique shots. It occurs when you attack a ball after it bounces off the back glass — essentially turning a defensive position into an aggressive one. Mastering the bajada means you can attack from anywhere on the court, making you unpredictable and dangerous.
What Makes the Bajada Special
In padel, the glass walls are part of the playing surface. When a powerful shot or smash hits the back glass and rebounds, most players simply lob it back defensively. The bajada flips this script — instead of defending, you attack the rebound with an aggressive drive or winner.
- Surprise factor: Opponents expect a lob from the back of the court, not an attacking drive
- Court reclaim: A successful bajada often wins the point outright or forces a weak return that lets you take the net
- Momentum shift: Even in a defensive position, the bajada lets you seize control of the rally
Reading the Ball Off the Glass
The hardest part of the bajada isn’t the swing — it’s reading how the ball will come off the glass. The rebound depends on:
Speed of the Incoming Shot
A hard smash will bounce off the glass with pace, giving you less time but more energy to redirect. A slower shot produces a weaker rebound that you need to generate your own power for.
Angle of Impact
A ball hitting the glass straight on rebounds straight back. A ball hitting at an angle goes sideways. Learn to read the angle early and position yourself accordingly.
Spin
Topspin makes the ball kick up off the glass. Backspin makes it stay low. Side-spin causes unpredictable lateral movement. Watch the ball’s rotation as it approaches.
Height of Impact
A ball hitting the glass high rebounds further into the court, giving you more space. A low impact keeps the ball close to the glass, making the bajada much harder.
Bajada Technique: Step by Step
Step 1: Position Yourself Behind the Ball
As the ball approaches the back glass, move to a position where the rebound will come to you at waist-to-chest height. You should be 1-2 metres from the glass, depending on the rebound distance.
Step 2: Open Stance
Use an open stance (facing the net) rather than a sideways stance. This gives you better visibility of your opponents’ positions and allows for quicker execution.
Step 3: Short Backswing
There’s limited time between the glass rebound and your contact. Keep the backswing short and compact — think of it as a punch rather than a full swing.
Step 4: Contact Point
Hit the ball at waist height or slightly higher, out in front of your body. The contact should feel clean and solid, driving through the ball toward your target.
Step 5: Drive Through
The bajada is an attacking shot — commit to it. Drive through the ball with controlled aggression, aiming for pace and placement rather than just spinning it back.
Step 6: Follow the Shot In
After hitting the bajada, move forward to claim the net position. A great bajada followed by staying at the back of the court wastes the opportunity.
Types of Bajada
The Flat Bajada
Hit with pace and minimal spin, aimed at the opponents’ feet or the gap between them. The most common and effective variation.
The Lob Bajada
Instead of driving low, you lob the ball high over the net players. Effective when opponents are tight to the net and not expecting height.
The Cross-Court Bajada
Redirecting the ball to the opposite side of the court. This pulls opponents wide and opens up the straight side for your partner.
The Drop Shot Bajada
A soft touch shot that barely clears the net. High difficulty but devastating when opponents are deep.
Common Bajada Mistakes
- Standing too close to the glass: The ball needs space to rebound. If you’re pressed against the glass, you can’t swing properly.
- Overhitting: The bajada doesn’t need to be a winner. A well-placed drive that gets you to the net is enough.
- Not reading the rebound: Every glass rebound is different. Watch the ball, don’t guess.
- Staying back after hitting: The whole point is to transition from defence to attack. Follow your shot to the net.
- Trying it on every back glass ball: Some rebounds are too low, too fast, or too awkward for a bajada. Sometimes a lob is the smart play.
Bajada Practice Drills
Drill 1: Glass Rebound Feeding
Have your partner smash balls at the back glass from mid-court. Practice hitting bajadas from the rebounds. Start at medium pace and increase as your reading improves.
Drill 2: Bajada to Net Transition
Hit a bajada, then immediately sprint to the net and play out the point. This builds the habit of following your shot in.
Drill 3: Target Zones
Place targets in different areas of the court. Alternate between flat bajadas to the feet, cross-court bajadas, and lob bajadas. Score yourself on accuracy.
When Not to Hit a Bajada
The bajada is a high-risk, high-reward shot. Don’t attempt it when:
- The rebound is below knee height — too difficult to drive effectively
- You’re off-balance or out of position
- Both opponents are perfectly positioned at the net with no gaps
- The rebound stays too close to the glass to swing freely
In these situations, a well-placed defensive lob is the smarter choice. Live to fight another rally.
The bajada is the shot that makes spectators cheer and opponents groan. Master the glass reading, commit to the shot, and always follow it to the net. Combine it with your net game and overhead skills, and you’ll have a complete attacking arsenal from every area of the court.
