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The bajada (Spanish: descent) is played as the ball comes off the back glass after a bounce. You strike it before the second bounce. One of padel's most technically demanding shots.
After the ball hits the back glass, step back 1–2m to give yourself space. Many players stand too close to the glass and have no room to swing. Distance creates time.
Every back glass plays slightly differently. Watch the ball from the glass contact point and track its arc early. The bajada requires reading the rebound angle — this is the hardest part.
Contact the ball below the net height if possible, swinging low-to-high to generate lift. The bajada is essentially a low groundstroke played off a rebound — treat it like a rising-ball forehand or backhand.
A well-executed bajada is an attacking shot — it transitions your team from defense (at the glass) to offense (toward the net). Target the feet of a net player or the open space.
After a clean bajada, take 3 steps toward the net with your partner. The bajada is a transition weapon — its value is in regaining the net position, not winning the point outright.
Coach tip
Step back before the ball hits the glass, not after. Those 0.5 seconds of early movement are the difference between a clean bajada and a cramped error.
Upload a video of your bajada and get frame-by-frame AI coaching. SmashIQ identifies contact point, swing path, and footwork automatically.
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