Guide to Padel Smash Defence: Techniques for Every Overhead Shot

Dec 12

Defending the smash is one of the biggest separators between a casual padel player and a truly competitive one. Many players can hit a decent lob, but only a few know how to turn an opponent’s devastating overhead into a chance to attack.

We all know the common feeling: the ball is flying at me, and I just block and pray. This often leads to the ball flying straight back into the net or, worse, going out of court for an easy winner.

This guide promises a simple framework: learn to read the smash, move correctly, and then choose the right defensive response. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly where to move and what shot to play against every type of overhead, giving you confidence when the pressure is on.

Types of Overheads You Must Recognise

The first step in effective defence is recognising the shot before your opponent even makes contact. Understanding these different overheads is crucial.

Flat Smash: Usually hit hard and straight, often aiming to bounce out of the court. Look for a tense arm and shoulder, a big preparation, and an explosive swing. The typical danger is the ball rocketing off the back glass or going straight out of court.
Topspin / Kick Smash: The racket brushes up the back of the ball, causing it to jump aggressively forward after hitting the back glass. The player's body leans slightly back on contact, and the racket is brushing up. Danger: the ball kicks up violently at shoulder or head height after the back wall, rushing your response.
Víbora (Attacking Slice Overhead): This involves side-spin or diagonal spin, resulting in a medium-fast shot often directed into corners or at the body. The player has a lower contact point than a flat smash and a more 'whippy' motion. Danger: the ball skids low and away after the glass, often arriving at an awkward height around your hip.
Bandeja (Defensive Slice Overhead): This is a controlled slice used primarily to maintain the net position rather than finish the point. Look for a slower swing with contact a bit further behind the body, emphasising shape and depth over raw power. Danger: it pushes you back and keeps you defending, but it is rarely a true "winner."

The Golden Rules Before the Ball Crosses the Net

Before focusing on technique, master these fundamental defensive principles.

1. Decide Early: Glass or No Glass

After you lob and see your opponent loading the smash, quickly ask yourself: “Is this likely to go deep enough to hit my back glass?”

If yes, prepare to let it pass and take it after the glass.
If no, stay compact and defend it before the wall at a comfortable contact height.

2. Stop Backpedalling – Move Sideways

Do not run directly backwards away from the net. Instead, emphasise small side-steps or crossover steps to adjust your position. Keep your eyes on the ball, your shoulders roughly side-on, and your racket prepared early and high.

3. Use the Split Step

Right before the opponent contacts the smash, execute a small hop onto the balls of your feet. This primes your body, allowing you to explode either forward (for flat/kick smashes) or adjust sideways/back (for slice/bandeja).

4. Aim to Hit in Front of Your Body

Whether you take the ball before or after the glass, the ideal defence involves making contact in front of you, not jammed at your hip or behind your head. This often means waiting a fraction longer, letting the ball pass your body line, and then stepping forward to play the shot.

Turn Power Into Your Ally: Defending the Flat Smash

Against big, flat smashes, your best friends are the back glass and your own forward movement. As soon as you see a big, flat smash loading, take your first steps forward from the back glass. Your objective is to let the ball hit your back wall, then meet it as it comes out, closer to the service line. This forward movement is key to neutralising the pace.

Contact Point and Technique:

Racket prepared early, short backswing.
Use the opponent’s pace: use a compact block or a mini-swing, not a huge loop.
Think of it as a firm volley or counter-attack, aiming cross-court at the opponents’ feet or into open space.

Target Zones: High-percentage targets are deep to the middle between the opponents or right at the feet of the net player who just smashed (they’re often off-balance). Avoid trying fancy topspin lobs on the run or low line drives through the middle with no clearance.

Surviving the Jumping Ball: Defending the Topspin / Kick Smash

The topspin smash will kick forward and up after the glass, so you must give it space and be prepared to take it early after the bounce.

Positioning: When you anticipate heavy topspin, start slightly further back to give the ball room to drop after it jumps off the glass. Avoid standing directly on top of the back fence; leave a small gap so you can step forward into the ball.

Footwork and Body Orientation: Stay side-on; your chest should not face the back wall fully. As the ball hits the glass, step slightly forward diagonally (towards the centre or corner) to meet the kick.

Shot Selection: The safe option is a high, deep lob back over the same smasher, which buys you time to reset. The aggressive option is a drive cross-court or through the middle, but only if the ball sits nicely at shoulder height and both opponents are committed forward.

Neutralising Slice Overheads: Defending the Víbora and Bandeja

These shots are less about raw power and more about spin and positioning.

Against the Víbora

Notice the diagonal racket path and the opponent’s body leaning slightly sideways; this is how you read the side-spin. Expect the ball to slide low and curve into the side/back glass junction.

Movement: Many players get 'stuck' in the corner. You need to start near the side glass as the ball travels, and then take a small step back from the glass to create space for the rebound. Track the ball with a small pivot/turn rather than twisting your spine at the last moment.
Ideal Defence: Use a short, controlled swing, mostly using the opponent’s spin. Aim cross-court high over the net or lob back down the line if they’ve over-committed.

Against the Bandeja

The bandeja’s job is to keep them at the net, not to finish the point. Encourage patience and discipline: reset, don’t panic. Stand a bit deeper, expecting a deep, slower ball.

Best answers: A solid, deep lob over the same player, or a cross-court chiquita (a low, soft drive at their feet) if they leave the ball short.
Crucial Note: If they bandeja and you give them a lob at shoulder height, you’re feeding their next smash – so keep your lobs high and deep.

Simple Drills You Can Run in 20 Minutes

Bring these practical drills to the court to solidify your technique.

Drill 1: Flat Smash Off the Back Glass
Coach/partner at the net smashes deep down the middle. The defender must always let it hit the back glass, then play cross-court. Progression: add targets (cones) or require the defender to move in and attack the net.
Drill 2: Kick Smash Read and Move
Net player alternates between a flat smash and a topspin smash. The defender’s only task is to pick the trajectory and call “forward” (for flat) or “back” (for topspin) with corresponding footwork. Early reps can be shadow-based (no ball) just to groove the movement.
Drill 3: Corner Víbora Defence
The net player feeds víboras consistently into one back corner. The defender starts slightly off the side glass and works on timing the rebound and playing a controlled cross-court lob or drive.
Drill 4: Bandeja Pressure Rally
The net player hits continuous bandejas. Defenders must alternate: one deep lob, one soft chiquita, and repeat. Focus on decision-making rather than power.

Petrina from Play! Ground