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💥
Remate (Smash)
offensiveintermediatealso called Remate / Smash
The flat overhead smash. In padel you can hit it out of the court (por tres / por cuatro) for a winner — but only when the bounce allows.
🎯 When to use it
- \u2713Short, high lob from opponents — perfect strike-zone ball.
- \u2713You can attack the corner where the glass meets the side wall to bounce the ball out.
- \u2713Score is in your favor and the smash is high-percentage.
\u26a0\ufe0f Common mistakes
- \u2717Going for a smash on every lob — bandeja is the safer default.
- \u2717Smashing flat into the middle of the court — long rebound, easy bajada.
- \u2717Trying to smash a ball that's drifted behind you — almost never works.
🏆 Technique — step by step
- 1Continental grip, full tennis-style overhead motion.
- 2Contact above and slightly in front, racket face flat.
- 3Target the corner (3-meter line near the side glass) for the 'por tres' winner.
- 4Step into the ball — power comes from legs and core, not just arm.
💡 Pro tip
The 'por tres' (out-the-back) and 'por cuatro' (out-the-side) winners feel amazing but are rarely worth the risk. Most smashes should target the back corner and accept a defensive return.
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