Adapted Padel Bandeja to Hold the Net

A technical progression for the bandeja, the sliced overhead padel shot that lets the net player answer a lob without giving up position. Students work on overhead hitting technique, depth control, and the tactical choice of when to use it.

How to play

1. Give a 3-minute demo: turn sideways, paddle up in front of the head, and swing forward and down without the power of a smash.
2. Groups of three per half court: one tosses lobs by hand from the far baseline, one hits the bandeja, and one collects balls; switch every 8 tosses.
3. Set two cones 3 feet from the opponents' baseline: a bandeja that bounces between them scores a point.
4. Play 8 minutes of 2v2 starting each rally with a lob: if the net team answers with a bandeja and keeps the net, it scores 2 points.
5. Rotate pairs every 4 minutes and track who lands the most bandejas in the cone zone.

Rules

• The bandeja is for placement, not for winning the point; a hard smash doesn't score.
• After hitting, the player moves back toward the net.
• For safety, the ball collector waits off the court and nobody crosses while someone is swinging.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: hits from a fixed spot with lobs placed right to their side.
• Visual impairment: use a brightly colored ball and call out each toss.
• Low shoulder strength: uses a lighter paddle and hits from closer to the net.

Learning goals

• Perform the bandeja with the correct stance and ball path.
• Place the ball deep to keep control of the net.
• Choose between a bandeja and a smash based on lob height.

Equipment for a class of 25

• padel paddles: 25
• tennis balls: 30
• portable nets: 4
• cones: 16

Teacher tip

The typical mistake is trying to smash: remind students that the bandeja buys time, not points. Without a padel court, set a portable net near a wall to simulate the glass.

More activities like this

More main activities for High School