A bajada is an attack ball played by the opponents out of the window. Here are some tips for learning how to defend it.

Play at padel is a mixture of moments of attack and moments of defense. In general, the attacking position is at the net and the defending position at the back of the court. But… depending on the shot we have to make, we may be in an attack position from the back of the court, especially when we have to play a ball above waist level. Hitting the ball at this height allows us to have a downward trajectory, therefore, fast. This is therefore the case for an attack window exit or bajada.

So how to defend a bajada ?

We are at the bottom of the track, we make a lob on our opponents and we take the net. This is when you have to play late. So that it is clear and simple for all, it is better to play in the most logical way, that is to say cross.

Left player

In this diagonal, you will logically find yourself facing a right-handed player. During a lob, either this player will have to make a bajada backhand (near the side window) or forehand (in the center of the field).

  • Bajada reverse: In this case, the player will rarely opt for a ball towards the center. So after your lob, you and your partner will need to “stick” the net to cover the angles. Your opponent's options will be to play along the line or cross the grid, rarely at excessive speed. If he chooses a lob, you will have plenty of time to go back to the bottom.

 

  • Bajada forehand: Here the player will have more facilities to accelerate the ball. So the areas generally chosen will be the center or the body. After your lob, do not stick to the net but make a support recovery in the middle of the service box. This will allow you to block the bajada fast, see the ball coming and either continue towards the net or go back to the bottom of the track. Tip: To block a blow coming to your body, put yourself in a backhand position.

Right player

2 possibilities: If you have a left-hander in your diagonal, you will adopt the same tactics as on the left diagonal, or you will have a right-hander and here are his options: a bajada backhand from the center of the track, or a bajada forehand close to the side window.

  • Bajada reverse: After your lob, the player will have to make a bajada backhand from the center of the track. Few options present themselves to him. Quick in the center or quick on the player who is in front of him, ie the player on the left. To defend this bajada, move closer to the net, have the player on the right cover the center of the lane, and the player on the left shift slightly to the left. This way you close the angles and can volley behind the back of the player who has just made the bajada.

 

  • Bajada forehand: It is perhaps the most complicated to defend. If your lob towards the angle is of average quality, the right-hander positioned on the right has a lot of options: long line, center on the left player, center on the right player, fast on the body of the players. 2 players, cross run towards the grid, or a lob. How to do ? The first option would be to achieve a perfect lob or never play in that direction 😉 but that would be unprofessional of us. The second option is to try to close the angles with the player on the left slightly ahead of the player on the right. This way you can cover along the line, the cross is maintained by the right player, the short cross ball can be played after bouncing off the grid, and you can counter with a bandeja in the case of a lob.

Defend a bajada is something that is done as a team. Set up your tactics in pairs, and above all, the most important, between each shot, recover your pala in front of you in a high position (at chest height).

It's your turn

Julien Bondia

Julien Bondia is a teacher of padel in Tenerife (Spain). Columnist and advisor, he helps you play better through his tutorials and tactical/technical articles padel.

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