La bajada : risky move, unnecessary risk?

A study of Padelmetrics reveals details about the bajada wall, a very popular shot in padel, both offensive and spectacular. But the bajada, what is it? It is a glass-clear shot where the ball bounces high enough to be hit above the waist. This shot, taken from the baseline, often scores winning points, but it carries a high risk. Of the more than 8 shots played in men's matches of the World Padel Tour (WPT), this gesture is used in less than 3% of cases. The reason is simple: although the bajada can earn points, it is also one of the riskiest moves in the game.

A more common blow among female players

In women's padel, the bajada wall is a little more common, due to less aggressive play with more use of lobs to try to regain the net. This means that the opportunities for bajada are more numerous. The bajada forehand is the most frequent (91,2% of the total) and is often performed by the left-handed player. The backhand version is much rarer.

A favorable game situation

When a player attempts a bajada wall, his opponents are usually on the volley in 73,7% of cases. It is a difficult shot to control when hit with power, which explains why the bajada wall can often turn into a winning point. bajada can also be played with finesse; with the ball in the air, it is easier to target specific areas of the field and score. However, even in this offensive situation, it remains one of the riskiest shots.

The advantages: a high probability of a winning point

La bajada wall is one of the shots most likely to end in a winning point, concluding in winner in 7,94% of cases, behind the smash and the smash feint. This characteristic makes it a sought-after shot by players wanting to gain the upper hand, especially when their opponents are close to the net.

Disadvantages: high risk of direct error

The negative aspect of the bajada wall lies in its high potential for error. Nearly 8,47% of bajadaForehand shots tend to result in unforced errors, making them one of the most likely shots to fail, even compared to offensive shots like the Smash (5,86%).

For amateurs, a double-edged blow

Amateurs who try the bajada wall often encounter more difficulties. Statistics show that, among juniors, for example, this shot has a success rate (15,91% of winning shots) but also results in direct errors in 15,15% of cases. For an amateur player, risk management is all the more complex, with often limited technique and experience to succeed in this move without making multiple errors.

Should we take the risk?

La bajada wall is a tempting move, but it is essential to ask yourself a few questions before using it:

Am I making too many unforced errors?
Am I taking unnecessary risks?
Should I only use this move in obvious situations?
Could I go for a lob instead?
Do I have the technical quality to perform a bajada ?

For many, the bajada wall remains an impressive move that one wishes to master, but it requires great technical mastery and risk management. While it can provide opportunities to dominate the exchange, it is important to evaluate whether it constitutes a real asset in your game.

Benjamin Dupouy

I discovered padel directly during a tournament, and frankly, I didn't really like it at first. But the second time, it was love at first sight, and since then, I haven't missed a single match. I'm even ready to stay up until 3am to watch a final of Premier Padel !