The Por Tres in Padel: How to Smash the Ball Out of the Court
What is a por tres?
Quick take. The por tres ("by three" in Spanish, after the 3 m wall) is a smash that bounces in the opponents' half, kicks off their back wall and flies out over the side wall. Play it on an easy, high ball near the net. Aim across your body so the ball lands about a metre in front of the service line and hits the back wall a couple of metres from the corner.
It is one of the most exciting shots in padel, and a crowd favourite on the pro tour. But it is also easy to overdo. Learn the safer overheads first: the bandeja and the vibora.
Is it allowed?
Yes. Under the federation rules, a ball that bounces correctly in the opponents' court and then goes out of the court is lost by the player who failed to return it. On courts with enough space outside and where the rules allow it, opponents may run out through the door and try to play the ball back.
When to try it
- The lob is high and comfortable, not rushed.
- You are close enough to the net, roughly between the net and the service line.
- You can get side-on and under the ball in time.
If the ball is low, deep or behind you, play a bandeja and keep the net instead.
Where to aim
Hit across your body, towards the side of the court opposite your racket arm. The bounce should be about a metre before the opponents' service line, so the ball rebounds off the back wall a couple of metres from the corner and has the height to clear the side wall.
How to hit it
- Turn side-on early and point at the ball with your free hand.
- Push up from your legs as you swing.
- Make contact at the highest point, in front of you.
- Open the racket face slightly and snap the wrist to add topspin and power.
- Recover straight away: if it doesn't go out, the ball is still in play.
And the "por cuatro"?
Some players also smash over the 4 m back wall. It needs even more power and is rarely worth the risk at club level.
Practise it with a coach, and watch the pros do it on Premier Padel (how to watch from Bangkok). Post your best por tres in the Bangkok Padel Community on Facebook.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What is a por tres in padel?
A smash that bounces in the opponents' court, rebounds off their back wall and leaves the court over the 3-metre side wall. It is usually a winner.
Is a por tres legal in padel?
Yes. If the ball bounces correctly on the opponents' side and then goes out over the wall, the point goes to the hitter unless an opponent returns it, which some courts allow by running outside.
When should I try a por tres?
On a comfortable, high lob when you are close enough to the net and have time to set up. Don't force it from deep or when the ball is low.
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