The Gancho in Padel: When and How to Use It

It’s an overhead used constantly at high level, but rarely explained properly.

Here’s how to understand it and use it correctly.

1. What It Is

The gancho is an overhead shot played when a lob goes slightly over your left shoulder (for a right-handed player).

Instead of moving around the ball to hit a bandeja, you:

• Stay more central

• Contact the ball above your head

• Hit through it with controlled power

• Drive it toward the back corner

The goal is not to win the point.

The goal is to:

• Regain net position quickly

• Keep opponents pinned in the corner

• Maintain pressure

Think of it as a faster, more direct overhead recovery shot.

2. When to Use It

Use the gancho when:

• The lob comes over your left shoulder

• The ball is more central

• You don’t have time to move around for a proper bandeja

• Moving around would leave too much space open

It’s especially common:

• On the right side of the court (right-handed player)

• Against accurate, central lobs

• When you need to recover net position quickly

If you try to run around every lob, you expose space.

The gancho solves that problem.

3. Who Should Use It?

Beginners

• Focus on learning the bandeja first.

• Introduce the gancho slowly in practice.

• Don’t overuse it.

Intermediate Players

• Perfect level to add the gancho.

• Helps solve positioning problems.

• Great against central lobs.

Advanced Players

• Essential shot.

• Used frequently at high level.

• Allows faster net recovery and tactical control.

If you play competitive matches, this shot becomes very valuable.

4. Step-by-Step Execution

Keep it simple.

Step 1: Recognize the Right Lob

The ball:

• Travels over your left shoulder

• Is too central to comfortably move around

• Would pull you out of position if you tried a bandeja

Decision must be quick.

Step 2: Turn Sideways Immediately

• Turn your shoulders early.

• Raise both arms.

• Non-dominant hand points up to track the ball.

• Get balanced under it.

Early preparation is key.

Step 3: Stay More Central

Unlike a bandeja:

• You do NOT move far around the ball.

• You stay more underneath it.

• Keep your position compact.

This protects your court position.

Step 4: Contact High and Slightly in Front

• Arm more extended.

• Contact above your head.

• Slightly in front of your body.

• Hit through the ball.

Important:

Do not scoop or open the racket face.

The ball must travel forward and slightly downward.

Step 5: Medium Pace, Not Full Power

This is not a smash.

Use:

• Medium speed

• Controlled direction

• Forward acceleration

Too soft = sits up.
Too hard = risky error.

Step 6: Aim for the Back Corner

Best targets:

• Cross court toward the side glass

• Into the fence-glass corner

• Occasionally down the line

Because contact is higher than a bandeja:

• The bounce will be higher.

• You need the glass or fence involved.

Goal:

Make the second bounce die near the back glass.

5. Common Mistakes

• Trying to hit it like a smash

• Opening the racket face (ball floats)

• No shoulder turn

• Poor foot positioning

• Hitting without intention

• Using it when a proper bandeja was easier

Big mistake:

Floating the ball instead of driving it.

The gancho must still apply pressure.

6. Simple Key Reminders

• Use it for central lobs.

• Stay compact.

• Contact high and in front.

• Hit through, not up.

• Aim for glass or fence.

• Recover net quickly.

The gancho is about efficiency.

It helps you:

• Protect position

• Maintain pressure

• Solve awkward lobs

Add it to your overhead options, and your net game becomes much more complete.