The gancho is one of the most underrated but powerful overhead shots in padel.
Perfect for countering opponents who stay aggressive at the net after a lob, the gancho lets you disguise your intentions and turn defence into attack — all with one fluid motion.

When to Play the Gancho

The gancho, meaning "hook" in Spanish, is an overhead shot typically played from the right-hand side of the court.

Key moments to use the gancho:

• When the lob comes over your left shoulder from cross-court, down the line, or the center.

• When a standard bandeja would expose too much space or give your opponent time to recover. If the lob is directed to your left-hand side, a vibora or bandeja is often the better choice.

If the lob is directed to your left-hand side, a vibora or bandeja is often the better choice.

Technique: The Correct Form

To play an effective gancho, focus on these fundamentals:

• Overhead body position
• Contact the ball above and slightly in front of your head
• Arm stays straight during the strike
• Hit slightly downward, brushing through the ball for extra control

The gancho creates a disguised, compact motion that keeps your opponents guessing.

Targeting: Where to Place Your Gancho

The goal with the gancho is simple:

• Aim to hit the back glass or fence.
• Make the ball bounce, rebound, and die low at the back of the court.

Because of the higher contact point compared to a bandeja, the ball naturally bounces higher — but involving the glass or fence adds the extra difficulty your opponents hate dealing with.

Why Choose the Gancho Over a Bandeja?

There are two key reasons to select the gancho instead of a bandeja:

1. Recover faster: A gancho hit from a high contact point lets you stay closer to the net without sacrificing control.
2. Maintain pressure: The gancho allows you to strike more decisively while still preparing quickly for the next shot.

The gancho isn't just a defensive move — it's an aggressive counterattack tool.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the gancho gives you a major advantage when dealing with lobs.
By mixing it into your overhead game, you stay unpredictable, protect your position, and make life extremely difficult for your opponents.

Your game, your story—keep playing.

👉 Watch the full gancho tutorial here!