RALLY ACADEMY | TECHNIQUE & TACTICS
Your opponents play a clever lob. It travels over your non-dominant shoulder, forcing you to move backwards.
You can't quite get into position for a comfortable bandeja.
But giving up the net feels unnecessary.
This is where the gancho comes in.
The gancho is a hooked overhead shot that helps you deal with awkward lobs while maintaining pressure and recovering your attacking position.
It may not be as famous as the smash or víbora, but it's a valuable addition to an improving player's game.
1. What Is a Gancho in Padel?
Gancho is Spanish for hook.
The name describes the curved overhead movement used to reach a ball that has travelled towards an awkward shoulder.
For a right-handed player, the shot commonly comes into play when a lob travels over the left shoulder.
For a left-handed player, the situation is mirrored.
Instead of fully retreating to allow the ball to bounce, you reach up and use a controlled hooking movement to return it.
What's the Main Objective?
The gancho usually aims to maintain pressure rather than finish the point outright.
A controlled overhead can force opponents towards the back of the court while giving you an opportunity to recover your net position.
2. Gancho vs Bandeja vs Smash
Understanding the difference helps you choose the correct shot.
| Shot | Typical purpose |
|---|---|
| Bandeja | Maintain net position with a controlled overhead |
| Víbora | Add attacking pressure with sliced or sidespin-oriented contact |
| Gancho | Deal with an awkward lob over the non-dominant shoulder |
| Smash | Attack a suitable overhead opportunity |
These categories overlap, and execution can vary between players and coaches.
The important question is whether you're balanced and have enough time to play the shot.
3. When Should You Use a Gancho?
When the Lob Crosses Your Non-Dominant Shoulder
This is the classic situation.
A comfortable bandeja may require too much repositioning, but the ball is still reachable overhead.
When You Want to Retain the Net
A controlled gancho can prevent you from automatically surrendering your attacking position.
When You Have Limited Preparation Time
Because the technique can be executed with a relatively compact movement, it may be suitable when the lob leaves you slightly late.
When Should You Avoid It?
Don't attempt a gancho when you're significantly off balance, unable to reach the ball safely or forced too far behind your preferred position.
Sometimes allowing the ball to bounce and defending from the back is the better decision.
4. How to Hit a Gancho: Step by Step
Step 1: Recognise the Lob Early
Watch the trajectory as soon as your opponents strike the ball.
Identify whether it will travel towards your hitting shoulder or across to the opposite side.
The earlier you recognise the situation, the more time you have to prepare.
Step 2: Adjust Your Feet
Use small steps to move into a balanced position.
Avoid crossing your feet carelessly while retreating.
You want enough stability to reach the ball and recover after contact.
Step 3: Turn Your Shoulders
Rotate your upper body to prepare for the overhead.
You don't need the same extensive preparation as a full-power smash, but a suitable shoulder turn helps create a controlled movement.
Step 4: Track the Ball With Your Free Hand
Raise your non-hitting hand to help judge the ball's position.
This can support balance and coordination.
Step 5: Reach Up and Make Controlled Contact
Extend your hitting arm comfortably and use a hooking overhead action.
Depending on your contact angle, the racket may travel across the ball to create spin.
Avoid attempting to force extreme wrist movement.
Step 6: Choose a Target
Aim for a difficult but realistic area, often towards the back corner or side glass.
Your objective is to prevent opponents from attacking immediately.
Step 7: Recover Towards the Net
After contact, evaluate the reply.
If your shot has forced the opponents into defence, move back towards an appropriate attacking position.
If the return is strong, prepare accordingly.
5. The Best Targets for a Gancho
The ideal target depends on your court position and which opponent is defending.
Deep Into the Corner
A controlled shot towards the back corner can make the next return difficult.
Towards the Side Glass
An angled overhead that lands legally before reaching the glass can create an awkward rebound.
Into Space
If your opponents have left a gap, placing the ball accurately may be more effective than chasing maximum spin.
A good gancho is about maintaining the advantage, not proving how hard you can hit.
6. Common Gancho Mistakes
Contacting the Ball Too Late
Allowing the ball to travel too far behind you can make a controlled overhead difficult.
The fix: Read the lob early and adjust your feet before swinging.
Trying to Smash Everything
The gancho isn't simply a full-power smash from an awkward position.
The fix: Use a controlled movement and prioritise placement.
Forgetting the Free Hand
Poor tracking can affect timing and balance.
The fix: Use your non-hitting hand to help judge the ball's flight.
Remaining at the Back
A well-executed overhead loses much of its tactical value if you fail to recover your position.
The fix: Prepare to advance when the quality of your shot allows it.
7. Three Gancho Training Drills
Drill 1: Controlled Overhead Feeds
Ask a coach or partner to feed gentle lobs towards your non-dominant shoulder.
Practise the shoulder turn, tracking and contact point.
Begin with accuracy rather than speed.
Drill 2: Move, Hit, Recover
Start near your normal attacking position.
Move backwards to a fed lob, play a gancho and then recover towards the net.
Focus on balanced movement.
Drill 3: Target the Corner
Place a target zone towards the back corner of the opposite court.
Practise directing controlled gancho shots into that area.
Track how many successful attempts land within your chosen target.
8. Does Racket Choice Matter?
Overheads often involve quick adjustments and contacts away from your ideal position.
Manageable weight, comfortable balance and predictable response are useful characteristics to consider.
Some players prefer a versatile teardrop racket for this reason.
The RALLY SOLACE offers a 12K carbon face, teardrop shape and 360–365g weight profile for players exploring all-round performance.
However, improving your positioning and timing will usually matter more than changing racket specifications.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
What Does Gancho Mean?
Gancho is Spanish for hook and describes the curved overhead action.
Is a Gancho the Same as a Bandeja?
No. They're related overhead techniques, but the gancho is particularly useful when a lob travels towards an awkward shoulder.
Is the Gancho an Attacking Shot?
It can create pressure, but its primary purpose is often maintaining an advantageous court position.
Can Beginners Learn the Gancho?
Yes, although it helps to develop basic overhead movement and ball tracking first.
Should You Hit It Hard?
Not necessarily. A controlled gancho with effective placement is often more reliable than an aggressive swing.
Final Thoughts: Keep the Net Without Taking Unnecessary Risks
The gancho is one of those shots that becomes valuable the moment you recognise why it exists.
Not every lob gives you a comfortable smash.
Not every overhead requires you to retreat.
With the right footwork, timing and controlled contact, you can turn awkward situations into useful attacking opportunities.
At RALLY, we believe smart players know there's more than one way to win a rally.
Read the ball. Choose the shot. Own the court.
