If a Lob or a Smash rebounds off your back wall so high that it comes back above shoulder height, you can attack it instead of just defending. The Bajada, Spanish for descent, is that shot: you take the ball high after the rebound and play it back hard and low.
How to play the Bajada
1Read early that the ball is coming back high off the wall, and turn sideways.
2Move forward with the ball, away from the wall, so you hit it in front of your body.
3Hit the ball above shoulder height with a motion like the Bandeja or a flat Smash.
4Play it low and deep, ideally into the middle or to the feet of the net players.
Why it works
After their Lob or Smash, your opponents expect a defensive ball. With the Bajada you turn the situation around and put them under pressure.
The ball rebounds high off the back wall, B takes it with the Bajada and plays it back low.Your pairOpponentsBallMovementBounce
Common mistakes
Staying too close to the wall: the ball is then too far behind your body.
Playing too hard into the opponents’ back wall: the ball comes back.
Trying the Bajada when the ball does not rebound high enough.
Drill: High balls off the wall
Your partner plays high, hard balls into your half that rebound high off the back wall.
Move forward with the ball and play the Bajada low into the middle.
Start with slow balls and raise the pace.
Frequently asked questions
What level is the Bajada for?
For advanced players. It only pays off once you play the back wall securely.
Do I have to jump for it?
Not necessarily. Hitting the ball in front of your body matters more.
