Por Tres

The por tres is padel's mic-drop moment. You smash the ball, it slams off the side glass, kicks off the fence, and rockets out through the side door of the court. Your opponents can only watch. The crowd goes wild. You pretend it was totally intentional. Life is good.

What Is a Por Tres?

"Por tres" translates to "by three," referring to the ball contacting three surfaces before exiting the court — typically the ground, the side glass, and the side fence or door frame. The ball escapes through the gap where the court door is, making it virtually impossible to return. It's one of padel's most dramatic winners and the shot that fills highlight reels.

In padel rules, once the ball exits the court, the defenders can legally chase it down outside the court — but they have to get through the door and reach the ball before its second bounce. At the professional level, you'll occasionally see players sprint out the door for a miraculous retrieval. At your local club? That ball is gone and the point is done.

Technique and Execution

Let's be honest: most por tres shots happen by accident. You smash hard at the right angle and the ball finds its way out. But the best players can manufacture them, and here's how:

• Setup: You need a high ball — typically an attackable lob that lets you set up a full overhead smash
• Target: Aim for the side glass approximately two-thirds of the way back from the net
• Angle: Hit with enough crosscourt angle that the rebound carries the ball toward the side door
• Power: This needs pace. A soft shot won't have enough energy to exit the court after multiple wall contacts
• Spin: Flat or with slight sidespin enhances the exit angle after the glass contact

The sweet spot is hitting the glass at an angle that makes the ball rebound toward the door gap. Too steep and it comes back into the court. Too shallow and it stays on the glass side.

When to Use It

You don't really "decide" to hit a por tres the way you decide to lob or play a chiquita. It's more about recognizing the opportunity when a high ball sits up on your smash side and the geometry lines up. That said, positioning matters:

• You're at the net with a high overhead ball
• The ball is on your dominant side (easier to generate the right angle)
• Your opponents are deep, giving the ball more time to exit before they react
• You've been driving smashes at the back wall and want to change the angle dramatically

Common Mistakes

Going for the por tres on every smash is a guaranteed way to lose points. Most attempts will just produce a weak angled shot that the defense handles easily. The biggest mistake is sacrificing placement for power — trying to blast the ball out of the court instead of picking the right angle. Another error is attempting it from too far back on the court. You need to be in a strong net position with the ball well above your head.

Pro Tips

Study the geometry of your home court. Door positions vary slightly between courts, and knowing exactly where the opening is helps you visualize the angle. In matches, set up the por tres by hitting several deep smashes first — this pushes your opponents back and makes the sharp side angle even more effective when you change direction. And when it happens, even accidentally, own it. That confident nod to your partner is part of the shot.