X3 / X4
X3 and X4 are player shorthand for the rare “through the post” recovery shots - por tres (through 3) and por cuatro (through 4). They refer to playing the ball around the corner post or through the mesh opening to return a ball that has left the playing area. Both are legal under FIP rules and look spectacular when they come off.
What are X3 and X4 in padel?
X3 is shorthand for por tres - a recovery shot hit around the side post when a ball has been lobbed or smashed out through the opening. X4 is por cuatro - the same idea but through the mesh fence. Both keep the ball in play if it lands back inside the opponent’s court.
When do these shots come up?
They are recovery shots on balls that have been hit so wide they leave the court through an open door or over the fence. Players sprint out, take the ball off the bounce outside the court, and play it back around the post or through the mesh. Rare in beginner play, dramatic when they appear at pro level.
How they work under FIP rules
The FIP rulebook allows a player to leave the court via any opening to chase a ball that has bounced inside their court and then exited. The return must travel back over the net and land inside the opponent’s court. The X3/X4 names just describe the route - through the corner post or through the mesh opening.
Coach tip: Do not chase every wide ball. Most players who attempt X3 or X4 returns lose the point. Use it when you have committed to the run and have nothing to lose.
Common misconceptions
X3 and X4 are not separate shot techniques - they are routes back into play. The actual swing is whatever you can manage in the moment. Some clubs do not have side openings, so X3/X4 returns are physically impossible there. The doors and mesh openings vary by court build.
