Our Top Tips For A Great Padel Serve!

The padel serve is a key component of any padel match, it sets the tone for each point and offering a unique opportunity to take control when the ball is served correctly and effectively. Although it is key shot on padel, the padel serve is often underutilised by many players. This blog will look into the key steps in making an effective padel serve, covering how to serve, effective serving techniques, strategic aims, and optimal positioning.

How to Serve in Padel Tennis

The padel serve is underhand and must be executed with precision and strategy. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

1. Starting Position: Stand behind the service line, between the centre mark and the side wall. Hold the ball in your non-dominant hand and the racket in your dominant hand.
2. Ball Drop: Release the ball from waist height or lower. Unlike tennis, you cannot toss the ball and it must drop naturally.
3. Contact Point: Swing your racket underhand, making contact with the ball below waist height. The ball must bounce in the service box diagonally opposite before it crosses the net again.
4. Follow Through: Your follow-through should be smooth and controlled, guiding the ball towards your intended target area.

Padel Serve Techniques

1. Flat Serve: A straightforward technique where the aim is to hit the ball with minimal spin. This serve is ideal for accuracy and placement, making it difficult for the opponent to return aggressively.
2. Slice Serve: By brushing the racket face across the back of the ball, you can impart side spin. This causes the ball to curve and bounce in a quick change of direction, making it tricky for opponents to judge and return.
3. Topspin Serve: Though less common in padel, a topspin serve involves hitting the ball with an upward motion, causing it to dip quickly. This can catch your opponent off guard, especially if they are positioned too far back.
4. Body Serve: Aiming the serve directly at your opponent can jam them, limiting their return options and potentially forcing weak responses.

Where to Aim Your Padel Serve

Strategic placement of your serve can significantly impact the outcome of the point. Here are some effective areas to target:

1. Corners of the Service Box: Aiming for the corners forces your opponent to move and stretch, potentially creating weak returns that you can capitalise on.
2. Side Walls: Hitting the ball towards the side wall can cause it to rebound unpredictably, making it harder for your opponent to control their return.
3. Body: As previously mentioned, a body serve can catch your opponent off guard, disrupting their positioning and balance.
4. T-Junction: The area where the side wall and the back wall meet, known as the T-junction, is a challenging spot for opponents to return from. It may catch players off guard making it harder to return.

Where to Stand When Serving

Your positioning before and after the serve can influence your ability to react and control the point. Here’s how to position yourself:

1. Initial Stance: Stand in the middle between the centre mark and the side wall, giving you the flexibility to adjust your position based on your serve and your opponent’s likely return.
2. After Serve Movement: Quickly move towards the net after serving to prepare for volleys. Position yourself slightly towards the centre to cover more ground and react to your opponent’s return.
3. Partner Positioning: Your partner should be alert and positioned near the net, ready to intercept returns. Communication and coordination with your partner are crucial for effective net play.

Mastering the padel serve is learning the strategy, precision, and positioning. By understanding the basics of the serve, practising various techniques, aiming strategically, and positioning yourself correctly, you can turn your serve into a powerful tool in your game.

Geoff Fourie

Managing Director