How to serve well in padel

How to serve to win

A good serve is one of the keys to being a good padel player. When we start out we usually pay little attention to it and focus on volleys and other shots. But as we improve, we realise the serve is a fundamental shot that helps us take the initiative in the point.

The technique behind a good serve

First, be very clear about your position. Stand side-on, with your feet aligned with the racket and placed sideways to the service line. Prepare the racket up and back with the face slightly open. Last but not least, hold the hand with the ball extended at shoulder height.

Direction is essential: practise your aim in every session to control where the ball goes, and do the same with power until you find the right balance. With all of this under control, the serve becomes an advantage.

How to hit a slice serve

Once in position, bounce the ball so that it does not rise above your hip and hit it at its highest point with a top-to-bottom slice, so the bounce is minimal.

We know it sounds easy written down, but it takes a lot of practice to get the spin, power and position right. And be careful: you cannot step on the service line, bounce the ball in front of it or hit the ball above your waist. Mastering all this gives you an edge over your opponent.

Video to make your serve harder to return