Serve and Volley in Padel: Winning the First Three Shots
Most padel points are decided in the opening exchanges. Here is how to own them.
In padel, the serving pair should always end up at the net. If you are not there by the third shot, you have already lost the initiative.
The Serve Is a Set-Up
Your underarm serve will never be a winner, so stop trying. Aim for depth and placement — into the body or wide into the glass — so the return is defensive.
Move In Immediately
As soon as you strike the ball, move forward. Split-step as your opponent makes contact, roughly around the service line. This gives you a chance to react in either direction.
The Third Shot
The return will usually come back low or as a lob. Low returns are volleyed deep, not smashed. Lobs are answered with a bandeja. Either way, you stay at the net.
Communication
Decide before the point who covers the middle lob. Nine out of ten mid-court confusions come from two players watching each other rather than moving.
Practise It
Play games where the serving pair must reach the net before the third shot or lose the point. It feels artificial for ten minutes, then it becomes instinct.
Small habits at the start of a point decide the whole rally.