The rules of padel do not impose anything on the placement to adopt during a return of service. So what is best? Always stay in one place or move?

If we watch the matches of padel professional level, players adopt always the same position when returning from service. Why ? Because this is the best placement that exists for the spin and ball speed offered by the server.

But on lesser levels, why not modify this position to disrupt the server ? Have you ever thought about it?

Nothing prevents you from squarely enter the service area. The rule only says that “the return of service must be done after the ball bounces into the square”. What is preventing you from getting completely “glued” to the side window or still very close to the center of the track?

Know that all these positions that you can adopt during a return from service can both help with complicated returns of service, but also to disrupt servers who have become accustomed to seeing a turner always placed in the same place. That way you force him to play differently, and if he lacks experience, you can (maybe) take the break.

Try things, padel is a young sport where we all still have a lot to learn.

Julien Bondia

Julien Bondia is a teacher of padel in Tenerife (Spain). Columnist and advisor, he helps you play better through his tutorials and tactical/technical articles padel.

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