Le service to padel. We all know the rules major aspects of the game, but there are a few particularities that are interesting to know. Let's take a few minutes to better use all the "tricks" of this move.

Let's go back to the basics. At padel we have to let the ball bounce, impact it below the belt, in the direction of the service box located in the diagonal. This ball must make its rebound then be hit by the returner before or after rebounding on one of the windows. The serve will be considered “out” if the ball bounces out of the area or touches any of the metal parts before or after the bounce.

Now, there are some additional rules, not necessarily known, but which can either confuse the opponents or allow you to achieve a better serve.

Impact on the other side of the court

Imagine a right-hander who serves in the left-right diagonal. You have to let the ball bounce on the left side of the T, and you have to have one foot on the ground on the left side at the moment of impact (not on the right), but you can perfectly impact the ball on the right side . This rule allows the right-hander posted on the right to reach his position more quickly, without breaking the law.

This rule is also possible for a left-hander on the right, but it is much less used.

Bounce behind the line yes, but impact?

The rule is clear. You must bounce the ball behind the service line before hitting it. But nothing prevents you from hitting this ball behind or in front of it. So, if you're the aggressive type after a serve, going full speed to the net, this rule can help you save time, or simply impact your faceoff more violently.

Strike height is the waist, not the hip

And yes, everything is said. This is a very difficult rule to apply in matches not supervised by referees. You have to understand that the rule says you have to hit below waist level, except that waist height is higher than hip height. The most glaring example is the service of Paquito Navarro, always at the limit.

Service by 3

Put the ball in play today at padel consists above all in moving the opponents to be able to easily reach the offensive zone at the net. Some try to be aggressive but with time and experience you realize that this doesn't necessarily give you the edge.

In some videos, you can see players performing serves that are so topspin and powerful that they go off the court beyond 3 meters. You really have to understand all the rules and work in training to try this in a match. Could this be the future attack service?

Not the same in France

And yes, as much as these rules are valid in most countries, they are not in France. In the hex, the feet must always remain on the same side of the court, and the ball must be impacted behind the line. It is therefore possible that depending on the country these rules differ.

To each his service, at the limit of fault or not, it's up to you. But be careful during unofficial games not to play with fire by creating tension among your opponents, it would be a shame!

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.

On the same subject

Tags