The Perfect Serve: A Padel Player’s Guide

Have you ever felt lost on the padel court on how to properly serve? A good serve is a crucial element in this sport as it sets the tone for the rest of the point. Luckily, with some practice and guidance, anyone can improve their serve and take their padel game to the next level. In this article, we will break down the steps needed to achieve the perfect serve.

The Stance

To begin with, you need to have the right stance. Stand sideways to the net with your feet shoulder-width apart. Your front foot should be facing the net while your back foot should be turned about 90 degrees away from it. Keep your knees slightly bent, and your weight should be evenly distributed between both feet. Having the right stance will help you initiate the serve in the right direction.

The Grip

Next, you need to have the right grip to ensure that you hit the ball in the right way. Hold the racket firmly with your dominant hand in the continental grip position, commonly referred to as the “hammer grip”. Keep in mind that the grip you choose is essential to communicating effectively in padel doubles with your partner. Experiment to see what grip works best for you.

The Toss

The placement of the ball during the serve is crucial to a successful serve. You need to get the toss right! Toss the ball with your non-dominant hand in front of your front foot and slightly to the right (if you are right-handed), to ensure that it is in the perfect position to be hit. The toss’s height should be around the level of your shoulder or slightly higher. Avoid tossing the ball too high as it could cause the ball to bounce too high or too low.

The Swing

The swing can make or break your serve, so make sure you get it right. Start by bringing the racket back behind your head to build momentum and, in a continuous motion, move your arm forward towards the ball. As you approach contact with the ball, extend your arm and hit the ball with the corner of the racket. Make sure to keep your eyes on the ball as you hit it.

The Follow-Through

Lastly, do not forget about the follow-through. After hitting the ball, follow through with the racket, ending with it pointing towards the ground behind you. Doing so allows for a smoother and controlled swing that will help you hit the ball with power and accuracy.

Conclusion

With these steps in mind, you can start practicing and perfecting your serve. In addition, communication with your partner is essential to succeed as a doubles padel team. By continually improving your serve and communicating effectively in padel doubles, you and your partner will be unstoppable on the padel court. Get out there and start practicing and dominating in padel – one serve at a time!