In padel, the serving pair starts with the advantage. The server can follow the serve to the net, and the returner has to deal with a ball that may come off the side glass low and with slice. A good return does not need to win the point. It needs to stop the serving team from taking control. This guide covers the starting position, the two ways to play a serve that reaches the glass, and the safest targets. For the rules of the serve itself, see our padel serve rules.
Where to stand
Start about one to one and a half meters in front of the back glass, in line with your service box and shifted slightly toward the side glass. That is the position SCUD recommends. Too close to the glass and you have no room to play a ball that comes off it. Too far forward and a fast serve down the middle gets past you.
Your ready position matters as much as your spot:
- Knees bent and weight on the balls of your feet
- Racket in front of you, with a continental grip
- A small split step as the server makes contact
Padelverse describes the defensive ready position the same way: knees bent, racket central, a stance slightly wider than your shoulders.
Before the glass or after it?
Most serves are aimed at the side glass, so you have two options.
Take it before the glass. Playing the ball just after the bounce rushes the server, who has not finished moving forward. SCUD suggests this for short serves, flat serves and serves to the middle. The risk is a low, sliced serve that forces you to lift the ball, which hands the server an easy volley.
Let it come off the glass. When a sharp serve pushes you toward the glass, Padelguru suggests letting the ball hit the glass and using the rebound to set up your shot. Its tips:
- Pivot on your outside leg to adjust to the ball instead of stepping into the glass.
- Stay low in your ready position, because servers often use slice and the ball stays low.
- Do not try to add power. The serve already has pace, so keep the racket central and low, with knees bent, and redirect it.
Our guide to padel wall rules covers the rules of playing off the walls.
Where to aim
You want the server to hit their first volley from low or from a bad position.
- At the server's feet. A low return forces an upward volley that is easier to attack. Padelguru notes that this forces the server to volley from a low position, which makes the next shot less aggressive.
- Crosscourt, low. The diagonal is the longest path and travels over the lowest part of the net.
- A lob, when you have time. If you make clean contact and the net player is close, a high, deep lob can push both opponents back. Only play it when you are balanced.
Avoid the net player's side with a medium height ball. That is the easiest volley in padel.
Common mistakes
- Standing too close to the service line. You end up with no time on fast serves.
- Stepping into the glass. You jam yourself and cannot swing.
- Late preparation. Most missed returns come from waiting to see the bounce before moving the racket.
- Trying to hit a winner. The return is about neutralizing, not ending the point.
A return drill
- One player serves from the usual position, alternating serves to the side glass and to the middle.
- The returner plays ten balls, aiming low at the server's feet.
- Next round, the returner lets every glass serve rebound and focuses on space and a low racket.
- Last round, the server follows the serve to the net and plays the point out.
Gear that helps
On the return you often hit low, sliced balls off the glass, so a forgiving racket helps. Our racket guide explains balance and shape, and the Mint padel rackets list the core and face for each model. The Merveille is listed as a teardrop racket with a 12K carbon face and medium-density EVA core, built for control, according to its product page. Fresh balls behave more predictably off the glass; see how long padel balls last.
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