Return of serve: handling spin and speed
Key takeaway from our Guru
How do I return difficult serves off the side glass?
Prioritize consistency by getting the ball back into play rather than forcing a winner. Keep your racket prepared before the ball bounces so you can focus on adjusting your distance from the glass.
What this lesson covers
The primary objective of the return is consistency rather than hitting a winner. Players should aim to get the ball back into the server's feet or at an angle, avoiding high-risk shots against the side glass. A correct ready position involves standing one small step back from the glass, facing the server rather than the side wall, which provides enough space to swing. When a ball hits the front part of the glass, allow it to rebound and come away before making contact to ensure a controlled return.
Dealing with side spin from a right-hander requires giving the ball more space, as the rotation causes it to bounce away from the glass and toward the center. Conversely, slice keeps the ball low, necessitating a position closer to the glass to pick it up. For left-handed serves or backhand serves from a right-hander, the ball tends to hug the side glass, requiring a slight adjustment to stand closer. Regardless of spin or speed, the racket must be prepared before the ball bounces. Early preparation is the key to managing fast serves, as it allows the player to focus on judging the distance rather than rushing the swing.
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Original video
Added on Apr 2, 2026
How to Return 5 TOUGH SERVES! | ThePadelSchool.com
Description
Each month on our platform; www.thepadelschool.com, we challenge our members in order to improve their game. This months challenge is around the return from the left hand side and when we asked our members on what they struggle with the most, this is the answers we got; - How to deal with SIDE SPIN, - How to deal with SLICE, - How to deal with a LEFTIE SERVE, - How to deal with a BACKHAND SERVE from a right hander, - What to do when returning a FAST SERVE. In this video, we're going to go through each and every one of the top mentioned struggles and give you our best tips in order for you to master the return game! Do you want to be a part of our monthly challenges? ā We now have a *7-DAY FREE TRIAL* on our online platform with a bunch of exclusive content! *SIGN UP NOW* and don't miss out on this limited opportunity to IMPROVE YOUR GAME! š» Website: https://www.thepadelschool.com š Check out our podcast episodes at: https://podcast.thepadelschool.com š Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepadelschool š Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepadelschool š TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepadelschool *Chapters* 00:00 Intro 00:21 Objective of the Serve 01:19 Correct Ready Position 02:11 Off the Side Glass 03:01 Side Spin 04:01 The Slice 05:37 Leftie / Backhand Serve 06:49 Advantage as a Returner 08:39 The Speed #padelgame #padel #padelpractice #padeltechnique #padeltraining #padelskills #padeltennis #padeltips *Disclaimer:* We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage which is incurred by you acting or not acting as a result of listening to any of our publications. For all videos on my channel: This information is for general & educational purposes only. Always consult with an attorney, CPA, or financial professional for advice based on your specific situation. *Copyright Disclaimer:* Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favour of fair use Ā© The Padel School
Good for
Skill level
Beginner, Intermediate, High Intermediate
Court position
Backcourt
Play style
Tactical
Secondary shot
Slice
Keywords
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