Return technique: positioning and shot selection
Key takeaway from our Guru
How do you return serve like a pro?
Prepare your racket early and low to camouflage your shot. Stand your ground behind the service line and prioritize playing the ball toward the opponent's backhand to limit their angles.
What this lesson covers
Effective returns rely on early, low racket preparation to handle slice serves and allow for both flat shots and lobs. Standing a big step behind the service line provides extra time to manage body serves and utilize the side glass. When the serve is slow or bouncy, a lob helps take over the net. If the serve is fast, a flat return directed at the opponent's feet or body is safer to keep the point neutral.
Footwork choices depend on the desired recovery speed. An open stance allows for a faster return to the corner, while a closed stance with the front foot aiming toward the net offers more control but requires more time to recover. To avoid giving the net player an easy angle, aim returns toward the opponent's backhand or down the line if the net player is poaching frequently. Using the glass provides more time and options, especially when the ball is close to the fence. The primary goal is to start the point reliably rather than hitting a winner.
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Original video
Added on Apr 2, 2026
How To Return Like A Pro #PadelTips
Description
Please subscribe and hit the notification bell, let's get 60K subscribers this year! Ladies and Gentlemen! Today! The Return! With Miquel, he is back. The return is very important but also very underrated in my opinion. A good return will break your opponent (literally) ~ Visit my online padel shop. Go to www.racketteam.com ~ With the official Peakz Padel app you can easily book a court at a Peakz Padel location near you! ~ Would you like to learn more? Become a Otro Nivel channel member or special member, support us and become better! 👊🏼 Click & join ➠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrMuJTshdLiaUmbYJy8lSkA/join ~ Also find us on: Our Facebook group ➠https://www.facebook.com/groups/padeltips Our Facebook page ➠https://www.facebook.com/otronivelpadel 👊🏼 Become a supporter ➠https://www.facebook.com/becomesupporter/0tronivel ~ Our instagram page ➠https://www.instagram.com/0tronivel/ Sven's instagram page ➠https://www.instagram.com/svenboele/ Sven's tiktok➠ https://vm.tiktok.com/ZScj6vNr/
Good for
Skill level
Intermediate, High Intermediate, Advanced, High Advanced
Court position
Service line, Backcourt
Play style
Tactical
Secondary shot
Lob
Keywords
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