Serve and volley tactics: net positioning

What this lesson covers

The primary objective in padel is to secure the net position. Serving and moving forward to the net forces opponents to stay at the back of the court. Remaining at the back after a serve allows opponents to take the net, leaving both partners in a defensive position. A gap in the middle of the court emerges when the server stays back, forcing the partner to retreat and defend.

Common errors include failing to move all the way up to the net position after the serve, which leaves the server vulnerable to balls at their feet. Poor serve accuracy also creates difficult first volleys. If an opponent does not serve and volley, the returner should hit the ball to the server at the back of the court. This allows the returner and their partner to move forward and take the net position themselves.