The point starts before you hit the serve
Most players step up to serve and think about one thing.
Getting the ball in.
That’s it.
No plan. No intention. No awareness of what comes next.
Then the return comes back deep, they get pushed off position, and suddenly they’re defending instead of attacking.
And they wonder why their serve “isn’t working.”
The truth is simple.
The serve isn’t where the point starts.
What you do before the serve is.
This is a key part of effective padel strategy that most players completely overlook.
Why the serve is not about winning the point
In padel, the serve is not a weapon.
It’s a positioning tool.
Your goal is not to ace your opponent. It’s to get to the net in control and start building the point from there.
Good players understand this.
Great players prepare for it before they even bounce the ball.
The 3 things every good padel player does before serving
These aren’t technical adjustments.
They’re habits.
And once you build them, your serve becomes consistent, predictable in a good way, and much harder to attack.
1. They decide the serve before they hit it
Most players decide mid-motion.
That’s why their serves float, drift, or land short.
Good players are clear before they start.
They know:
- Where they’re serving
- Why they’re serving there
- What response they expect
For example:
Serving wide to pull the returner off court
Serving into the body to jam them
Serving safe to the backhand to avoid risk
This clarity removes hesitation.
And hesitation is what kills consistency.
2. They visualise the next two shots
This is the biggest difference.
Average players think about the serve.
Good players think about the serve plus one and serve plus two.
Before serving, they already know:
- Where they’re moving after contact
- What ball they’re expecting back
- What their first volley will be
So instead of reacting, they’re already in position.
If you serve wide, you should already expect a cross-court return.
If you serve into the body, you should expect a shorter, more central ball.
This anticipation is what gives you control of the net.
If you struggle to hold that position, it’s worth understanding why you keep losing the net in padel and what’s actually going wrong.
3. They commit to getting forward immediately
This sounds obvious, but most players hesitate.
They watch their serve.
They admire it.
They wait to see what happens.
And in that moment, they lose the net.
Good players don’t wait.
They serve and move.
Every time.
Because they understand the real objective of the serve is to take position, not to win the point outright.
The hidden mistake most players make
They treat every serve the same.
No variation. No intention. No adjustment.
But your serve should change depending on:
- Your opponent’s weaknesses
- The score
- Your confidence level
At 30-40, you might play safer.
At 40-0, you might take more risk.
Good players adapt.
Average players repeat.
Build a simple pre-serve routine
You don’t need anything complicated.
Just a consistent sequence:
Pick your target
Visualise the return
Commit to moving forward
Do it every time.
This creates rhythm, clarity, and confidence.
And over time, your serve stops feeling like a coin flip.
Why this changes everything
When you start points with intention, everything slows down.
You’re not reacting anymore.
You’re dictating.
Your positioning improves. Your volleys get easier. Your decision making becomes clearer.
All from what happens before the serve.
If you want to take this further, it’s worth learning how to control the tempo of a padel match instead of reacting to it.
Key Takeaways
- The serve in padel is a setup tool, not a weapon
- Good players decide their serve before they hit it
- Visualising the next two shots creates immediate control
- Moving forward after the serve is non-negotiable
- A simple routine builds consistency and confidence
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best serve strategy in padel?
The best strategy is to serve with intention, aiming to gain net position and control the point rather than trying to win outright.
Should I always rush the net after serving?
Yes. In most situations, moving forward immediately is essential to gain the advantage in the rally.
Where should I aim my serve in padel?
Common targets include wide serves to open the court, body serves to jam the opponent, and backhand serves for consistency.
How can I make my serve more consistent?
Use a pre-serve routine, decide your target early, and avoid changing your motion mid-serve.
Is the serve important in padel?
Yes, but not as a winning shot. Its main role is to help you gain position and start the point on your terms.
Start treating your serve differently
Next time you step up to serve, don’t rush it.
Take a second.
Decide. Visualise. Commit.
Because the players who control the point aren’t doing anything special after the serve.
They’ve already done the work before it.