Get The Perfect Padel Return Every Time!

The padel return is a crucial part of the game and an area that so many recreational players struggle with.
We know players would find this shot so much easier with a few simple tips!!
The return is such an important part of the game that we have a dedicated course on our platform - we are even doing a free trial now, so you can check it out for FREE: www.thepadelschool.com
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0:00 Intro
0:21 Who is the BEST Returner?
0:32 PRO Players Hit Winning Returns?
0:51 Consistency
1:03 Target Areas
1:23 Height of Return
1:53 The Lob as an Example
2:20 Shot Fixer
2:33 Court Position
3:14 One Step
3:33 Struggles or Tips

[@joesepu]

As a returner, specially at low level, players will probably be faced with with fast servers, and those servers do it because it works for them. At higher level, a fast serve is great to get because you can use the glass and take advantage of that speed. Regardless of the speed, a short preparation always works. that compound with good foot work will make a good returner. If you can punish an opponent from the return, that sets you up for a ball that can gain you the net. Don't try a winner, just try to get an easy next ball to gain the next. Padel is all about preparing the point for the next shot so you can get a winner or a mistake from your opponent. Great job Sandy! Keep it up! Can't wait for your next video!

[@ThePadelSchool]

thanks for sharing this!!

[@66gattaca]

This is such good advice, particularly the suggestion re standing a little further back and slightly more central. If I see an opponent standing virtually on the service line or with their shoulder almost at the sidewall, I can be pretty sure they are not going to return my serve if I just put it tightly into the corner by the glass. You need to give yourself room and time…and also to guard against a cheeky serve down the centre line!

[@ThePadelSchool]

thanks for sharing 👍 glad the video helped you

[@JanEerdekens]

After our Spanish padel trainer told me I was too predictable with mostly lob returns he told me to always try and play my returns to the feet of the serving player that is coming to the net. Once I started doing that, together with some of the things you mention here, my returns improved immensely. My returns now even are winners sometimes without me playing them as a winner because the serving player tries to do too much on a ball that is dipping below the net. Now I usually only play a lob if the server's partner is too close to the net during the serve and when it is a difficult serve through the middle that I need to gain time on to recover my position.

[@ThePadelSchool]

great to hear this! thanks for sharing your journey, sure it will be beneficial for other members to read 👍

[@Lay...]

I started padel 7 weeks ago. The thing I was struggling with was a good quality return (from backhand side) when the serves are fast or have lots of slice. I saw huge improvement with the return when my coach told me to turn my toes towards the server more (face him) and stand more close to the corner (like in your video). That way you can judge if the ball isnt going to hit the first panel of glass and you can lunge at it easier if you want to take it early. Other tips I would give are if you are playing backhand side, turn your body straight away to the correct side when its coming at you and then practice stepping with your left leg first (if its going off the glass), and then your right. You dont always have to step first with your right leg.

[@ThePadelSchool]

thanks for your insights and feedback here 🙌

[@Korkzorz]

I've been having so many problems with this. I tried all these tips today and it did wonders. Especially the part about starting further back to step in to the ball Thank you so much

[@ThePadelSchool]

amazing! so glad to hear this.

[@Larsen__]

My biggest challenge is consistently getting the left side backhand return in where it is not too high over the net. 1/6 of my returns go into the net. Stupid freebies to give away

[@ThePadelSchool]

keep it up!

[@nandkuj]

My are the ones of the glass or very deep so your tip about the positioning could help, thanks

[@ThePadelSchool]

glad this helped!

[@martinsbng]

i know they have to land before the service line so I always stand right at the line and ready to block the ball the moment it bounce up - not letting the ball touches the glass. I almost 90% of the time lob it to the back court to the server as well. Comments?

[@tonloc8]

I find when a server puts a lot of slice into the glass, visualizing my racket as the ‘new’ wall for the ball can often provide a solid return. While it is not as low to the net, it is a decent low lob that makes the serving team either have to move back or try and stop the ball with a mediocre return. I don’t know if that actually makes sense.

[@ThePadelSchool]

interesting feedback here. I think this will be helpful for other community members, thank you!

[@ThePadelSchool]

things like this would be great to share in the community area on our new platform. if you haven't tried already we have a 7 day free trial!

[@sanekn]

Struggle with tennisman's serves, the guy serves consistently at the glass, the ball is fast and low and dies at the glass. The lob is out of question for me as return but sometimes I manage to return straight. Sad times :D

[@ThePadelSchool]

it can be super hard working with tennis players! keep it up

[@robban1987]

I have the same struggles. Gave away several points to this last match :(

[@sanekn]

@@robban1987 Feel y'a man, just got home from the match and the guy destroyed us haha

[@jsp2866]

Low fast returns have been a struggle for me. Any advice would be appreciated

[@ThePadelSchool]

this might help pulse.ly/ypp4zt299g

[@EverRider]

I try to always get the ball IN, but also with a lob. Against a good serve it often results in a bad short lob and then you re pretty dead. A low fast return is surely less risky in the end cuz a voley never gonna destroy you as an easy smash. So… low and fast return then wait for the easy ball for a long high lob to retake the net 🤷‍♂️

[@ThePadelSchool]

thanks for sharing!

[@beachabcd]

Feel free to ask, how I do 10 at least return winners per set...!!!!

[@barend8485]

Any recommendations for a padel camp in spain / Barcelona?

[@ThePadelSchool]

we are doing on at la manga in september! pulse.ly/7mycadzlze

[@robban1987]

I really struggle with returning when playing forehand and facing opponents who are very good and consistent with playing the serve close to the service line and glass, with a lot of spin. I have no time to catch it before the glass and very little space to hit the ball it bounces of the side glass. What do you do with that? :S

[@AP-kl3qe]

This is exactly what I struggle with. Except also in backhand side. The fast low balls close to the line and the glass

[@ThePadelSchool]

sounds like you need an earlier shot preparation! let us know how you get on both of you

[@ThePadelSchool]

we have lots more tips and support from coaches on our new platform with a 7-day free trial if you want to learn more!

[@alexanderravn]

What do you guys think about the VIDAR VANTAGE PRO S - 2023?

[@ThePadelSchool]

not tried that yet, will add to the list!

[@philippephb3157]

très clair as usual

[@ThePadelSchool]

glad you enjoyed!

[@IamRayz]

I also never see pros hitting a good serve, they always just put the first in play. In lower levels of padel a lot more people really go after their first serves, high speed super spinny serves. I actually believe it is easier to play return on top players serves than to play return on alot of amateus matches :)

[@ThePadelSchool]

thanks for your insights and feedback here 🙌

[@guillaumemaarek8507]

If the serve is good, don’t try to go for a chiquita or a lob. Instead, try to go for a fast shot.

[@ThePadelSchool]

thanks for your insights and feedback here 🙌