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Serve and first volley: build a better start to the point

Your serve goes in, you move forward and the return lands at your feet. Sound familiar? Practise the serve, approach and first volley as one sequence. You will learn when the ball invites pressure and when it calls for control.

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Your on-court focus

Place the serve, keep your racket ready as you move in and adapt the first volley to the return. You do not need to win the point straight away.

Placement
choose a generous target
Ready
as you move forward
3 shots
one sequence

Give yourself a point to build

The serve and first volley should leave you ready to play the next ball. An ace feels good, but a controlled start gives you something to build on much more often.

This page focuses on the sequence. See the rules guide for service requirements; practice targets do not replace the normal diagonal service box.

Find your service targets

Choose two generous areas inside the correct service box: one towards the middle and one towards the side glass. Serve five balls to each. Your partner lets each serve bounce and returns with control, then you stop.

Record legal serves separately from target hits. Swap after ten attempts and later practise from the other side. Add pace only once you can repeat the placement.

Move in without running past the return

Follow your serve forward with the racket ready in front of you. As your opponent returns, shorten your steps and find a balanced position from which you can react in different directions.

How far you get depends partly on the pace of the serve and return. A lob needs a different response from a ball at your feet. Avoid charging blindly towards a fixed spot at net.

Let the contact height guide the volley

A low, difficult return often calls for a controlled shot towards a big target. Allow clearance over the net rather than forcing a flat winner while still moving.

With a higher, comfortable ball, you can apply more pressure. After your shot, check your position too: are you ready for the next reply?

Drill: ten complete starts

With two players, play the serve, return and server’s next shot, then stop. Begin with controlled returns that allow a first volley. Over ten attempts, count legal serves and controlled volleys separately. Then swap.

Next, let the returner vary the shot, including lobs; do not force a volley when it no longer fits. With four players, finish each point and swap the serving pair after six starts. The sequence now includes a real decision.

From serve to the next shot

Start with placement, then practise the sequence. Both panels show service from the same side; the zones are practice targets.

  • A–D: players
  • Ball path
  • Player movement
  • Target area
  • Outline: possible next position

Two targets in the diagonal service box

A serves from behind the service line. The arrows are alternative serves, not two balls played together.

Two targets in the diagonal service boxA serves from behind the service line. The arrows are alternative serves, not two balls played together. Bounce the ball and strike at or below waist height. Keep your feet behind the service line on the correct side when serving. Serve five towards the middle and five towards the side wall. Both targets sit inside the diagonal service box. B lets each legal serve bounce and returns with control. Stop, count legal serves separately from target hits and swap after ten attempts. Top view: arrows show direction, not ball height or speed. Positions and target areas are examples; adapt them to the ball and your level.
  1. Bounce the ball and strike at or below waist height. Keep your feet behind the service line on the correct side when serving.
  2. Serve five towards the middle and five towards the side wall. Both targets sit inside the diagonal service box.
  3. B lets each legal serve bounce and returns with control. Stop, count legal serves separately from target hits and swap after ten attempts.

Serve, return, first volley

A serves and moves forward. B starts with a controlled return that A can volley.

Serve, return, first volleyA serves and moves forward. B starts with a controlled return that A can volley. 1: The serve bounces in the diagonal box. 2: B returns. 3: A plays the first volley. As B returns, A shortens the steps and gets ready. The contact shown is an example, not a fixed destination. Stop after the third shot and swap after ten starts. Later, B may lob too: do not force a volley then. Top view: arrows show direction, not ball height or speed. Positions and target areas are examples; adapt them to the ball and your level.
  1. 1: The serve bounces in the diagonal box. 2: B returns. 3: A plays the first volley.
  2. As B returns, A shortens the steps and gets ready. The contact shown is an example, not a fixed destination.
  3. Stop after the third shot and swap after ten starts. Later, B may lob too: do not force a volley then.

Top view: arrows show direction, not ball height or speed. Positions and target areas are examples; adapt them to the ball and your level.

Try it on court

Ready for your next rally? Find a club in Austria and take one idea from this guide onto the court.

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About these tips and sources

This guide draws on the sources linked below. The relevant federation’s rulebook is the authority for official rules.

The drills are our own practice suggestions. Adapt the timing, scoring and difficulty to your level; a coaching session can provide individual feedback.

The date below records the latest editorial review. Figures and offers retain the dates stated alongside them.

View the sources used

Further reading and practice

The coaching resources below offer background and further ideas. The drill sequences, repetition counts and scoring here are our own suggestions; adapt them to your level.

  1. The Padel School: first volley
  2. The Padel School: return decisions
Editorially reviewed on 14 October 2026

Padel knowledge

The padel return: start the rally, even off the glassA tricky serve into the side glass can make a point feel over before it begins. Early preparation and a little focused practice give you more ways to return with control—and give your pair a chance to build the rally.Padel volleys: technique, shot choices and three drillsEnjoy your time at the net. Learn when to use a forehand, backhand, block, slice or drop volley, then try three drills with court diagrams to build control and create the next opening for your pair.The padel split-step: timing your move to the netA good lob creates space, but when should you move in? Learn to read the opening, time your split-step and control the first volley. Three drills help you turn that chance into a coordinated move to the net.Padel rules: serve, walls and scoring in two minutes.Can you volley the ball? When is the glass in play, and when do you repeat a serve? These essentials will help you start a match and settle the questions that come up on court.