Padel Return Strategies: How Should You Meet the Serve?

The padel returnis your first reply to the opponent's serve and a critical shot that determines who holds the initiative from the very first moment of the match. Although the serve in padel is not as dominant a weapon as in tennis, a good return still directly affects the flow of the game.

In this article we cover basic return strategies such as the deep lob, hitting at the feet and the chiquita, when you should choose them, and how you can improve your return on the courts at Beytepe.

Why isn't the return in padel as aggressive as in tennis?

Because the padel serve is generally hit underhand and in a controlled way, it doesn't arrive at very high speeds as in tennis. This makes the return less a shot that wins the point outright than one that starts to build the game. When receiving the opponent's serve, your aim is generally to produce a safe and strategic ball and, if possible, to stop the opponent from moving up to the net comfortably.

This approach can be a relief for beginners: instead of trying a risky shot on the return, focusing on producing a controlled, purposeful ball both reduces your error rate and keeps control of the game in your hands.

The deep lob return: a time-buying strategy

The deep lob return means sending the ball, after receiving the serve, to the back of the opponent's court, ideally to an area close to the back glass. This strategy delays the server's advance to the net and buys you time to take position. It is quite effective, especially against opponents who rush to the net after serving, because the opponent has to turn back to meet the lob.

This type of return requires applying the basic principles of the padel lob at the moment of the return; for detailed information about lob technique, to our padel lob article .

Hitting at the feet: pressuring the opponent at the net

When the server is moving up to the net, sending the ball straight at their feet is a very effective return strategy. This shot requires the opponent to prepare the racket at a low angle and usually causes them to produce a weak, high ball; this gives you the advantage at the net. Hitting at the feet is a deliberate tactic used to discourage an opponent who has a habit of moving quickly to the net.

The chiquita: a soft, controlled alternative

The chiquita is dropping the ball with a low, soft shot just in front of the opponent's feet, at a point close to the net. This shot makes it hard for the opponent to lift the ball high as they move up to the net and gives you a chance to move up to the net too. The chiquita is a shot that needs precision, not power; the racket needs to guide the ball with a steady face, not with wrist movement.

These three strategies (deep lob, hitting at the feet, chiquita) should be seen not as alternatives to each other but as tools suited to different scenarios.

Which return strategy to choose when

Serve situation	Recommended return
Opponent rushing to the net	Delay with a deep lob
Opponent close to the net, exposed	Try hitting at the feet
Opponent moving up to the net slowly	Force the position with a chiquita
The serve came weak and high	Build an advantage with a controlled flat shot

Positioning after the return

The return is not a stroke on its own but a gateway to the rest of the match. Starting to move towards the net right after hitting the return is the most effective way to balance the server's advantage. Standing still after the return means handing over to the opponent entirely the initiative they built after the serve.

Common mistakes when practising the return

• Always trying to hit hard: On the return the aim is usually not power but correct direction.
• Ignoring the opponent's position: Whether the opponent is moving up to the net or staying at the back should determine your return strategy.
• Standing still after the return: Neglecting to move up to the net wastes the advantage you've gained.

Return responsibility in doubles

In doubles there should be clear coordination between the player returning and their partner. While the returner moves up to the net, the partner taking position at the same time lets the pair form a symmetrical line at the net. This coordination develops by playing regularly with the same partner; Beytepe Padel League seasonal events like this are a good opportunity to develop this chemistry.

Understanding the serve technique improves your return

To hit a good return, it also helps to understand the opponent's serve technique; knowing where and at what angle the serve is hit lets you predict the ball's direction of arrival earlier. For basic information on serve techniques, to our how to serve in padel article .

Improving your return at Beytepe

On our indoor padel courts in Beytepe, by training regularly you can practise the return against different types of serve. In one-to-one or group lessons the instructor deliberately serves at different speeds and angles, giving you the chance to practise all three return strategies (deep lob, hitting at the feet, chiquita).

If you want to try the strategies you've learned in a real competitive setting, our monthly Americano tournaments offers a suitable setting for playing against opponents with different serving styles.

Integrating the return into the whole match

The return is not an isolated stroke but the first step that determines the rest of the match's flow. A point that starts with a good return usually gives you net advantage and initiative. By training regularly on the courts at Beytepe you can strengthen this first step and always make a strong start to a match. To get started, reach us on our WhatsApp line you can request a trial lesson.

Footwork and ready position in the return

A good return begins with the ready position taken before the serve is hit. A player with weight evenly distributed on both feet, slightly crouched and holding the racket at chest height can move quickly according to the direction of the serve. A position shifted too far forward or too far back before the serve makes it hard to react at the same speed on both the forehand and backhand side.

When the serve comes, the first step should be not towards the ball but a small adjustment step perpendicular to the ball's line of arrival. This small step lets the racket meet the ball at the right angle and directly improves return quality. The firm, non-slip floor of the indoor courts at Beytepe offers a suitable setting for taking these adjusting steps with confidence.

Adjusting the return to serve types

The opponent doesn't always serve the same type; some players prefer short, low serves while others use deep, sliced serves. Against short serves you may need to step forward and meet the ball early, and against deep serves to back off and buy time. Noticing this difference early lets you produce a prepared return against both types of serve.

The opponent's serve pattern usually becomes clear within a few points; an attentive player can notice this pattern and adjust their return strategy accordingly. Observational skills like this develop naturally as match experience grows.

Mental preparation in the return: patience and focus

Because the return is one of the first strokes of a match, it sometimes creates more pressure on players than necessary. This pressure can lead to rushed, uncontrolled shots. Taking a deep breath when the serve comes and sticking to the strategy you decided beforehand (deep lob, hitting at the feet or chiquita) is the most effective way to manage this pressure. Seeing “every ball not as an opportunity but as a task” on the return significantly reduces the error rate.

Testing return skill in a tournament

Trying the return strategies you've developed in training in a real match setting reinforces your learning. Beytepe Padel League in seasonal events like this, facing opponents with different serving styles lets you test your return across a wide range. The pressure of the tournament setting shows clearly whether you've really internalised the technique you learned in training.

Prioritising the return for beginners

In teaching the return to players new to padel, the priority is generally first to keep the ball safely in court; strategies like the deep lob and hitting at the feet are introduced later, once basic racket control is settled. This gradual approach lets the student gain confidence without fear of making mistakes at an early stage. Preparing for your first padel lesson at this stage, talking to your instructor about this gradual teaching order for the return helps you set your expectations right.

Return and match statistics: what to track?

Advanced players start to track which return strategy wins them the most points; for example, a player may win most points after a deep lob return but be less successful after hitting at the feet. Noticing personal statistics like this gives valuable feedback on which strategy you should trust more. On this, video analysis methods in our padel match analysis article are covered in detail.

Thinking of the return as a system

In conclusion, a good return is not a single perfect stroke but a decision system that can quickly make the right call depending on the serve situation. When you develop this system through regular training on the courts at Beytepe, you become a player who always makes a strong, controlled start to a match.

The effect of equipment on return performance

The racket's weight and balance point affect your ability to react quickly on the return; lighter, balanced rackets make it easier to get the racket ready quickly when the serve comes. For beginners, trying a balanced rental racket from the club is a good start so you don't have unnecessary difficulty while settling your return technique. Ball pressure matters similarly; a ball that has lost pressure won't arrive at the expected speed after the serve, which can spoil your return timing.

Including the return in your lesson plan

The return is a topic often neglected in training because players usually focus on more “flashy” strokes such as net play or the smash. Yet at least half of every set in a match starts with a return; so consciously asking your instructor for return work in your regular lessons lets you close a development area that is overlooked but has a big effect. Approached with this awareness, the return stops being the most ordinary moment of the match and becomes one of its most valuable opportunities. If you want to work on this with our instructors at Beytepe, it will be enough to state the return as a priority in your trial lesson. That way you become a player who always makes a controlled, strong start to the match and keeps the initiative. This small but consistent investment turns into a habit that directly affects your match-winning rate in the long run.

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