Basic Skills (Serve)

 Serve

We started with its basic rule:

·      The server will bounce the ball on the ground behind the baseline.

·      At the moment of impact you can not hit the ball above the waist or on the move.

·      You must serve behind the service line without touching the line or inside the box and the ball must bounce in the box bounded on the opposite side.

Preparation

·      We must place ourselves side ways respect to the service line.

·      We get the paddle ready back and up, placing the face of the paddle a little bit open to be able to put some slice on the ball.

·      Extend the hand that holds the ball at the shoulder height.

·      Later with the hand fully extended and holding the ball, we will drop the ball smoothly. The bounce of the ball will be slightly to the right and in front of the body.

Impact

·      After the bounce of the ball, we will hit it at the time when is in its higher point, without exceeding the waist. The moment of impact is in front of your body and in your right side.

·      You must hit the ball slicing the ball or hitting the ball high to low. With this effect we are trying to get a more difficult rebound for the opponent.

 Direction and Termination

·      With the same goal of trying to get a difficult returning of the ball, we will try to put the ball as close to the wall as possible.

·      The termination must be with the paddle pointing higher.

Tips

·      Its good to drive the ball down the line or to the body of the opponent at least occasionally that way you can surprise the opponent.

·      Its also important to emphasize with the slice instead of using power. Serve is a stroke where you need to be more accurate.

·      The most important thing when you serve is not to rush and be ready ahead of time.

 by JuanRa F Lastra 2013 (c) California Padel Association