Returning serves off the side glass
Key takeaway from our Guru
How do you return a serve that hits the side glass?
Give yourself space from the glass so you have room to swing. Use a short, compact takeback and aim for a simple target back to the server to neutralize the point.
What this lesson covers
Handling a serve that hits the side glass requires maintaining enough distance from the wall to allow space for a full swing. Rushing toward the glass leads to cramped contact and weak pushes. Instead, wait for the ball to rebound away from the wall to create a clean path for the racket.
Technically, use a short, compact takeback to avoid timing issues. On the forehand, drop the racket head low to scoop underneath the ball, especially when dealing with heavy slice. On the backhand, maintain a semi-open stance to avoid twisting the body and use the non-dominant hand to prime the swing like a slingshot. Aiming the return simply back to the server is enough to neutralize the point and reduce risk.
Practice is the only way to overcome the instinct to panic when the ball hits the glass. Setting up repetitions with a partner or ball machine helps players learn the trajectory of the rebound. This skill is most beneficial for intermediate and advanced players looking to stabilize their defensive game.
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Original video
Added on Apr 2, 2026
How Pros Return Hard Serves (And You Can Too)
Description
Struggling to handle HARD SERVES in padel? We’ll show you the SECRETS TO RETURNING HARD SERVES so you can stay in control - even when your opponent’s serve hits the glass. We’ll go through: ✅ How to position yourself correctly off the glass ✅ The best swing technique for a clean, consistent return ✅ A simple target strategy that keeps you in the rally By the end, you’ll know how to read the serve, stay calm under pressure, and make confident returns. If you’re new to The Padel School, welcome. We’re Sandy and Tom Farquharson - two brothers and the founders of this platform. Our mission? To give every padel player the best coaching advice possible so you can unlock your full potential on the court. Here’s why we care so much about this… We grew up in tennis, competing from juniors all the way to the pro level. And honestly? It was frustrating. No matter how hard we worked, it was nearly impossible to get the high-quality coaching we needed to reach our full potential. When we discovered padel over a decade ago, we fell in love with the sport instantly. But guess what? The coaching situation was even worse. Getting solid advice in English? Forget it. That’s when we decided enough was enough. As we played on the pro padel circuit and started coaching players across the globe, we realised no player should have to struggle to find clear, actionable guidance – in any sport. Every player deserves access to the knowledge they need to grow, improve, and play the game at their highest level. So we built The Padel School. It’s where we share everything we’ve learned on and off the court. Whether you’re a total beginner or chasing a competitive edge, we’re here to make sure you get the coaching we wish we’d had. To all the padel warriors out there: the road to improvement isn’t easy, but that’s what makes it rewarding. Keep grinding, keep learning, and remember – every point is a new opportunity to get better. A great way to learn from the pros is to watch the Qatar Airways Premier Padel on the Red Bull TV app https://www.redbulltv.com - it is free and you get to watch the best players in the world! EXPLORE OUR OFFERS The Padel School Membership (with FREE Trial): https://thepadelschool.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=longform_110425_HOW_Do_the_PROs_Hit_Such_COMPACT_and_POWERFUL_VOLLEYS Access 75+ Drills for Every Level: TPS Drill Book For Players: https://thepadelschool.com/drill-book?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=longform_110425_HOW_Do_the_PROs_Hit_Such_COMPACT_and_POWERFUL_VOLLEYS Our BOOK - The Padel Player's Guide: https://thepadelschool.com/the-padel-players-guide?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=longform_110425_HOW_Do_the_PROs_Hit_Such_COMPACT_and_POWERFUL_VOLLEYS Win Matches with a Stronger Mindset: Get our Mental Toughness Course: https://thepadelschool.com/mental-toughness-course?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=longform_110425_HOW_Do_the_PROs_Hit_Such_COMPACT_and_POWERFUL_VOLLEYS FREE Equipment Guide: https://improve.thepadelschool.com/equipment-guide FREE Padel Assessment for YOUR game: https://improve.thepadelschool.com/padel-assessment YouTube - https://youtube.com/thepadelschool Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thepadelschool Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thepadelschool Want to join us on court? https://thepadelschool.com/events Read our blogs - https://thepadelschool.com/blog/ 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more padel tips and match strategies every week! #Padel #PadelTips #PadelStrategy
Good for
Skill level
Court position
Both sides, Corner
Play style
Defensive
Secondary shot
Backhand
Keywords
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