Return of Serve (Resto)

The return of serve (resto in Spanish) might be the most underrated shot in padel. Everyone practices their smash. Everyone works on their bandeja. But the return? It's the shot that determines whether you start the point on your terms or immediately scrambling. Get it right and you're at the net dictating play. Get it wrong and you're eating smashes for the rest of the game.

What Is the Return of Serve?

The return is simply the shot you play in response to your opponent's serve. It must be played after the ball bounces once in the service box (you can't volley a serve in padel). While that sounds basic, the return is a crossroads moment: it's your first and sometimes only chance to take the net position away from the serving team. In padel, the team at the net wins most points, and the serving team gets there first by default. Your return needs to change that equation.

Technique and Execution

The return comes in several flavors, and which one you choose depends on the serve and the situation:

The Chiquita Return

The gold standard at intermediate-to-advanced levels. A soft, controlled shot aimed at the feet of the incoming server. The ball should bounce low in the no-man's land area, forcing the server to volley upward and giving you time to advance to the net.

• Grip: Continental
• Swing: Short, compact, almost a block with a slight downward angle
• Target: The server's feet as they approach the net
• Key: Keep it low. A chiquita that floats above the net becomes an easy volley

The Lob Return

The safest option and the go-to for beginners. Send the ball high and deep over the net players, ideally landing near the back glass. This resets the point and gives your team time to organize.

• Height: Clear the net players by at least a meter — don't give them a smash
• Depth: The deeper the better. A short lob is worse than no lob at all
• When to use: Against a fast, deep serve that pushes you back

The Drive Return

A flat, firm return hit through the middle or at the net player. Higher risk, higher reward.

• Target: Down the middle between opponents or at the net player's body
• Pace: Enough to pressure but controlled enough to stay in play
• When to use: On a weak or short serve that sits up for you

When to Use Each Return

Your return choice depends on three factors: the quality of the serve, your skill level, and the match situation.

• Deep, fast serve to the body: Block back a chiquita or lob over the top
• Short, weak serve: Attack with a drive down the middle or a low chiquita
• Slice serve pulling you wide: Lob to buy time and recover your position
• When you're down in the game: Play the percentages with a safe lob return
• When you need a break: Mix in aggressive chiquita returns to pressure the server

Common Mistakes

Taking a huge backswing on the return is mistake number one. The serve is coming at you with pace and spin already — you don't need to generate power. Keep your swing compact. Mistake number two is standing too close to the service line. You need reaction time, especially against slice serves that skid. Third, many players return to the same spot every time. If the net player knows where your return is going, they'll poach it and put it away.

Pro Tips

Watch the server's racket, not the ball toss. The angle and speed of their swing tells you whether it's flat, slice, or kick before the ball even arrives. Position your split step just as the server makes contact — this loads your legs for a quick first move in either direction. And always, always have a plan before the serve. Decide whether you're going chiquita, lob, or drive based on the score and the server's pattern. Reacting is slower than deciding. The best returners in professional padel — think Bela or Lebron — look calm because they've already chosen their shot before the ball crosses the net.