Serve and smash
Serve, close in, and finish a short return with an overhead when the receiver lifts the ball weakly.
When to play it
When the return is short, high and in front of you. When the receivers are out of position after a good serve.
How to play it
Serve and come forward ready to turn side on. Point at the ball with your free hand and hit it in front of you. Aim for the gap or the feet rather than the back glass.
Common mistakes
Smashing a ball that is too deep or too low. Smashing hard into the back glass so it comes back as an easy ball.
Rules for this shot
Questions
Is the serve and smash legal in padel?
Legal: the ball is in play once the serve has bounced in the box (Rule 12.2), and an overhead that bounces in the opponents' court and then hits the walls or fence is a correct return (Rule 14.1c).