Surprise serve
A serve that changes the receiver's expectations: a different target, pace or height from the one you have been using, still struck at or below the waist.
When to play it
Once the receiver has settled into a rhythm on your usual serve. On a big point, when one unexpected ball can earn a weak return.
How to play it
Keep the same routine and preparation as your normal serve. Change only one thing: target, speed or height. Be ready to follow it in, since the reply can still be awkward.
Common mistakes
Changing the routine, so the receiver sees it coming. Taking a big risk on a first serve and missing the second. Using the surprise so often it becomes the normal serve.
Rules for this shot
Questions
Is the surprise serve legal in padel?
Legal under Rule 6 if you bounce the ball behind the line, strike it at or below the waist with a foot on the ground, and it lands in the diagonal box. Under Rule 7 a serve that bounces and then hits the fence is a fault.