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.
Quando giocarlo
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.
Come giocarlo
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.
Errori comuni
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.
Regole di questo colpo
Domande
La surprise serve è regolare nel 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.