Padel Technique: Mastering the Bandeja and Víbora - From Lob to Attacking Weapon
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The opponent's lob is often seen as a "test of patience" for players at the net. How you react to this high lob is what separates the average player from the pro. Fail, and you lose the net. Succeed, and you establish your offensive dominance.
The Bandeja and Vibora are the essential responses to the Lob. Mastering these two strokes transforms the opponent's defensive Lob into an opportunity for a crushing attack.
1. Understanding the Challenge: Responding to the Lob
When the opponent hits a high lob, the goal is to force you and your partner to retreat to "no man's land" and play defensively. Your goal is:
- React Before the Wall: You must hit the ball as it falls, before it hits the back wall.
- Keeping Depth: Forcing the ball to land deep in the opponent's court and close to the corners.
- Quick Return: Immediately returning to the net after executing the stroke.
2. The Bandeja: Control and Depth
The word "Bandeja" means "tray" in Spanish, and is so named because the racket remains relatively flat throughout the stroke (like carrying a tray).
| Feature | Technical Details | Strategic Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Main goal | Control and hold the net. Not to end the point, but to force the opponent to play defensively. | |
| Racket movement | A flat, horizontal movement, from the side to the front. The elbow is held high and the racket is slightly open upward. | Prevents excessive topspin, keeping the ball low after landing. |
| Positioning | You pull back to the side and hit the ball at a point in front of and next to your body (at shoulder height or slightly lower). | Allows a quick return to the net once the stroke is completed. |
3. The Víbora: Power and Treacherous Spin
The word "Víbora" means "viper" in Spanish, and is so named because of the quick, whip-like movement of the racket that resembles an adder's bite.
| Feature | Technical Details | Strategic Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Main goal | Attack and finish the point. The goal is to generate strong side spin that makes the ball difficult to return. | |
| Racket movement | A strong diagonal movement, ending with a quick whipping motion to the body. This generates intense sidespin. | Sidespin makes the ball slide quickly along the glass, increasing speed and depth. |
| Positioning | You pull back as in the Bandeja, but the ball is hit slightly above shoulder height and requires more time to prepare. | Requires higher precision and more power, and is more suitable for left-handed players (Attack). |
4. Strategic Application: When to Use the Bandeja and When to Use the Víbora?
| Game scenario | The Best Shot | The Reason |
|---|---|---|
| You are under time pressure | Bandeja | Requires less preparation and gets back on the grid faster. |
| You must end the point | Vibora | Generates a strong sidespin that makes it difficult for the opponent to respond effectively. |
| The Lob is close to the side wall | Bandeja | This allows you to control the trajectory of the ball to prevent it from hitting the net. |
5. Advanced Collaboration Strategies with Bandeja and Víbora
The importance of these blows is not limited to individual performance; they are collective tools used to prepare the partner for the attack.
A. Double Attack Setup
- The Goal: Prepare the partner for the deadly attack.
- Execution: The defender (right player) uses the Bandeja (safe and controlled) to keep the ball deep and close to the wall, forcing the opponent into a weak defensive shot. The attacker (left player) prepares to intercept the weak reaction and end the point with a powerful volley or smash.
B. Playing the Gap Strategy
- The Goal: Find an empty space between the two opponents.
- Execution: If the opponents are too far apart, hit a powerful Víbora into the space between them (toward the center of the court). This forces both opponents to compete for the ball, often leading to confusion or a foul.
C. Angle and Closing Strategy
- The Goal: To limit the opponent's angle with a sharp blow.
- Execution: Use the Bandeja to hit the ball into a corner very close to the opponent's sidewall. Once the ball is hit, both partners take a step forward to limit the angle of the opponent's court.
6. Inspiring Top Players and Achievements
It is useful to name the stars who master these techniques:
| The Battle | The Most Prominent Player (Inspiration) | Stylistic feature |
|---|---|---|
| Bandeja | Juan Martin Diaz | Considered the “King of Bandeja,” known for his classic, slow, and controlled style of killing attacks. |
| Vibora | Fernando Belasteguín | Famous for his powerful and rotating shots, the Víbora uses the ball very effectively from the right side to generate sidespin. |
| Double Attack | Alejandro Galán | Known for his attacking style that uses the powerful Víbora to finish points directly. |
7. Training Advice for Perfect Execution
Add these training routines to perfect your strokes:
- The "Shadow" Training: Practice the lateral withdrawal and the full racket movement for both off-ball shots. The movement above the shoulder should become instinctive.
- The "Highest Point" Training: Ask your partner to hit random lobs. Practice dropping the ball to the correct level (shoulder for Bandeja, above the shoulder for Vibora) and always be sure to stand sideways (Side On).
Don't let the lob defeat you! Mastering these two shots will reduce your errors, increase pressure on your opponents, and ensure you maintain control of the net.
Browse our curated collection of Padel Rackets (Diamond and Teardrop) specifically designed to enhance the performance of your advanced strokes, and start training like a pro today!