Today I tackle blows typically padel. You have surely heard of bandeja ou vibora ? But what is it, then ? How to differentiate them? When to play them? How? 'Or' What ?

I will try to answer all these questions ... try ...

Au padel, there are 3 main families of blows played at the top: smashes, bandejas and viboras.

I'm not going to dwell on the smashes, which are, for me, a finishing touch: you spike when you're close to the net (I'm not talking about the high level, of course) and in a very favorable position. We spike to bring the ball home after its impact on the back glass of our opponents, or to bring it out in "par 3" or "par 4" (sideways or over the back glass).

Sanyo gutierrez smash

La bandeja

Let us rather focus on the 2 other large families of moves played at the top, and start with the bandeja.

La bandeja is a "waiting" shot. That is to say, you are not going to try to finish the point with this strike. You will rather try to retake the net, after you have been lobed (fairly deep lob). The object of the game is to hit the ball, at a "low" speed, before the rebound and slide it to the baseline to force your opponents to stay at the back and play a low ball that will not come out too much. the glass and that will prevent them from moving forward and being aggressive.

Technically, the bandeja is played with a more backward hitting plane and at the level of your chin, arm stretched out to the side (a bit like if you want to wrap a scarf around your neck), sieve slightly open. During preparation, the racquet head is generally far from the body (different preparation on finishing smashes and on vibora).

White Bandeja wpt

Regarding the decision, you are free to take it. Some players close the grip a bit so that they can use the wrist a bit more on impact and after impact. Other players open the jack a bit so that they can press down on the ball and crush it. Regardless, the goal is for the ball to be long and low, both on the rebound and after the rebound, and allow you to catch the net in good conditions.

What is important, on the other hand, is to quickly turn your shoulders, back quickly to be able to hit the ball very lightly in front of you and always hold your free arm up to keep your balance at all times. If you take the ball with a hitting plane too far back, you will not be able to crush the ball, and the rebound will be high with your opponents. They can therefore counter you very easily, and put you in difficulty immediately. This is why it is very important, at the time of the initiation of the strike, to be able to take support on his dominant foot to give a forward impulse after the strike and to be in the direction of the recovery of the net.

Tactically, the bandeja is played long, in all cases. The goal is to force your opponents to let the ball pass and play after the glass (or windows).

La vibora

La vibora, which means viper in Spanish, is a move that plays out in a slightly different spirit. There you will try to accelerate the ball and hurt. It is a more aggressive blow than the bandeja. The role of the arm and wrist, at impact, are more important than in the case of a bandeja.

Technically, the preparation for a vibora will be slightly different from the other two shots played at the top (smash and bandeja). In addition to the still very important role of the free arm, the racquet head will be closer to the body and the striking plane will be at the level of the forehead, slightly away from the body (closer than for the bandeja However).

On impact, the striking plane is more advanced than in the case of a bandeja. It is important to use the wrist and brush the ball to make it spin fast and crash into your opponents, causing them to play a very low, fast ball with spin. It's up to you, then, to quickly regain the net and stick it if you see that your vibora it hurts. You will have a good chance of receiving a floating ball allowing you a finishing smash… be vigilant!

marta-marrero-bandeja

Tactically the vibora is played either in the feet of your opponent in front or in the corner diagonally. To vary you can of course play it in the center, which is and remains a privileged area in the padel, whatever the move.

You should know that depending on your profile you will be more comfortable on one of these two shots (bandeja ou vibora). It's up to you to know yourself well. Have confidence in your feelings and give it a try! In any case, whether you are playing a bandeja or an vibora, remember that the goal is for your ball to be long, low and allow you to catch the net!

To your palas!

¡Que disfruten!

Line Meites

Line Meites is one of the best French players in padel. It's the voice of your live on Padel Magazine. But not only, she also hosts the column “Investigations of the Swiss Army Knife”. Every month, she will come back to a controversy or a theme that is close to her heart.

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