From the club Padel San Miguel de Tenerife, Julien Bondia come back to one of the very particular shots padel, Vibora. Check out this move, learn it or deepen it. Here is the technical detail and some exercises to perform.

Clubs, players and teachers of padel, use these 2 videos to help you improve vibora.

La vibora in a few lines:

La vibora is a shot that we will only use padel. It is characterized as a bandeja (high fly cut) but its effect will be different since it will be brushed and not cut. The vibora will be used as a waiting or point preparation stroke, the idea being to move our opponents, making their defense more difficult because the ball will tend to finish its course towards the side window or the grid. Finally, the vibora will allow us not to lose the net. It can be used by both players, right or left, but is generally more effective with a right-handed player playing on the left or a left-handed player on the right.

The preparation of the blow will be folded arms. The head of the racket will always be above the wrist at the moment of the stroke. For better efficiency, during preparation, the sieve or face of the racket will be oriented towards the sky. The strike will be carried out with outstretched arms to print a whipping effect on the ball. The end of the gesture will be around the neck like a scarf.

For a good balance of the body, I advise first of all to strike the vibora with both feet on the ground. Experienced players know how to hit in suspension; do not cut corners. Once the gesture is automated, you can start to get the ball higher. In order to have more angle, the position of the feet will be open (2/3 face).

Very important to avoid injury: Try to hit the ball in front of you. Hitting the ball at the level of your body or behind may not hurt you right away, but with repetition it may be that after a few weeks you have to change the gesture because of a shoulder injury.

- Use in three areas: side window, second pane, slow center
- Use in point preparation to move our opponents and force them to defend
- Use with a brushed effect
- Low on the legs. Start with the 2 feet on the ground at the time of the strike, open supports
- Left hand (for the right-handed) towards the side gate and not towards the ball
- Preparation with the racket pulled backwards over the shoulder, arm broken or slightly bent
- Face (or sieve) of the racket facing the sky
- Tip of the front foot facing the opponent's court to avoid knee injuries
- Strike up to our face or the eye
- Impact of the ball slightly in front of us
- Transfer of the body from the back to the front
- Finishing the gesture in a sling, the arm will wrap around the neck

Do not hesitate to ask us questions. On your rackets.

Julien Bondia

Julien Bondia is a teacher of padel in Tenerife (Spain). Columnist and advisor, he helps you play better through his tutorials and tactical/technical articles padel.

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