La bandeja is a blow unique au padel. You should know that it is not used the same way on the right as on the left. Let's focus on the right side of the track.

La bandeja is certainly more complicated than one might think. Today we will not speak strictly speaking about technique, a subject which has already been tackled in a article previous one, but we will try to find out how to play this move so special and unique to the padel.

If you have little time, make a bandeja tailored

First let's talk about height. When your opponents attempt a lob, it may be higher or lower, which will give you more or less time to prepare; and the more time you have, the more your bandeja will be effective. So the first point to take into account is the time you have. If the ball is high, you will have time to listen to your partner's information, perhaps to see your opponents coming to the net and thus take the time to adjust the speed and the area. If the lob is too low, don't try to play a complicated shot. If you have little time, make a bandeja simple.

Colombon bandeja WPT La Nucia Challenger 2021

Next we have the depth of the lob. Depending on the high ball to be played, you will be more or less far from the net. Close to the net you can attempt the attack with a quick and aggressive shot. The farther you are to the service line, the less you can accelerate. You will use the bandeja to give you enough time to return to your attacking position at the net.

Finally, the width, and this is certainly the tactical error that players make most often. The lob can come closer to the grid or on the contrary come more towards the center, and if you are wrong about the zone to be played, you will allow opponents to rush into the hole you left.

You can search for the bandeja cross towards the grille or the side window when you are close to the grille. Conversely, when you are close to the center, search for the center more slowly. And finally, bandejas from the middle of the service square will be able to go in the direction of the bottom window and then bounce on the side or enter the side and die on the bottom window.

Agustin Gutierrez bandeja Head Delta Pro 2022

The position of the opponents

The last point will be the position of the opponents. If they stay on the bottom, there's no point accelerating the ball unless your bandeja is close to the net. For half-track opponents, a deep slow ball will be a sign of punishment. You will therefore have to play slow in the feet in order to stop the advance, fix, and then be able to return to the attack. Then will come the situation where the players will be glued to the net. Regardless of your position, you need to play hard on them to prevent them from having an easy volley.

So, as a right-hander posted on the right, you have a lot of possible options with your bandeja. Our advice would be first, to fully understand each situation and avoid tactical errors, to follow what we have written above. Once height, depth, width and position of the adversaries are well assimilated, you can try fantasies, new effects or create new tactics, in short play your own game! But this first requires a tactical understanding that will avoid putting your partner and yourself in a bad position. Let's go! 

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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