From the club Padel San Miguel de Tenerife, let's learn or deepen bandeja, this very particular blow to padel.

How to realize it? What exercises to perform?

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

La bandeja in a few lines:

La bandeja is a shot that we will only use padel. It is characterized as a high forehand volley but hit with a cut effect. The bandeja will be used as a waiting or point preparation shot, the idea being to move our opponents, making their defense more difficult because the ball will have little rebound. Finally, the bandeja 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 right.

The preparation of the blow can be done in two ways, outstretched arm or bent arm. I advise beginners and intermediate players to prepare with an outstretched arm in order to automate the movement correctly. For more experienced players, you can prepare with the bent arm which will allow you to hide the effect you will have on the ball (bandeja ou vibora).

For a good balance of the body, I advise first of all to strike the bandeja 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.

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 zones: rebound in the service box, behind the line or at the gate
- Use in point preparation to move our opponents and force them to defend
- Use with an effect cut from the top to the front
- Low on the legs. The best is to start with the 2 feet on the ground at the moment of the strike
- Left hand (for the right-handed) towards the side gate and not towards the ball
- Preparation with the racket pulled backwards over the shoulder, arms outstretched
- Face (or sieve) of the racket facing the sky
- Tip of the front foot facing the opponent's court to avoid knee injuries
- Strike above the waist, if possible near 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.