When your opponent tries to drive you off the net with a Lob, you answer with the Bandeja. It is not a winner but a control shot: you play the ball deep into the opponents’ half with backspin, so it barely bounces up after the wall, and you go straight back to the net.
How to play the Bandeja
1Turn sideways to the ball as soon as you read the Lob, and move back with small steps.
2The racket goes up beside your head, the face slightly open, your free hand pointing at the ball.
3Hit the ball in front of your body at roughly shoulder to head height, not right at the top.
4Swing through from high to forward and down, so the ball gets backspin.
5Move straight back forward into your net position afterwards.
Where the Bandeja goes
The target is the opponents’ corner or the side wall near the corner. The ball should arrive low and stay low after the wall, so your opponent cannot play another Lob.
Play the Bandeja with control rather than power. A ball hit too hard comes far back off the back wall and gives your opponent time.
Lob to B, B plays the Bandeja deep into the corner and goes straight back to the net.Your pairOpponentsBallMovementBounce
Common mistakes
Hitting the ball above your head like a Smash: the Bandeja gets too hard and rebounds far.
Standing still after the shot: you lose the net position.
Facing the net square on: without a side-on stance you lack control and backspin.
Drill: Bandeja from feeds
From the back, your partner plays medium-high Lobs to your side.
Play every ball with a Bandeja into their corner, then go back to the net position, marked with a ball on the ground.
10 reps per side, then swap.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference from the Víbora?
The Víbora has more sidespin and pace and aims more aggressively at the side wall. The Bandeja is calmer and safer.
When should I play a Smash instead?
When the Lob is short and high and you are close to the net. On deep Lobs the Bandeja is the safer choice.
