The Víbora, Spanish for viper, is the aggressive sister of the Bandeja. You hit the ball more from the side and with more pace, so it gets sidespin. Off the side wall it then stays low and changes direction, which makes it hard for your opponent to return.
How to play the Víbora
1Side-on stance like the Bandeja, with the ball hit a little further out to the side of your body.
2Take the racket back higher and further; it comes in more from the side.
3Hit the outside of the ball so it gets sidespin and backspin.
4Swing across in front of your body, then move to the net.
The target: the side wall
After the bounce, the Víbora should hit the side wall, ideally near the opponents’ corner. There the ball stays low and runs away from your opponent.
It is riskier than the Bandeja. Play it when you are well positioned and the Lob is not too deep.
A plays the Víbora onto the opponents’ side wall near the corner.Your pairOpponentsBallMovementBounce
Common mistakes
Too much power, too little spin: the ball flies into the fence or bounces up high.
Hitting the ball behind your body: no sidespin, no control.
Forcing the Víbora from a bad position instead of playing a Bandeja.
Drill: Target zone side wall
Put a towel on the ground in the opponents’ half near the corner.
Your partner feeds you Lobs, and you try to hit the towel with the Víbora.
Watch how the ball comes off the side wall and adjust your spin.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a special racket for the Víbora?
No. A rougher surface helps with spin, but technique is what decides it.
Can I play the Víbora from both sides?
Yes. It is most often played from the forehand side; pros also play it from the backhand corner.
