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When is a víbora the right overhead?
The víbora is a fast, side-sliced overhead for a lob slightly short of a bandeja. Aim it into the side glass so it dies.
You have a lob that is slightly short of a full bandeja. What does the víbora offer and when do you use it?
The víbora is a fast, side-sliced overhead for a lob slightly short of a bandeja. Aim it into the side glass so it dies.
Why
The víbora sits between the bandeja and the smash. It is hit with more pace and with side-spin, at a lower contact point than the smash, and aimed to bounce and then hit the side glass so the ball comes out low and awkward. It works on a lob that is a little short: one that gives you the ball in front of you but not high enough for a flat smash. On a deep lob it is a liability, because the pace has nowhere to go. Most players learn it after the bandeja is reliable; it is the shot that turns holding the net into pressing from it.
What this means at your level
Beginner
Get the bandeja right first. The víbora is the next step, once you can hit the bandeja deep ten times out of ten.
Intermediate
Contact slightly to the side of the ball, brushing across it, aiming to bounce a metre before the side glass. The spin does the rest.
Advanced
The víbora into the glass on the opponent's backhand side is the one that produces the weak reply. Into the forehand side it comes out to a comfortable shot.
Common questions
You have a lob that is slightly short of a full bandeja. What does the víbora offer and when do you use it?
A slightly short lob, side-spun into the glass. The víbora is a fast, side-sliced overhead for a lob slightly short of a bandeja. Aim it into the side glass so it dies. The víbora sits between the bandeja and the smash. It is hit with more pace and with side-spin, at a lower contact point than the smash, and aimed to bounce and then hit the side glass so the ball comes out low and awkward. It works on a lob that is a little short: one that gives you the ball in front of you but not high enough for a flat smash. On a deep lob it is a liability, because the pace has nowhere to go. Most players learn it after the bandeja is reliable; it is the shot that turns holding the net into pressing from it.
Why not on every lob, as a harder bandeja?
The víbora needs a slightly shorter lob and a good contact. On a deep lob it goes long or into the net.
What should a beginner do here?
Get the bandeja right first. The víbora is the next step, once you can hit the bandeja deep ten times out of ten.
How does this change for an advanced player?
The víbora into the glass on the opponent's backhand side is the one that produces the weak reply. Into the forehand side it comes out to a comfortable shot.
Puzzles like this one
They lobbed you deep. Smash it or play the bandeja?
Deep ball, high hands: bandeja. The shot exists to keep you at the net, not to win the point.
intermediateShort, high and yours. Bandeja or smash?
Deep ball, bandeja. Short ball with your weight going forward, smash.
intermediateYou are hitting a bandeja. Cross-court or down the line?
Bandeja cross-court and deep by default. It buys margin, and it keeps you covered while you recover.