Bandeja and rulo: keeping opponents at the back

What this lesson covers

The coach demonstrates the rulo, a controlled bandeja aimed at the fence to keep opponents pinned at the back of the court. The preparation mirrors a smash, but the focus remains on precision rather than power. Players must rotate their shoulders to generate downward force, ensuring the ball stays in front of the head at contact. The movement requires a slow, controlled retreat to the ball, avoiding the urge to rush or leave the ball too far in front, which often results in a vibora-style strike that lacks the necessary downward trajectory.

Footwork is critical. Players should move backward to get behind the ball, then jump upward and forward to maintain court position. The coach highlights the mistake of turning too much, which forces an extreme, awkward rotation. Instead, keep the rotation minimal and focus on the shoulder movement to guide the ball. When the lob is long, the player stays back and plays the ball softly to the fence. The goal is to force the opponent to stay deep, allowing the player to recover the net position effectively. This technique is particularly useful when the player is pulled out of position and needs to reset the point.