Bandeja technique: fixing a bouncy ball

What this lesson covers

A bouncy bandeja often results from poor movement, incorrect body positioning, or low racket preparation. Players frequently watch the ball instead of anticipating the lob, leading to late positioning and small, ineffective steps. Efficient movement requires a split step followed by a pivot and powerful, long strides to reach the ball early. This ensures the player maintains proper distance from the ball, avoiding a cramped contact point that forces an upward, bouncy swing path.

Body position relative to the ball is equally significant. If a player gets underneath the ball, they lack the space to swing horizontally, resulting in a steep trajectory. Furthermore, starting with the racket low mimics a tennis smash setup, which inevitably forces an upward swing. Instead, the racket and arm must remain above the contact height to facilitate a high-to-low or horizontal swing path. This approach produces the necessary slice and a flatter, lower ball trajectory that stays difficult for opponents to attack. These technical adjustments are most effective when practiced through shadow drills to build muscle memory.