Bandeja technique: grip, contact point and slice

What this lesson covers

The bandeja serves one primary purpose: maintaining the net position. Players should use a continental grip, ensuring the racket face remains open rather than closed. The contact point must be well in front of the body and far to the right for right-handed players, allowing the arm to be nearly stretched. This positioning helps the ball float, providing the necessary time to move forward to the net.

A small backswing is essential to generate sufficient slice, which keeps the ball low and prevents it from bouncing high off the opponent's glass. The elbow should remain high, ideally near face level, throughout the preparation. Keeping the preparation higher than the ball ensures downward trajectory. Using the non-dominant hand to hold the racket throat during the initial phase helps keep the backswing compact and the body balanced.

The height of the contact point should vary based on the intended target. Higher contact is preferred for cross-court shots, while lower contact is better for straight shots to avoid excessive bounce. Aiming the left foot toward the target and keeping body weight forward during the swing helps maintain control. The goal is to develop a natural, individual swing rather than copying a specific model.