Bandeja to the fence: technique and tactics

What this lesson covers

The bandeja to the fence forces opponents out of their comfort zone by creating unpredictable rebounds. Aiming for the imaginary line between the side glass and the fence creates doubt for the opponent, as they cannot predict if the ball will hit the fence or the glass. This shot works best when the ball bounces as close to the fence as possible without relying on high speed, which often leads to unforced errors.

Technically, the contact point must be well in front of the body. A short preparation and a flat stroke replace the traditional slice to ensure the ball stays in front and reaches the target area. The follow-through is kept short to encourage an earlier bounce. Tactically, the player must move immediately toward the center of the court after the shot to cover the space created by the opponent's awkward movement. This tactic is effective during the first volley after a serve or when defending against a chiquita to avoid the opponent's next volley.