Gancho technique: overhead positioning and targets

What this lesson covers

The gancho is an overhead shot used when a lob travels over the left shoulder. Unlike the bandeja, which requires moving behind the ball, the gancho allows a player to maintain a more forward court position. By contacting the ball higher and further in front with a straighter arm, the player saves time and recovers the net position more effectively. This shot is particularly useful for right-side players facing lobs that drift toward the center of the court.

The primary goal is to force opponents into the back corner. Aiming toward the side glass or the fence ensures the ball dies at the back of the court. Players must avoid leaving the racket face open, which causes the ball to float. Instead, the contact must remain firm with a downward trajectory to maintain pressure. Regular practice with a basket of balls helps in mastering the timing of stepping into the shot rather than running around it.