Vibora and backhand technique: variation and control

What this lesson covers

This lesson focuses on refining the vibora and defensive backhand. For the vibora, the coach advises against using maximum power on every shot, as opponents quickly adapt to predictable speed. Instead, players should mix soft, spin-heavy shots with occasional hard strikes and gancho variations to keep opponents guessing. Aiming for the corners or side glass is preferred over shots that rebound high off the back glass, which are easier for high-level opponents to counter.

Regarding the backhand, the coach emphasizes maintaining a sideways position and keeping the elbow away from the body during the swing. This creates necessary space to accelerate and apply a flat top-spin that forces the ball to stay low after crossing the net. A short, compact swing is encouraged to save time and increase control, particularly during defensive returns. The lesson concludes by noting that as a right-side player, the objective is often to control the pace and set up the point rather than attempting to finish it with every shot, which prevents the ball from bouncing too high off the opponent's glass.