Vibora and volley technique: professional coaching cues

What this lesson covers

Professional training at the Alameda Academy focuses on three core areas: groundstrokes, the vibora, and volleys. For groundstrokes, the coach emphasizes maintaining distance from the ball to avoid excessive wrist movement, which allows for better decision-making between a lob, a chiquita, or a power shot. Adding a slight amount of topspin to forehands and backhands prevents balls from flying directly into the glass during hard shots.

Regarding the vibora, the coach instructs the player to imagine throwing the ball to the back of the opponent's court with the hand to establish the correct arm motion. The impact point should be at a 45-degree angle to the body, focusing on a combination of power and side spin. For volleys, the focus shifts to pushing through the ball rather than relying solely on slice. The coach advises keeping the racket head up and moving from high to low, allowing the wrist to move slightly to maintain control and depth.