Vibora defense: positioning and blocking

What this lesson covers

Defending against a vibora requires adjusting to the side spin and slice that cause the ball to die behind the player. Many club players make the mistake of rushing forward as they would for a flat smash, leaving them caught out of position when the ball drops short. Success depends on reading the opponent's contact point. If the contact is high and in front, the shot will likely be flat. If the contact occurs to the side, expect spin and prepare for a ball that will not bounce as far off the back glass.

Two primary defensive strategies exist. The first involves staying deep in the court to use the back glass for the rebound, which is effective if the ball has significant spin or lands near the corner. The second approach is to step forward toward the white line to block the ball before it reaches the glass. This aggressive option requires full commitment to the net position to take time away from the opponents. Players should avoid getting stuck in the middle of the court. Dedicated drilling, where one player hits two balls and a lob to force a vibora response, serves as the most effective way to build these habits away from the pressure of a match.