Vibora technique: side spin and contact point

What this lesson covers

The vibora is a shot that requires lateral spin rather than downward cut. Players often confuse it with a bandeja, which is meant for maintaining the net position with precision and control. The vibora acts as an aggressive intermediate shot between a controlled volley and a finishing smash, utilizing higher contact and increased lateral effect to put pressure on opponents.

To execute the shot, the paddle starts high and the player strikes the side of the ball, not the bottom. The wrist remains loose to allow for the necessary change in the paddle plane. A common error involves finishing the stroke downward, whereas the tip of the paddle should move forward through the ball. When aiming for the middle of the court, the shot requires deceleration to prevent excessive bounce off the glass, while maintaining the same lateral spin. The progression involves finding the sensation of brushing the side of the ball consistently, moving from high-level misses to controlled, effective strikes.