When the situation allows, playing a rulo (a slow, topspin overhead) cross-court toward the diagonal fence can often be a decisive shot during a rally.
This drill, practised by Agustín Tapia in training, focuses on improving the precision and consistency of this shot.
Drill description
The player positions himself on his usual side of the court (here on the left in Tapia’s demonstration).
The coach stands on the diagonal at the back of the court to send the balls.
The coach feeds diagonal lobs, high and with a depth around the service-line area.
The player starts from an attacking volley position close to the net, then moves back to return the ball with a rulo — a slow, kick overhead shot — directed cross-court toward the diagonal fence.
After each rulo, the player recovers to the net in an attacking volley position, just as they would in a match situation.
The rebound off the fence is unpredictable and can therefore be difficult for the opponent to anticipate, often causing either a direct error or a weak return that allows the player to take control of the rally or even finish the point.
Technical tips
The player should not necessarily look to add power to the rulo, as trying to hit it harder greatly increases the risk of making a direct error. Precision and topspin are the most important qualities of a successful rulo.
This is not a finishing smash, but a slow overhead shot that allows the player to maintain net position. Playing a rulo when a víbora or aggressive smash is not possible — because the player is slightly late on the ball — helps avoid letting the ball pass and ending up in a defensive position.
This shot can indeed be risky, as depending on the incoming lob, the angle toward the diagonal fence can quickly become very tight. The player must therefore learn to judge when this shot is playable and when it is too risky.
In general, the more the opponent’s lob is angled toward the side glass, the easier it is to find the diagonal fence. Conversely, the more the lob is played through the middle of the court, the harder it is to target the diagonal fence, especially for a left-side player.
Here’s the video demonstration of the drill: