This exercise is the third progression in learning the vibora technique. After developing the lateral arm path and then identifying the correct contact point, the player now learns how to position themselves more effectively in relation to the ball.
The objective is to use the non-dominant arm as a reference to locate the ball and adjust the distance between the ball and the body.
This progression should help the player find the correct position more easily before the shot and maintain the space required to perform the lateral movement of the vibora.
Technical objectives:
This exercise is the third step in the series of progressions for learning the technical movement of the vibora.
The first exercise focused on developing the lateral arm path by throwing balls by hand. The second focused on identifying the correct contact point and hitting the first viboras.
➡️ All the progressions from the session dedicated to vibora technique are available here: Vibora technique: 5 progressions to learn the correct movement.
3️⃣ In this third progression, the player learns how to use the non-dominant arm to locate the ball and adjust their distance from it.
As the ball approaches, the player raises the non-dominant arm and reaches towards the ball, as if trying to catch it by hand, while maintaining the vibora preparation position.
Setup:
The player starts at the back of the service box, on one side of the court.
The coach places a cone in the volley position to mark the position the player should recover after hitting the vibora.
On the opposite side of the court, the coach also sets up a diagonal line of cones to mark the intended trajectory of the vibora.
The coach positions themselves in the opposite diagonal with a basket of balls.
How the drill works:
The coach feeds high balls towards the player.
The player adjusts their position and uses the non-dominant arm to locate the ball and adjust their distance from it.
The left arm (for a right-handed player) moves across the front of the body towards the right side, while the player turns into the vibora preparation position. The chin should then be positioned above the left shoulder.
On each ball fed by the coach, the player gets into the vibora position with the non-dominant arm ready to catch the ball.
⏩ The player actually catches the ball to establish the correct distance between the body and the future contact point. This distance should provide enough space to perform the lateral arm path correctly.
Once the ball has been caught, the player tosses it back up and then hits a vibora, reproducing the technique developed in the previous progressions and directing the ball towards the area marked by the cones.
Immediately after the shot, the player moves forwards towards the cone positioned at the net, reinforcing the habit of closing the space after hitting the vibora.
➡️ To continue learning the vibora technique, the next progression is available here: Learning the vibora: racket preparation and moving backwards.
➡️ The full session and all its progressions are available here: Vibora technique: 5 progressions to learn the correct movement.
Variation for a group of 2 to 6 players:
With several players, the coach positions them on the same side of the court in two lines (one on the left and one on the right).
The coach alternates feeds between the two lines: each player catches the ball, tosses it up to themselves to hit a víbora, then moves forward to the cone positioned at the net before returning to their line.
Each player completes around ten repetitions, then they switch sides to practise both diagonals.
Video credits: MEJORA la VÍBORA de PÁDEL 🐍💥 Ejercicios para la Técnica de Víbora – Padelarte – YouTube