Víbora
Also known as: vibora(term used as-is across languages)
A víbora is an aggressive sliced overhead — Spanish for "viper" — hit with sidespin so it stays low and kicks awkwardly off the side glass, more attacking than a bandeja but more controlled than a smash.
The víbora sits between the defensive bandeja and the all-out smash: it applies pressure and can win points by producing a vicious, low side-glass rebound, while still letting the hitter hold the net. The brushing, side-spinning contact gives it its characteristic snake-like bite. The headword stays in Spanish across languages.
Example
On a short lob, the player snaps a víbora that skids low and spins nastily off the side wall, drawing a weak reply.
Related terms
- BandejaA bandeja is a controlled defensive overhead — Spanish for "tray" — hit with slice to keep the point neutral and hold the net position, rather than to win the point outright.
- LobA lob is a high, deep shot hit over the opponents at the net to push them back off their attacking position — one of the most important tactical shots in padel.
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