Gancho: Hook the Overhead Out of the Side Glass
The Situation
A lob pushes you back toward the side wall and a flat smash would only feed the back glass.
What To Do
Play the gancho (hook): a high, hooking overhead struck across the body that sends the ball into the side wall first so it spins out of the cage. Use it when you are displaced toward the side and need an attacking option that will not sit up off the back wall.
Why It Works
When you are pushed sideways, a conventional smash either lacks the angle or rebounds invitingly off the back glass. The gancho's hooking action sends the ball out through the side glass at a sharp, dying angle that rarely comes back into play. It is a specialist, high-difficulty shot, but in the corner it turns a defensive lob into an attack no other overhead can make from that position.
Court Positioning
Player displaced toward the side wall by a lob. Gancho hooked across the body into the side glass; the ball spins out of court at a sharp angle. A back-glass alternative is shown popping up invitingly for contrast.
Court View
Bird's-eye view: attacking net position
Skill Level
Bandeja: Shuffle Back, Slice, Return Forward
You are lobbed while at the net. The lob is medium depth, not short enough to attack, not deep enough to let bounce.
Víbora Only on Short Lobs: Never Deep
The opponent lobs short, the ball is above shoulder height and well inside the service line.
Always Lob to the Backhand Overhead Side
You are choosing where to direct your lobs from the back of the court.