A lob in tennis is a high-arching shot that lands deep in your opponent’s court, often over their head when they are positioned near the net. The lob seems easy to execute until you attempt it under match pressure. An effective lob can win the point, force a difficult overhead, and give you time to recover to the center of the court after you have been stretched wide.
A lob is a tennis shot with an arching trajectory that travels over an opponent, usually positioned at the net, to score outright, put you in a winning position for the next shot, or force your opponent into a difficult overhead. It also gives you time to recover when you are under pressure.
Continue reading to learn why lobs are useful shots to learn, how to execute them effectively, and how to improve yours.
3 Things a Lob is Trying To Accomplish
Spin on the ball affects how reliable a lob is. On the one hand, topspin helps create more downward dip as the ball drops into the court. Therefore, it is much easier to hit a deep lob with topspin. On the other hand, flatter lobs can seem easier to hit; however, if the height and depth are off, they have the greatest chance of sailing long because they stay too flat.
Slice lobs are effective for forcing an overhead while the opponent is still in an awkward position; however, most players find them harder to execute consistently early in a game.
Lobs are often utilized with one of three intentions:
#1 Clean Pass
The most common method of using a lob is to get a clean pass over the net player that drops close to the baseline.
#2 Pressure Your Opponent
A second way players use a lob is to make the opponent turn and run back to the point that they have to hit an overhead shot while still on the run.
#3 Defensively
When you are on defense, a lob serves as a reset by sending the ball high and deep enough to allow you to recover into position.
When To Lob (And When Not To)
The best time to hit a lob is when your opponent is near the net and you have the stability needed to lift the ball effectively. In addition, if they are positioning themselves tightly and leaning forward, they have to turn around and run backward after they receive the lob. As a result, good players who can hit overheads become less effective at hitting them if they have to run backward after a lob, regardless of how well they normally hit them.
There are times when a lob helps relieve pressure from a shot. If you are late, jammed, or stretched wide, hitting a low passing shot is risky. In contrast, hitting a high defensive lob gives you a little more margin for error, as well as the opportunity to recover.
A lob is usually not an appropriate shot in situations where you are given an easy ball inside the court to attack more directly or when you continually lob at a player who can comfortably hit overheads. Although lobbing can still be an effective strategy when playing in windy conditions, you have to use larger target areas and give yourself greater margins of error.
3 Useful Lob Versions
Here are a few ways you can hit lob shots
#1 High & Safe
Many players use lob shots as a defensive play, hitting high and deep with a strong margin for error to optimize effectiveness. It does not have to look good or be clever. Your goal is to stay in the rally and return to a comfortable position.
#2 With Spin
Using topspin when hitting a lob helps it dip down and stay in bounds. Therefore, it is often your safest long-term option. The emphasis is not on hitting harder, but rather on using an upward brushing finish to create depth.
#3 Go for the Point
When you hit a very short, point ending lob with plenty of time because your opponent is at the net, this is called an offensive, as opposed to a defensive, lob. Offensive, in this sense, means that you are in control of how and where you hit your shot, not that you are being reckless.
How to Hit a Forehand Lob
Nearly all players use a regular forehand grip when hitting a lob. There are three key points for this shot: space, legs, and a high finish.
First, make sure you give yourself enough space to avoid being jammed. If you allow the ball too close to your body, your wrist flicks, and you lose control of your shot. Use small adjustment steps, and try to hit slightly ahead of your body.
The next way to improve when lifting the ball for a lob is to use your legs. By bending and then extending during your follow-through, you make it easier to create lift on your lob instead of opening the racquet face and floating the ball long.
Finally, always maintain a smooth swing and finish high. Even if you hit a defensive lob, use a continuous swing and follow-through. And remember, to create topspin on your lob, use more of an upward brush and finish higher.
How to Hit a Backhand Lob
Backhand lobs follow the general premise of proper technique through an early shoulder turn, creating space, using leg drive, and maintaining a high finish.
To execute a two-handed backhand lob properly, players often find that they create upward lift with their non-dominant hand. One-handed backhand lob players should focus on stability, avoid wrist collapse, keep the arms extended, and complete the stroke up and out through the shot.
Common Lob Problems to Overcome
Here are a few of the most common issues newer players have with hitting a lob.
- When your lob shots go out of bounds, it is usually because your racquet face is too open, and your swing path not being a strong enough blend of upward lift and soft control.
- When you add topspin to your swing, it adds a bit more pace. If your lobs lack the height they are supposed to have and end up getting attacked, it is likely that you decelerate, strike the ball late, or do not give the ball the necessary arc.
- Stay committed to hitting with height, keep swinging, and finish your swing in a higher position on the court. If you miss your lobs when you are under stress, most of the time the reason is because you stop moving your feet.
- Try taking one more step when preparing to hit, maintain good head position throughout contact, and make your goal to hit high and deep.
Drills to Build a Lob You Can Depend On
Begin by practicing lobs about three feet behind the service line. Practice lobbing every third ball during rallies. The goal is to clear an imaginary net player and have the ball land after crossing the service line.
Count how many lobs take off before the service line and how many go into the back third of the court. You develop topspin control with lobs by aiming your shots between the service line and the baseline. Then, move them to the back third. Once you do this consistently, you start to hit lobs close to the baseline.
3 FAQs About Lobbing
Here are a few questions novice tennis players ask about lobbing a ball. If you do not see your question answered, feel free to reach out directly.
What’s the Difference Between a Lob & a Moonball?
Lobs are intended to go over an opponent, especially one playing at the net, and land deep in the court. Moonballs are very high rally balls and are primarily used to reset the point rhythm or keep the rally going longer.
Should I Lob Crosscourt or Down the Line?
Crosscourt typically offers a greater margin of error because it is a longer distance across the court, and the net is much lower at 8 ft in the middle of the court. A down the line shot is used if the lane is clearly open; however, the down the line shot presents a much smaller margin of error.
What if My Opponent Keeps Smashing My Lobs?
Lob less often and hit the ones you do hit with greater depth, not shorter, so they must move away from you rather than advancing toward you. Use more dipping shots at their feet and make periodic attempts to run a player out of bounds.
Lear to Lob & More at Basha Tennis in Mountlake Terrace!
To be successful at hitting a good lob, you need a strong intention to perform the shot before you even execute it. That intention is to create space, along with sound technique that includes using your legs to lift the ball, swinging through smoothly, and finishing with a high follow through.
If you want to learn to hit a lob and other shots like a tennis pro, stop by Basha Tennis in Mountlake Terrace today. Our expert coaches work with juniors and adults in group settings and address each student’s individual needs based on skill level. We also offer private lessons for those who want to take their tennis game to the next level more quickly.
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