Some may love it, and some may hate it, but one of the most useful and effective shots in pickleball when done correctly is the lob. Let’s go over when and why you would want to lob and the different ways you can use it.
When, Why, And Ways To Use The Lob In Pickleball
When To Lob In Pickleball And Why?
The when and why you should lob in pickleball are essentially the same. You want to use a lob for several different reasons and scenarios. A lob can be a wise choice if you’re pulled wide or have to run for a ball and you know your next shot will not be a controlled shot that your opponent can take advantage of. A lob can buy you time to get repositioned in the kitchen or elsewhere.
If you’re able to execute a lob during a dinking battle at the kitchen without your opponents expecting it, it can change the pace of the game. Your opponents would have to chase the ball down, giving up their position at the net.
A lob also does not have to be used only in the middle of a game. You can use a lob serve or even a lob return. You may be surprised how effective it can be to throw off your opponents. If your opponents like to slice return and you struggle with your third shot, you may want to lob serve instead of using topspin to serve.
If your opponent likes to drive the ball hard but they don’t know how to apply spin to keep the ball in, a lob return with a high bounce can bait them to hit the ball hard and out of bounds.
How To Run Down A Lob In Pickleball
If your opponents lob a ball over your head, DO NOT walk backward while trying to track the ball for an overhead. Walking backward is not only slow, but it can also be dangerous. Instead, you want to turn your body, face the ball and shuffle sideways so you can see where you’re going.
If a ball is lobbed over your partner, you want to be the one running down a lob. If the lob is over you, it should be your partner that is running down the lob. It is a lot easier and faster for the person that sees a ball being lobbed next to them than over their own heads, realizing it, and then reacting to it.
How To Defend A Lob In Pickleball
One way to defend a lob in pickleball is right when it happens. If you’re in the kitchen in a dinking battle, be aware of your opponent’s paddle face. If they open it up instead of how they normally dink, anticipate a lob.
Another way to defend a lob is by having a good overhead so that your opponents think twice about lobbing you in a game. A good overhead can be having a powerful putaway or a great angle that your opponents can’t get to. If you don’t have a good overhead now, it does not mean you can’t improve in this area.
There are many good YouTube videos that explain the proper form and technique for hitting a good overhead. You will then need to practice the same shot over and over again by drilling. All you need is a friend to feed you the ball and a basket full of pickleball.
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