The pickleball lob is a highly underused shot for defence and offense. If you’re trying to get a hard to reach shot popping up a lob can buy you time to recover. If you have more time you can disguise your shot and flick your wrist to get a topspin lob winning shot. You have to respect the height of the ceiling if you are playing indoors and if outdoors you have to factor in the wind.
Key Strategies for a Successful Lob:
- Disguise the shot: Do not telegraph your intentions (0:07-0:12). Make it look like a standard forehand until the last possible second.
- Use your wrist: Brush the ball low to high to create necessary topspin (0:12-0:16).
- Target selection: Aim for the weaker player on the opposing team, or surprise a server who is expecting a drive or drop shot (0:19-0:32).
- Mix it up: Keep your opponents guessing by varying your shots, such as hitting lobs from different foot positions or different court spots (0:35-0:53).
- If you hit a successful lob it’s a good idea to close in and come to the kitchen to be ready to finish off a weaker reply
Conclusion: The topspin lob is a versatile tool that can be used as a third shot or even on a return of serve (0:55-1:06). Integrating it with drives and drops is essential to keep your opponents off balance (1:08-1:17).