Welcome to the thrilling world of pickleball, where strategic shots can make all the difference in winning or losing a match! If you’re looking to elevate your pickleball game and outsmart your opponents, then the lob shot is a must-have weapon in your arsenal.
Whether you’re a seasoned pickleball pro or just starting out, learning how to master the art of the pickleball lob can give you the upper hand on the court. In this article, we’ll unlock the secrets of the elusive pickleball lob, unveiling its power, when to unleash it, and how to execute it with finesse.
So, get ready to take your pickleball skills to new heights as we dive into the exciting world of the pickleball lob shot!
What Is a Lob in Pickleball
A high-arcing shot known as a lob. It is one that misses your opponent and lands close to the baseline of their court. It is typically employed as a defensive move to buy time to recover when you are under duress or in an awkward position. When your opponent is too close to the net or not paying attention, you might employ a lob shot as an attacking shot to surprise them.
The best time to use a lob shot is when:
- You have adequate time and room to prepare since your opponent hits a short or weak ball.
- There is a lot of space behind your opponent when they move towards the net or are at the net.
- When your opponent anticipates a hard or low stroke, you want to take them by surprise.
- You need to refocus the situation because you are in difficulty or the wrong place.
However, you should not use a lob shot when:
- The ball’s trajectory may be impacted by the wind, which may be strong or unpredictable.
- It can be challenging to see the ball when the sun is in your eyes or your opponent’s eyes.
- The ball can be easily reached by or smashed by your opponent if they are tall or athletic.
- You don’t have enough space to hit the ball high enough because you are either too close to the net or too far from the baseline.
How to Execute a Perfect Lob Shot in Pickleball: Tips and Techniques
To hit a successful lob shot in pickleball, you need to follow these steps:
1) Position yourself behind the non-volley zone line (also known as the kitchen line) and keep your eyes on the ball. The non-volley zone line is the best place to hit a lob shot from because it gives you enough distance from the net and enough room for error.
If you are too close to the net, you might hit the ball into the net or out of bounds. If you are too far from the net, you might not have enough power or angle to hit the ball over your opponent’s head.
2) Use a continental grip (the same grip you use for serving) and hold your paddle slightly below your waist. A continental grip is the most versatile and comfortable grip for hitting a lob shot because it allows you to generate spin and height on the ball with your wrist and forearm.
To use a continental grip, hold your paddle as if you were shaking hands with it, with the base knuckle of your index finger on the edge of the paddle face. Hold your paddle slightly below your waist to give yourself enough room to swing and follow through.
To do this, you need to brush the ball from low to high with an open face, meaning that the paddle face is tilted slightly upwards. This will impart topspin on the ball, which will make it go higher and drop faster.
3) Swing your paddle back and then forward in a smooth and relaxed motion, brushing the ball from low to high with an open face. To hit a lob shot, you need to swing your paddle in an upward motion, creating a high trajectory and a deep target.
Swing your paddle back and then forward in a smooth and relaxed motion, without jerking or tensing up.Use your wrist and forearm to generate power and spin, rather than your shoulder or elbow.
4) Aim for a high trajectory and a deep target, preferably near the corners of the court. The ideal lob shot should go over your opponent’s head and land near the baseline, preferably near the corners of the court. This will make it harder for your opponent to reach and return the ball.
According to USAPickleball “From the baseline, take a backswing and contact the ball in front of the body with paddle face open to lift the ball and send it high, then follow through fully (paddle at least head high).”
You must aim for a high trajectory and a deep target in order to do this. You must swing upwards and strike the ball below your waist in order to aim for a high trajectory.
You must strike the ball with enough force and spin to propel it far enough in order to aim for a deep target. Depending on where your opponent is standing and where you want the ball to go, you may also change your angle and direction.
5) Your paddle should be pointed up and slightly over your body as you continue. The final phase of your swing, the follow-through, controls the trajectory and spin of the ball. You must follow through with your paddle pointing up and slightly over your body in order to make a lob shot.
This will help you maintain control and accuracy of the shot. Don’t stop or chop your swing abruptly, as this will affect the quality and consistency of the shot.
Some tips to improve your lob shot technique are:
- Use your wrist and forearm to generate spin and height on the ball, rather than your shoulder or elbow. This will give you more control and finesse over the shot.
- Depending on the circumstance and the positioning of your opponent, adjust the speed and angle of your lob shot. Depending on what works best for you, you can hit a rapid or slow lob shot, a straight or slanted lob shot, or a high or low lob shot.
- Practise making lob shots from various spots on the court and using various balls (indoor or outdoor). You’ll be able to adapt to various situations and conditions as a result.
- Don’t overuse the lob shot or become predictable with it. Mix it up with other shots such as drop shots, drives or volleys.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hitting a Lob Shot in Pickleball
The lob shot can be a highly powerful tool in pickleball, but if you commit several common errors, it can also backfire. Before making a lob shot, keep the following in mind:
- Hitting the ball too low or too flat, will make it simple for your opponent to slam the ball back at you. You must swing upward with an open face and strike the ball below your waist to avoid this.
- Hitting the ball too high or too low, gives your opponent the opportunity to recover and make a strong return. You must strike the ball with enough force and spin to propel it far enough to escape this.
- Hitting the ball out of bounds or into the net will result in a loss of a point or an easy serve for your opponent. You must aim for a deep target with a high trajectory, preferably close to the court’s corners, to prevent this.
- Trying to hit the ball too close to the net or when your opponent is already at the net can lower your margin for error and increase your chance of being struck by the ball. To prevent this, you must take up position behind the non-volley zone line and wait for the ideal moment to launch a lob shot.
How to Defend Against a Lob Shot in Pickleball: Strategies and Skills
Sometimes, you may find yourself on the receiving end of a lob shot from your opponent. In that case, you need to know how to defend against it and turn it into an opportunity. Here are some steps to follow:
- Keep your eyes on the ball and track its trajectory
- Move back quickly and get behind the ball
- Use a continental grip or a slightly modified forehand or backhand grip
- Swing your paddle back high and behind your head
- Step forward with your front foot as you swing your paddle forward and down
- Hit the ball with a closed paddle face and a slight downward angle
- Follow through low and across your body
- Aim for the ball to land near the feet of your opponent or in an open space
- Adjust your swing speed and angle depending on the wind, height of the net, distance from the ball and position of your opponent
To practice defending against a lob shot, you can use a ball machine, a partner or a wall. Start with slow and easy lobs from near the net, and gradually increase the speed and difficulty.
Try to hit different types of smashes, such as forehand, backhand, cross-court, down-the-line, etc. Pay attention to how the ball travels in the air and bounces on the ground. Aim for power and precision.
Lob Shot Drills and Exercises to Improve Your Pickleball Game
One of the best ways to improve your lob shot skills is to practice them regularly with a partner or a coach. Here are some drills and exercises that you can do to practice your lob shot skills:
- Lob shot rally: With a partner, take turns hitting lob shots to each other from behind the non-volley zone line. Try to keep the rally going as long as possible without hitting the ball out or into the net. You can also add some variation by hitting different types of lob shots (high, low, fast, slow, angled, straight, etc.)
- Lob shot accuracy: With a partner or a coach, set up some targets (such as cones, buckets or hoops) near the baseline of the opposite court. Try to hit your lob shots into the targets from behind the non-volley zone line. You can also challenge yourself by increasing the distance or decreasing the size of the targets.
- Lob shot defense: Get your teammates or coach to lob passes to you from behind the non-volley zone line. Attempt to counter their attacks by returning the favor by hitting them with ground or overhead smashes. Moving back and forth between shots will help you improve your footwork and positioning.
- Lob shot game: Play a game where you can only score points by launching lob shots with a partner or a coach. The standard pickleball rules apply whether you play singles or doubles. The only distinction is that you have to attempt a lob shot each and every time. This will assist you in developing your lob shot strategy and decision-making.
FAQs
For a number of reasons, the pickleball lob stroke can alter the course of a match. By altering the velocity and direction of the ball, you can throw off your opponent’s plan of attack, create an opening to reposition and recover control of the court, and force your adversaries out of their preferred positions. It’s a flexible shot that may spice up your games with diversity and strategy.
Yes, the pickleball lob shot can be an effective defensive strategy. When you are under pressure from your opponents and need time to regain control of the point or reposition yourself, a well-executed lob shot can create distance and force your opponents to move back, giving you the opportunity to reset the point and regain control of the game.
While the pickleball lob shot can be used by players of all skill levels, it requires good judgment, timing, and accuracy to execute effectively. Beginners may find it more challenging to control the trajectory and placement of the lob shot, while advanced players can use it as a strategic tool to outsmart their opponents.
Yes, the pickleball lob shot can be used in doubles play as well. In fact, it can be particularly effective in doubles as it can disrupt the opponents’ strategy, create opportunities for your partner to poach at the net, and force your opponents to move out of their optimal positions. Good communication and coordination with your partner are essential for successful pickleball lob shots in doubles play.
Conclusion
In summary, the pickleball lob shot is a flexible and potent move that can be employed in both an offensive and defensive pickleball game plan. To execute properly, it demands good judgement, timing, and accuracy, but with experience and skill improvement, it may be a useful tool in your toolbox.
The pickleball lob stroke can help you create opportunities, thwart your opponents’ plans, and improve your position on the court whether you’re a novice or an expert player. So go ahead, perfect your lob shot, and up the ante on your pickleball performance!