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A deep lob comes off your glass. Bajada or lob back: how do you decide?
Bajada when the ball comes off high and they are close to the net. Lob when it comes off low or they are deep.
Their lob was deep, you let it bounce, and it is coming off the back glass. In the moment, what tells you whether to attack with a bajada or lob back?
Bajada when the ball comes off high and they are close to the net. Lob when it comes off low or they are deep.
Why
The choice between the bajada and the lob off the glass is made in about half a second, from two things. First, the height of the rebound: a ball that comes off at chest height or above can be driven flat and low; one that comes off at the knees cannot. Second, the opponents' depth: a firm drive at net players two metres from the net has to be volleyed from below their shoulders, which is hard; the same ball at net players three and a half metres back is an easy volley. High rebound plus close opponents means bajada; anything else means lob and reset.
What this means at your level
Beginner
For now, lob it back. The bajada is a shot to add once the wall play is comfortable.
Intermediate
If the ball comes off the wall above your waist and they are close to the net, try the firm drive at their feet. Otherwise, lob.
Advanced
The best bajada is disguised as a lob until the last moment. Same preparation, different contact; the net players cannot set up early.
Common questions
Their lob was deep, you let it bounce, and it is coming off the back glass. In the moment, what tells you whether to attack with a bajada or lob back?
The rebound height, and how close they are to the net. Bajada when the ball comes off high and they are close to the net. Lob when it comes off low or they are deep. The choice between the bajada and the lob off the glass is made in about half a second, from two things. First, the height of the rebound: a ball that comes off at chest height or above can be driven flat and low; one that comes off at the knees cannot. Second, the opponents' depth: a firm drive at net players two metres from the net has to be volleyed from below their shoulders, which is hard; the same ball at net players three and a half metres back is an easy volley. High rebound plus close opponents means bajada; anything else means lob and reset.
Why not only your own confidence?
Confidence on a low ball produces a bajada into the net. Read the ball and their position.
What should a beginner do here?
For now, lob it back. The bajada is a shot to add once the wall play is comfortable.
How does this change for an advanced player?
The best bajada is disguised as a lob until the last moment. Same preparation, different contact; the net players cannot set up early.
Puzzles like this one
Both of them are at the net. What is the highest-percentage ball?
Only the lob moves a net pair backwards. Everything else invites them forward.
beginnerThe ball is coming off the back glass. When do you hit it?
Move back with the ball, let it pass you, hit it in front of your body.
intermediateWhat do you do with the return of serve?
The return lob is how the receiving pair steals the net. Aim over the player who is still moving.