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When is the lob the wrong shot from the back?
Do not lob a pair that is already at the back. Hit deep and firm, and take the net yourselves.
The lob is the default from the back. Name the situation where it is clearly wrong.
Do not lob a pair that is already at the back. Hit deep and firm, and take the net yourselves.
Why
The lob exists to move the opponents away from the net. When both of them are already deep, after their own defensive lob, or because they have not come forward: a lob does nothing useful: it gives a deep pair a comfortable ball and the time to advance behind their reply. In that situation the priority is to take the net first, with a firm, deep ball through the middle or to the feet of whoever is moving, and to advance together behind it. Four players at the back is a race, and the pair that lobs loses the race.
What this means at your level
Beginner
If both opponents are at the back, do not lob. Hit the ball deep and walk forward with your partner.
Intermediate
The deep ball through the middle splits a pair at the back and gives you the two steps you need. Firm, not hard.
Advanced
Against a pair that stays back on purpose, the short angle that dies before the side glass is the second option. It drags one of them forward and splits them.
Common questions
The lob is the default from the back. Name the situation where it is clearly wrong.
When both opponents are already at the back. Do not lob a pair that is already at the back. Hit deep and firm, and take the net yourselves. The lob exists to move the opponents away from the net. When both of them are already deep, after their own defensive lob, or because they have not come forward: a lob does nothing useful: it gives a deep pair a comfortable ball and the time to advance behind their reply. In that situation the priority is to take the net first, with a firm, deep ball through the middle or to the feet of whoever is moving, and to advance together behind it. Four players at the back is a race, and the pair that lobs loses the race.
Why not when you are under pressure?
Under pressure the high lob is usually the right shot. It resets the point.
What should a beginner do here?
If both opponents are at the back, do not lob. Hit the ball deep and walk forward with your partner.
How does this change for an advanced player?
Against a pair that stays back on purpose, the short angle that dies before the side glass is the second option. It drags one of them forward and splits them.
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.
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.
advancedThey are camped at the net and you cannot lob. What now?
If you cannot lift it over them, make them lift it for you. The chiquita is a slow ball at their feet.