When playing tennis the lob can be one of the most reliable offensive and defensive shots in one’s repertoire if used properly. It can be used defensively when hit high enough to give a player time to get back into position, or offensively when hit just over an aggressive opponent who hugs the net too tightly.
When hitting a defensive lob, I do not hold a standard groundstroke grip. Instead, I change to my volley grip, which opens my racket face and lets me it a higher ball with slight under spin. I use this lob when my opponent has made me reach or put me on the run so that I am out of position. By hitting a high lob, I am able to get back into position to stay in the point. Once I get back into position, I will continue lobbing until I am neither reaching nor running.
When hitting an offensive or topspin lob, I hold my standard forehand or backhand grip. My intent is to hit a shot with just over my opponent’s racket with some spin to keep the ball in the court. I use the offensive lob as a crippling blow to my opponent. I am trying to end the point with a lob winner, or force my opponent to hit such a weak shot that I can pound a groundstroke winner off the next ball.
Two variables to consider when employing lobs are wind and sun. I am more apt to hit defensive lobs when hitting down wind, and offensive lobs into the wind. This is because the high defensive lobs will tend to carry deeper with the wind, and lower offensive lobs will tend to drop into the court just over my opponent when hit into the wind. Additionally, I tend to lob more when my opponent must look into the sun rather than away from the sun. Nobody at any level finds it easy to hit an overhead when blinded by the sun.
The next time you play a match, take note of the wind direction and sun position, and employ offensive and defensive lobs to your advantage.
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