11 Ways to Improve Your Lob Shot in Pickleball
Like the dink, the lob shot is either loved or loathed by most pickleball players. Typically, those who love it are the ones who use it, and those who don't use it should start. It's a shot that needs to be in everyone's tool belt because of its flexibility and how quickly it can alter a match.
This is why today's article is about how you can improve your lob shot in pickleball.
First, let's go over what a lob shot is.
What is a Lob Shot?
A lob is a lofted shot with a high trajectory. Typically, when players hit one, they do so with an open face paddle to help lift it into the air.
It's often used for two reasons:
To move your opponent back off the non-volley zone (NVZ) line.
To buy yourself some time to get in a better position.
The first reason is considered an offensive move, and the second is more defensive. When it's used against someone who likes to drive the ball or play a fast-paced game, lob shots force them to slow down and stay back more than they want to. This is part of the reason it frustrates so many.
For more information on the lob and its uses, check out Change My View: The Lob is Underutilized in Competitive Play.
Now, let's get into those tips.
Tip #1 - Have a Soft, Relaxed Grip
Everything about the lob requires touch and finesse. And that touch begins with a soft, relaxed grip. On a scale of 1-10, you'll want your grip to be around a 3 for a lob shot. Anything harder, and you'll put too much power on the ball, causing it to either go out or set your opponent up for an easier return.
Tip #2 - Minimize Your Backswing
Depending on where you are on the court and where you want the ball to land, you should minimize your backswing as much as you can. Similar to grip strength, this allows you to loft the ball with the proper speed instead of lowering its trajectory like you would a drive.
Tip #3 - Stay Low
As is the case in most pickleball shots, you want to stay low to the ground with your body and your paddle. Contact needs to happen directly underneath the ball, and the only way to accomplish that is to get your paddle as low as possible.
Tip #4 - Make Contact in Front of the Body
Imagine shoveling snow. When you shovel snow, you don't really want to dig down vertically as much as you want to keep the shovel flat and in front of you. You almost want to collect it rather than shovel it. It's similar to the lob shot. You need to keep the paddle in front of your body, keep it flat, and collect the ball rather than strike it. Keeping your body in front helps you keep your paddle flat.
Tip #5 - Lift Through the Ball
You may be wondering, "If I can't strike at the ball and I'm not supposed to have a backswing, how the heck do I put power into it?" Great question! You use your lower body and your legs to lift through the ball. Imagine squatting down. To get back up, you have to drive power through your legs. It's the exact source of power that helps you hit the lob shot. Instead of swinging with your shoulder, push off the ground through your feet and legs.
Tip #6 - Pick Your Spot
No shot in pickleball is perfect to use in every situation. Instead, you want to find the right spot to utilize the lob so that it puts as much pressure on your opponent as possible (offensive). Or gives you as much time as possible to get into a better position (defensive).
Some of the best times to use a lob shot are:
● When your opponent is at the NVZ line, and you want to push them back off of it
● When you think you can lob it over your opponent's head for a score
● To change the pace of play, especially if your opponent's aggressiveness is forcing you to play a more defensive game
● If your opponent is out of position or has run themselves off the court
● The sun or wind is favorable on your side of the court
● You haven't hit a lofted shot in a while
Of course, there are other times to use it as well, but just looking at this list, you can see how effective it can be in many situations.
Tip #7 - Use it for Offense
We've mentioned that it can be used for offense and defense. When using offensively, the goal is to put the ball in a spot that your opponent can't get to. Like when they are too close to the net or too far on one side of the court. You can also use it offensively if you notice that your opponent struggles with shots over their heads or chasing after balls. Be warned, though, you may make some enemies in recreational play very quickly.
Tip #8 - Use it for Defense
Defensively, it's a weapon too. But, the mentality changes a bit. Instead of trying to score or take advantage of an opponent's weakness, you're actually just trying to buy yourself more time. Let's say your opponent is up at the NVZ line, but you're struggling to move up yourself. A well-timed lob to the baseline will force them back and give you time to work your way up. This is one of the reasons that lobs are used often instead of drives on third shots. If you're a player who likes to play in the kitchen area, then you may need to find a way to get up there against an aggressive opponent.
Changing the game's pace can also work for you defensively, especially if you haven't attempted a lob all game. You can alter what your opponent is anticipating and put another shot possibility into their mind. They have to second guess how quickly they move around the court.
Tip #9 - When to Avoid It
Using a lob shot too often is an excellent way to get yourself in trouble. Not only does it become predictable, but a poorly placed lob shot can lead to an easy putaway. If you are playing against a tall opponent or someone with good reach, they may be able to smack it down out of the air. If your opponent is anticipating a lob, they can drive the ball back at you with the extra time they have to get into a good position themselves.
Basically, if you attempt a few lob shots and they don't work out for you, it might be time to put it away or try it again much later in the match.
Tip #10 - Move the Shot Around
No shot can be effective 100% of the time. But, what's even more ineffective is hitting a shot in the same spot over and over again. Move it around to keep your opponent guessing. Hit it left, right, deep or shallow (though that's more like a dink shot). Never let your opponent get comfortable.
Tip #11 - Practice
Practice makes perfect, and if you're going to use the lob shot well, you need to perfect it. Try it in matches, but also practice it in between.
Fortunately, we've provided you with plenty to work on.
Adding another shot to your pickleball arsenal can be fun. We hope these tips help you frustrate your opponents and win more pickleball matches.
