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Lob

Tennis / Popular

Hit offensive and defensive lobs over the net player.

What coaches agree on

  • For the topspin lob, drop your racket head well below the ball and swing steeply from low to high, brushing up through contact to generate topspin and loft.
  • On a defensive lob, prioritize height over precision - clearing your opponent matters more than landing the ball deep or perfectly placed.
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  • Pick your lob by the ball you're given: hit a topspin lob off a ball that sits up higher and slower, and switch to a slice or defensive lob when the ball is low, fast, or you're stretched wide.
  • Hit the slice or defensive lob with a continental grip.

Common mistakes

  • On the slice or defensive lob, flicking the wrist or chopping down hard at the ball instead of keeping the wrist stable and lifting smoothly with the shoulder and legs.
  • Crowding the net right after hitting a lob instead of holding up around the service line, which leaves you out of position when the return comes back as another lob.