An important tool to be sure to hone and add to your ever-expanding pickleball toolbox is the lob. A lob is a ball that is hit up, and hopefully over, your opponent’s head, causing them to have to run to a spot deep in the court to retrieve it.

For most beginner or intermediate players, the lob is considered a low-percentage shot. You must hit the lob just high enough to be out of your victim’s reach but not so high that it takes a big bounce, giving them plenty of time to get there and hit. Tough to do with only 22 feet of court. However, with the right mechanics and a little practice, you, too, can become a skilled lobber.

Here’s how it’s done: You’re dinking along patiently when suddenly your Evil Dinking Genius mind notices that your opponents don’t look ready. They may be bent too far forward at the waist, have lowered their paddle, or possibly even yawned. It’s time to lob!

Your lob stroke should look almost exactly like your dink stroke because it’s important to disguise your lobs. When you get a slightly shallow dink that you can reach under, lift it skyward with a long, pretty follow-through. Use your knees to create added lift while your paddle moves upward through the ball.

Be sure to hit your lobs with intention. Most players just think “LOB!” and hit the ball straight into the air, without much thought of where it may land. You can do better. Hit lobs to targets that you’ve selected and practiced. When possible, lob over the backhand shoulder of your opponent. Most players can’t put away a backhand overhead as well as they would a forehand.

People who lob excessively (a.k.a “lobsters”) are typically unpopular players. It can suck the fun out of a friendly match when you have to spend the entire time running back chasing lobs instead of happily dinking and volleying. We jokingly like to say, "Lobbers live alone" or "Lobsters, lose my number." You may be winning points, but don’t be shellfish if you notice your fellow players are getting crabby and seeing red. All kidding aside, lobs are an important shot to master, especially for serious competitors looking to win tournaments. After all, when you encounter a vicious lobster, the best revenge is getting even! (We prefer ours dipped in garlic butter.)

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