The Art of the Lob: Outsmarting Your Opponent Every Time

If you’re looking to master the lob shot in pickleball, there are two simple strategies that can drastically improve your game. First, aim your lobs to your opponent’s backhand, making it harder for them to smash the ball. Many players struggle with power on their non-dominant side, giving you an advantage. Second, consider when to hit the lob. Disguising it during a dink rally, especially when your opponent expects a speed-up shot, is key to catching them off-guard and scoring easy points.

To maximize the effectiveness of your lobs, always aim over the backhand shoulder. For right-handed players on the left side, that means targeting the middle of the court. From the right side, you can take advantage of crosscourt angles, creating more space to land the shot. The best time to lob is during a dink rally, as the similar backswing keeps your opponent guessing whether you’re going to dink, lob, or speed up.

Hitting a lob off the bounce works just as well, but only if you’re balanced. Avoid lobbing when you’re stretched or off-balance. If your opponent gives you a dead dink, you can easily disguise your lob by keeping the same backswing you’d use for an aggressive shot. Your opponent will be more concerned about a speed-up, leaving them unprepared to defend against the lob, ensuring it lands where you need it.