What Is a Pickleball Lob Shot?
The pickleball lob shot is a high, arching stroke designed to go over your opponent’s head and land near the baseline. This forces them to retreat, taking away their dominant position at the net. When executed well, the lob shot makes your opponent choose between:
- Attempting an overhead smash from a difficult angle.
- Allowing the ball to land and playing it off the bounce.
While the lob is often seen as a last-resort shot, the lob can be surprisingly effective in specific situations, forcing your opponents to give up their net position.
When to Use the Pickleball Lob Shot
The illustration below shows a player hitting a lob shot over the head of their opponent.
Knowing when to use the lob shot is critical. Here are some scenarios where you might consider using it:
- Deep Return of Serve
If you’re facing a fast, deep return and can’t set up for a third-shot drop or drive, try a deep lob shot. This forces your opponents to retreat. This is a tough shot to get it deep enough. Skilled players will chase down anything less than perfect for an overhead smash. - Short Return of Serve
When scrambling to reach a short return of serve, you might not have time to set up for a drive or drop shot. Instead, scoop the ball into a high lob over your opponent’s head. This is especially useful when lunging forward just to reach the ball. - Drop Shot Fake
Deception is key in pickleball. Fake a drop shot and then, with the same motion, follow through to lift the ball into a lob. This catches your opponent off guard, especially if they are anticipating a drop shot. - Lob Shot Reset
When pushed into the transition zone and your opponents are dominating the kitchen line, use a lob shot to reset the point. A deep lob buys you time and forces your opponents to back away from the net. - Dink Fake Lob
During a cross-court dinking exchange, surprise your opponent by lofting the ball over their head instead of hitting another dink. This dink fake lob pushes them off the kitchen line, giving you control of the point.
When It’s a Good Lob
A successful lob shot achieves two key objectives:
- Forces your opponent to retreat: A deep lob puts them on the defensive, breaking their net dominance.
- Gives you time to advance: If the lob bounces deep, move quickly to the kitchen line to take control of the net and the rally.
Pro Tip: Don’t view the lob as purely defensive—it can be a strategic offensive play. If your opponents let it bounce deep, use that opportunity to take control of the net.
How to Defend Against a Poor Lob
Not all lob shots will be perfect, and skilled opponents will counter with an aggressive smash. Here’s how to prepare for the smash.
Get Low and Step Back: Brace yourself for the smash and position yourself to react quickly.
Keep Your Eyes on the Paddle: Watch your opponent’s paddle angle to predict where the smash is heading.
Return with a Drop Shot: If possible, counter the smash with a soft drop shot to slow the game down. If you can’t play a drop shot because the smash is fast and powerful, focus on returning the ball over the net any way you can.
Good Lob Shot Scenario
The illustration below shows a good lob going over the head of your opponent and you and your partner moving forward to get to the kitchen line. Getting to the kitchen line is your objective with the third shot and you have done it using the lob.
A perfectly executed lob shot can put you on the offensive:
- Your lob clears your opponent’s head.
- Their partner retreats to return it.
- As the ball bounces deep, you and your partner move to the kitchen line, ready to dominate the next exchange.
This scenario highlights how the lob can transition from defense to offense, provided it’s well-placed and your opponents can’t attack it with a smash shot.
Key Takeaways: Using the Lob Shot Effectively
- Use Sparingly: The pickleball lob shot is best used as a change-up. Overusing it, especially as a third shot, makes it predictable and easy to counter.
- Beware of Skilled Opponents: Novice players may struggle to handle lobs, but experienced players with good mobility will likely track them down and smash them back.
- Capitalize on Success: When your lob lands deep and forces your opponents to retreat, seize the opportunity to advance to the net and take control.
The lob shot may not be your primary weapon in pickleball but mastering it can add versatility to your pickleball game and help you regain control of a point.
Video on Lob Shot technique
Courtesy of Deb Harrison (PicklePongDeb)
Watch this video on the Pickleball Lob Shot on Youtube.