Ever find yourself squaring off against someone who loves to lob every single shot? It’s a unique challenge, isn’t it? Whether it’s a leisurely lob at the non-volley zone or a high arc from the baseline, dealing with a player who prefers this sky-high strategy can turn a straightforward game into a mix of tedium and unpredictability.
Let’s chat about some savvy strategies for playing with or against the lobbing enthusiast in your pickleball circle—because, honestly, almost every group has one!
Getting to Know Your Friendly Neighborhood Lobber
So, what’s the deal with players who lob every chance they get? It could be all sorts of reasons.
Maybe they’re not as mobile as they used to be, or perhaps lobbing just feels safer and more comfortable for them than smashing and sprinting. For some, it’s just the way they enjoy playing the game.
Understanding these reasons can help us stay cool and collected. It’s all about playing the game they play best, and that’s totally fine. This perspective can help keep the game enjoyable and frustration at bay, no matter how the ball flies.
Tactics for Playing With a Lobber
Playing alongside a lobber can test your patience and skills. Here are a few strategies you can employ:
- Enhance Your Defensive Skills: Treat this as an opportunity to improve your defensive game. Work on those overheads, smashes, and positioning to handle the returns from your opponents. As one community member suggests, “I tell the other team to aim for me if they’re going to smash. It’s great practice!”
- Communicate and Redirect: Sometimes, guiding your partner subtly can help. Position yourself strategically to handle the returns or to subtly encourage your partner to vary their shots if they are open to it.
- Play the Long Game: If your partner’s lobs tend to stay in play, use the time it gives you to set up your next shot meticulously. This can be a good chance to practice placing your shots or setting up strategic plays.
How to Predict Lobs
Wondering how to stay one step ahead of those high-flying lobs? It’s all about anticipation and positioning. First, you’ve got to get good at reading the signs. A player who’s about to lob usually has a certain setup or stance. Maybe they’re a bit more on their heels, or their paddle angle gives it away.
Once you catch on to these cues, position yourself strategically. If you know a lob is coming, don’t crowd the net. Hang back a little so you’re in a sweet spot to either smash a return if it’s within reach, or comfortably reset if it’s a well-placed deep lob. This way, you’re not caught off-guard and scrambling back, which is exactly what the lobber wants.
Here’s some more useful tips on predicting lobs and strategizing your lob returns:
Choosing the Best Shot to Return a Lob
The key is to choose your response based on your position, the quality of the lob, and what you know about your opponents’ weaknesses. Here’s how to make the most of your return:
- Overhead Smash: This is a crowd favorite for a reason. If the lob isn’t too deep and you’re in a good position, unleash an overhead smash. Remember, the key to a great smash is not just power but also placement.
- Drop Shot: If the lob pulls you farther back and you’re not in a good position to smash, consider a soft drop shot. Aim to place the ball just over the net in the non-volley zone, making it difficult for your opponents to return with any force.
- Lob Return: Sometimes, fighting fire with fire works. Returning a lob with another lob can be effective, especially if your opponents are aggressively close to the net. This can push them back and reset the point, giving you time to regain your position and readiness.
- Drive: For those who are comfortable with more forceful shots, a powerful drive can be a good response to a mid-court lob. This flat, fast shot can catch your opponents off-guard if they’re still transitioning from their own lob.
My Tips on Playing Against Lobbers
Here’s my personal take: use these matches as practice sessions. Work on those overhead smashes you’ve been hesitant to try in faster-paced games, or perfect your drop shots when the pace slows down.
From personal experience, the best way to handle a game dominated by lobs is to keep a cool head and stay versatile. If you let frustration get the best of you, you’re playing right into the lobber’s hands (or paddle, in this case). Instead, view each lob as a new opportunity to practice a different response—smash, drop, drive, or even lob it right back.
