How to Turn Lob Defense Into a Winning Play

The lob is a strong tactic in pickleball, especially when your opponent catches you off guard. But defending against a lob isn’t just about scrambling for the ball—it’s about anticipating the shot, using proper footwork, and turning the situation in your favor.

Let’s break down some techniques, common mistakes, and tips to help you defend lobs effectively and turn them into winning opportunities.

How to Anticipate and Avoid Lobs

Lobs are often easier to anticipate than players think, especially if you pay attention to your opponent’s habits and shot “tells.”

Here’s how you can stay one step ahead:

1. Read Their Body Language
   • Watch for low backswings and flat paddle angles—these are often giveaways that a lob is coming. By recognizing these movements early, you can position yourself before the ball even leaves their paddle.
2. Limit Their Lob Opportunities
   • Keep opponents deep near the baseline. Lobs are much harder to execute effectively from back there, so by keeping them back, you reduce the chances of them launching a successful lob.
   • Target Their Weakness: Most players prefer lobbing from their forehand side. Force them to hit with their backhand, making it harder for them to lob successfully​.

What to Do When the Lob Is In Play

If you weren’t able to anticipate the lob and find yourself chasing it down, don’t panic! Here’s how to manage the situation:

1. The Overhead Smash

The best way to defend against a lob is to take it out of the air with an overhead smash, but technique matters.

• Footwork First: Instead of backpedaling (which can be dangerous), rotate your body sideways like a quarterback and move towards the ball. This allows you to track the lob without losing balance.
• Paddle Position: Keep your paddle up by your ear and point your non-paddle hand at the ball for better aim and to block out the sun.
• Hit with Power and Angles: When you make contact, hit the ball out in front of you with full-arm extension. Use angles to send the ball wide, making it harder for your opponents to return​.

Watch as coach Tanner Tomassi walks you through the proper footwork and positioning:

2. Chasing Down the Lob

When the lob is too good to take out of the air, follow these steps to chase it down:

• Drop Step and Run: Quickly drop step and run toward the baseline, keeping the ball on your paddle side. This helps prepare for a stronger forehand return.
• Reset the Point: Once you’ve chased down the ball, aim for a controlled drop shot into the kitchen to reset the point and get you and your partner back to the net​.

Pro player Callie Smith demonstrates how to track down a lob and the best court position to return it effectively.

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A post shared by Callie Jo Smith (@calliejosmith_pickleball)

Lob Defense for Seniors: Key Tips for Staying Safe and Effective

Lobs can be particularly tough for senior players, especially when mobility becomes a challenge.

Here’s how seniors can safely and effectively defend against lobs:

1. Prioritize Safety
   • The biggest risk with defending lobs for seniors is the temptation to backpedal, which often leads to falls and wrist injuries. Avoid backpedaling—always turn and run to the ball instead.
2. Don’t Hug the Kitchen Line
   • If you know you’re vulnerable to lobs, consider staying a step or two back from the kitchen line. This gives you more time to react to a lob without having to run backward​.
3. Master the Short Overhead
   • Many seniors struggle with power on overhead shots. Instead of going for the lines, aim deep in the center of the court to increase consistency and avoid errors. If you can consistently place overheads deep, you’ll make opponents think twice before lobbing again​.

Turning Lobs into Offensive Opportunities

Believe it or not, a well-placed lob can be an opportunity to take control of the point. Here’s how:

1. Aggressive Overheads
   • Every lob is a chance to hit a punishing overhead. The more you practice and perfect this shot, the more hesitant your opponents will be to lob in the future. In rec play, aim to hit overheads every chance you get to build confidence.
2. Drop It in the Kitchen
   • If the overhead isn’t an option, a smart drop shot is your next best choice. Aim to drop the ball softly into your opponent’s kitchen, giving you and your partner time to move back up to the net and regain control.
3. Strategic Lob in Return
   • On the rare occasion where you’re deep and can’t hit a proper overhead or drop shot, consider lobbing it right back. A high, deep lob gives you time to reset and may catch your opponents off guard, especially if they’re not expecting it​.

3 Very Common Mistakes to Avoid When Defending Lobs

As important as it is to know what to do, it’s equally crucial to avoid these common mistakes:

1. Backpedaling
   • Backpedaling is one of the most dangerous movements in pickleball. It can lead to falls and injuries. Always turn sideways and run toward the ball instead.
2. Going for the Lines
   • Don’t try to make a highlight reel with every overhead. Instead, aim deep down the middle. A well-placed shot in the center is more consistent and often just as effective as trying to hit the lines​.
3. Staying at the Kitchen Line
   • When your partner is chasing down a lob, don’t stay stuck at the kitchen line. Drop back to match their depth and stay prepared to return the next shot​.

The Winning Lob Defense

To successfully defend against lobs, anticipation, positioning, and smart shot selection are key. Avoid backpedaling, take control with aggressive overheads, and reset the point when needed. Seniors should focus on safety first, staying a step back from the kitchen line and mastering short, accurate overheads.

Remember, defending a lob isn’t just about getting the ball back—it’s about turning that lob into an opportunity to control the game. So, next time your opponent throws one up, you’ll be ready to make them regret it!