Slice Lobs

[Camilio Pascual]

There was a discussion on the old board that made me wonder if any of you use slice (not flat) lobs. I especially like to hit a BH slice lob crosscourt, especially outdoors with a little breeze blowing from right to left. In a strong breeze, opponents tell me it hits with topspin on the court. Anybody else do this?

[python]

You know the idea sounds great, Camilio, but I've never been able to hit this shot on purpose with good effect. I actually think it's a tougher shot to execute than a plain jane topspin lob.

[Camilio Pascual]

You're right, Python, I have to be careful to pick the right ball to hit, but it sure is fun.

[Max G.]

I have a slice backhand, and my default lob on that side is with slice; I have a really good topspin lob, but only when I have time to set up.

It works well against guys that aren't perfectly comfortable at net - very well. Kind of difficult, not too much margin for error, but it works.

[WW Volley]

I also use the slice lob, but typically out of desperation more than fuction.

When I'm being pulled out wide I'll throw it up to try to give myself some time. Sometimes the spin will throw them off and allow me to get another crack at the ball.

Definately not to my "go to" shot, but something I couldn't play without!

[jayserinos99]

Against some types of players, I'll use this shot a lot, especially in doubles off of the return. Once they wisen up to that shot, then that would open up my return game a bit more.

[WW Volley]

Originally Posted by jayserinos99

Against some types of players, I'll use this shot a lot, especially in doubles off of the return. Once they wisen up to that shot, then that would open up my return game a bit more.

Great point, jayserinos99. I use it a lot in doubles.

[@wright]

I use it often on the backhand side, it's easier for me to control than a topspin lob, but it's also less likely you'll get an outright winner off a slice lob.

[Momo]

Although I think the topspin lob is safer, more offensive, and preferable in most cases, the slice lob has it's place.

I use slice lob when I get pulled wide on BH side like WW Volley as well. It's a purely defensive shot to force the opponent to hit an extra ball to finish you off. It takes very little time and movement to pull off. Assuming you step across your body to reach for it, as you extend your arm to the ball, that action automatically puts backspin on the ball because of the open face of the racquet cutting past the bottom of the ball. I use SW forhand grip and if you try to hit the ball on the backhand side with that (or other closed forehand) grip, you'll notice the racquet is already quite open, so I dont need to change grips when going for a backhand slice lob. In conclusion, basically all you have to do to hit a BH slice lob is to stick your racquet out at the ball with a firm wrist, as opposed to worrying about taking your racquet back and getting a good swing up on the ball for the topspin lob. Sure it's harder than it sounds and it'll take practice to get decent with placement, but in the mentioned situation, it's the better option. (Even if you throw up a sitter, if you got good backspin on the ball, it could make the ball pop off the opponent's racquets downward, helping him to hit his easy overhead into the net.)

Sometimes I'll use a forehand slice lob if both the opponent and I get into a volley rally close up at net. Like the backhand slice lob, it takes less body movement and preparation than a topspin lob and it looks deceptively similar to just another routine slice volley... until it innocently slips over their heads and past them. Never have I made a lob volley where the look on the opponents face wasn't priceless.

I play tennis for the creativity, shotmaking, and fun of it, and a slice lob is a nice, but probably not necessary, option to have to keep the exciting rallys last longer.

[Cypo]

Would one of you explain to me how to hit an s-lob ? I keep trying to imagine it, but all I can come up with is a regular tossing up the ball sort of lob where you slide the racquet out in front as well. Doesn't sound quite like it though. Thanks

[WW Volley]

Originally Posted by Cypo

Would one of you explain to me how to hit an s-lob ? I keep trying to imagine it, but all I can come up with is a regular tossing up the ball sort of lob where you slide the racquet out in front as well. Doesn't sound quite like it though. Thanks

The best way I can explain it, Cypo, is by saying this...

You know when you hit a BAD slice that floats over the net and sits up in one place and does NOT skid and stay low? Well imagine the slice lob at the ultimate bad slice that goes way up in the air. It's a lob with backspin that kind of "hangs" in the air and when it hits doesn't move forward but kind of dies in that one spot.

Would anybody else say that's an accurate description?

[Plawan]

Slice lob trajectory looks similar to one from throwing a frisbee that swerves up and hangs at the apex before drops almost vertically down to the ground.

[zpr1872]

Fabrice Santoro has probably the best slice lob out there today. Its great.

[bluestreak711]

Originally Posted by python

You know the idea sounds great, Camilio, but I've never been able to hit this shot on purpose with good effect. I actually think it's a tougher shot to execute than a plain jane topspin lob.

heck no a slice lob is much eaiser when i first discovered back spin all my shots were lobs until i turned my torso as i hit the shot

so just try this position yourself sideways for a normal slice but don't move your torso(or body)into the shot just keep it sideways and take the normal swing

this is how it works for me and it should work for others because when i see pros take an offensive slice they turn their torso in the shot but if you don't turn into the shot its a moon ball with back spin and if you get it high enough it is a lob

[bluestreak711]

Originally Posted by Cypo

Would one of you explain to me how to hit an s-lob ? I keep trying to imagine it, but all I can come up with is a regular tossing up the ball sort of lob where you slide the racquet out in front as well. Doesn't sound quite like it though. Thanks

i just explained it in the post above but its very simple

in an normal offensive slice ok you set up sideways,you slice and turn your torso while hitting the shot

for a lob your dont turn you body in the shot and it ends up a moon ball and then you practice it a bit until you get it like you want it

[tennis_hand]

Only used in emergency: no time to set up passing shot and no time for topspin lob.

and it needs to land deep, otherwise it will be a mid-court sitter and waiting to be slammed to death.

[Andres]

Depends on the conditions, but I use it almost as much as a topspin lob, but only on the backhand. But I try to add some sidespin, to make it, at least, curve in the air. Pretty muchthe same curve than a skidding slice backhand, but on the air.

[Ripper]

Federer did a very nice one today against Ferrero, at Hamburg. I do this quite frequently. Some say it's not easy, but I don't find it difficult.

PS. This is a very old thread

[Dangus]

Omg 2004...

[spadesss]

for me, back hand slice lob is hard, usually ended up to short and low, making it easy overhead shot for the guy at the net.
forehand is easier and i do use it on rare occasions.
try to stay away from slice lobs as the chances of succeding is very low.
topspin lob is the shot i try a lot and have had more success on it.

2004. i may have picked up my racket no more than 10 times that year.