Lobs

[shindemac]

Lobs. When should you use lobs? Is it only used as a last resort? No! It doesn't have to be purely defensive. Some other uses:

1. Keep your opponent off-balanced. You don't need to do passing shots every time. Throw in some lobs once in a while to keep him honest. This may even surprise him, and he may be put on the defensive! This will cause him to be tentative cause he no longer knows what to expect.

2. When your opponent is hugging the net, give him a lob! This will make him pay for his aggressiveness. Sure you could pass him. But remember he has more angles and a better chance of winning the point if he is closer to the net. This will cause him to back up the next time he comes to the net, so he won't be as aggressive and lose some effectiveness. If he's stupid and persists on hugging the net, keep throwing him lobs 'till he learns.

 

[retroceso]

i hate when people lob against me. altought it does keep me away from the net. plus it's really boring

 

[golden chicken]

...if your opponent has trouble dealing with high balls or has trouble with their overheads...

 

[anonymous2364]

lobs are pretty effective at times

 

[LuckyR]

Defensive vs offensive lobs: apples vs oranges.

We all hit defensive lobs (or at least we should) when we are way off of the court and need the time to get back on the court. But plenty of singles players rarely if ever hit offensive lobs. The best lobbers are doubles players as there is (usually) a netman to lob over, which can be devastating to the other team. I guess in the modern power baseliner singles game, if your opponent never comes to the net, why do you need an offensive lob? But for those of us who play a lot of doubles or want to cultivate an all-court game, a nice deceptive topspin offensive lob is a great tool to have in the quiver.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

 

[Osteo UK]

I played today and decided to deliberately lob if I had the chance, even though my lobs are usually too short rather than too long.

My reason?

The wind was coming to me and the sun was behind me. I aimed higher and if I was short my friend/opponent had a nightmare time trying to pick out the ball in the sun. A couple he hit in (none were winners), a couple in the net and a couple he just decided to run back for.

Nice percentage play.

PS The sun appearing in the northwest of England? Must be global warming. :shock:

 

[Bungalo Bill]

The sun appearing in the northwest of England? Must be global warming. :shock:

lol, I was ab out to say! The Northwest England?

But you are an evil man to use the sun and hieght to demorilize your opponent.

 

[Osteo UK]

lol, I was ab out to say! The Northwest England?

But you are an evil man to use the sun and hieght to demorilize your opponent.

Hey... that's what friends are for. We are both about 3.5+.

... and I've actually picked up a bit of sunburn from that strange fiery ball in the sky. Ah yes, let the good times roll.

 

[Silentgunz]

i lob the ball whenever there playin at the net... all my lobs land right on the base line... they always think its goin out...

 

[papa]

Defensive vs offensive lobs: apples vs oranges.

We all hit defensive lobs (or at least we should) when we are way off of the court and need the time to get back on the court. But plenty of singles players rarely if ever hit offensive lobs. The best lobbers are doubles players as there is (usually) a netman to lob over, which can be devastating to the other team. I guess in the modern power baseliner singles game, if your opponent never comes to the net, why do you need an offensive lob? But for those of us who play a lot of doubles or want to cultivate an all-court game, a nice deceptive topspin offensive lob is a great tool to have in the quiver.

Good post. I don't think the majority of players see any difference in lobs.