How To Hit The Tennis Lob - A Beginner's Guide
The tennis lob is a great shot to have in your arsenal, especially if you're playing against someone who likes to come to the net. But what is a tennis lob, and how do you hit one? In this beginner's guide, we'll answer those questions and more.
What Is A Tennis Lob?
A tennis lob is a high-arcing shot that goes over the head of your opponent and lands just inside the baseline. The purpose of the lob is to make the opponent run backwards to retrieve the ball, which gives you time to get back into position. Better still, if you are able to hit a lob with sufficient pace for an outright winner!
How To Hit A Tennis Lob
The key thing to a good lob is to hit the ball with a more open racket face, as you want to get sufficient height on the ball so that it goes over the head of your opponent. The next thing to remember is to apply sufficient topspin to enable the ball to dip sharply back into the court close to the baseline.
When Should You Use A Tennis Lob?
A tennis lob is most effective when your opponent is at the net. If they're sitting back, you're better off hitting a groundstroke. You should also use a lob when you're in trouble - for example, if you're caught in the corner or far behind the baseline. Hitting a lob will enable you to get back into position, as the ball takes more time to travel high and far on your opponent’s side of the court.
The tennis lob is a great shot to have in your toolkit, especially when playing against someone who likes to come to the net. By understanding when and how to hit this shot, you can keep your opponents guessing and improve your chances of winning points. Give it a try next time you're on the court!
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About The Author
Darren Teo is the founder of Play! Tennis, the most Google reviewed tennis academy in Singapore. His passion for making tennis accessible to everyone regardless of their age, experience and ability continues to drive his work at the school. He is a thought leader in LinkedIn with 14,000 followers.