Tennis – What are the best ways to practice my lob returns?
The lob return is not a defensive act of desperation. It is a calculated tactical strike used to punish net-rushers. When your opponent serves and charges the net, they rely on your discomfort to end the point quickly. By mastering the lob return, you force them to move backward, which is the most difficult position to defend in tennis. Think of this shot as an elevator: you are simply lifting the ball over the obstacle rather than trying to hit through it.
Mechanical Basics: Your Racket as a Lever
Success starts with a compact movement. If you use a full backswing, you lose the time required to adjust to a fast serve. Treat your arm like a door hinge: keep the motion limited to your shoulder and avoid excessive wrist movement.
- The Grip: Use a continental grip. This allows you to open the racket face easily without changing your hand position during the split-second of the serve.
- The Racket Path: You are not hitting through the ball. Instead, think of ‘cupping’ the underside of the ball. Imagine you are trying to scoop a ball out of a deep bucket.
- The Follow-Through: Finish high, pointing your strings toward the sky. If you stop your follow-through at contact, the ball will hit the net. The follow-through is the gas pedal that dictates the ball’s arc.
Choosing Your Trajectory: The Lift vs. The Slice
Many players struggle to choose between a topspin lob and a slice lob. Your choice should depend entirely on your opponent’s position and the bounce you want to create.
- The Topspin Lob (The Lift): Use this when the opponent is close to the net. It creates a high, dipping trajectory that forces the ball to bounce away from them. It is aggressive and hard to track.
- The Slice Lob (The Cut): Use this when you have less time or need to slow the game down. The slice causes the ball to ‘skid’ or die when it hits the court. This makes it difficult for a net-rusher to get under the ball for a clean smash.
Match-Specific Scenarios: When to Execute
Do not decide to lob as you are hitting the ball. You must make the decision the moment the opponent commits to their forward movement. If you see their back foot dragging or their eyes locked on the net, they are vulnerable.
- The Second Serve Opportunity: Most club players play safe on second serves. If your opponent hits a weak second serve, take a step inside the baseline. This extra distance allows you to lob with more control and less effort.
- Defending the Serve and Volley: If your opponent is an aggressive volleyer, do not drive the ball at their feet every time. That is what they expect. Lob once to force them to retreat, then mix in a hard drive the next time. They will begin to hesitate at the service line, which is exactly where you want them.
Drills to Build Muscle Memory
Drills must simulate match pressure to be effective. Do not just hit balls from a basket.
- The 3-Ball Transition Drill: Have your partner serve and come to the net. You must hit two shots to their feet, and on the third, execute a lob. This trains your brain to anticipate the right moment rather than just lobbing randomly.
- The Backwards Drill: Stand at the baseline. Have your partner hit lobs over your head. You must turn, run back, and hit a lob return. This forces you to understand how to recover from a bad position using the lob.
Common Mistakes and Field Adjustments
A common error is pushing the ball with the arm. If you do not use your legs to drive upward, the ball will hang in the air, creating a sitter for an overhead smash. Use your legs as the primary engine and your arm as the guide.
- Ignoring the Wind: If you hit a lob against the wind, add 20% more force. If you hit with the wind, use more spin and less pace. The wind acts as a blanket that will kill a soft lob.
- The Predictability Trap: If you only lob when you are in trouble, your opponent will anticipate it. The best lob is the one that looks exactly like a standard groundstroke return until the final fraction of a second.
Final Professional Advice
Do not overthink the result. A missed lob is better than a predictable shot that sets up your opponent’s winner. Aim for the corners of the back half of the court. When you see your opponent scrambling backward, you have already won the tactical battle. Stay committed to the swing, finish high, and keep your composure.
Content updated on 2026-09-21
