The lob sounds like the loop, but that's where the similarity ends. There are basically two types of lobs, the Defensive Lob and the Offensive one. Let's start when it's defensive.
We all know that the defensive lob is hit when a player is in trouble and on the total defense. It can accomplish one of two things, first, even if the opponent is on the baseline, it gives Colindy(ph) time to recover into position.
Second, if the opponent is at the net, it can move them back off the net or at the very least, have a difficult overhead. Here is one progression to try out to develop effective defensive lobs. Take a look.
The first issue is to correctly set the racket angle in an open position. This is where the skills learned in program number one of this series, again, pay big dividends. Here Colindy is demonstrating how one grip, the Continental grip, opens the racket face to the same angle on both the forehand and backhand sides.
The second step is to lift the Mini Tennis shot higher over the net. Colindy is accomplishing this task by finishing with both her racket hand and her racket head above her head. She holds it in that position until the ball reaches the highest point of its arc.
If needed, you can also insert a foam arrow as we have done, to help her visualize the shot. Step number three is to add reality to the skill. What's reality when lobbing? Running like hack, of course, otherwise at least most of the time, why would anyone hit a defensive lob in the first place.
Since moving and hitting can be challenging, we start her off still in the surface boxes. Finally, when she is more comfortable with moving and lobbing, she moves back to the baseline. Take though, that she is still checking that her racket head and her racket hand finish well above her head. Good job, Colindy!
The second type of lob is called the Offensive Lob, but really it's almost like the topspin looper we demonstrated at the start of this program. There are only two differences. First, it's hit when your opponent is at the net and putting pressure on you and they are very close to the net and you don't feel that comfortable hitting a passing shot.
Second, its hit with a counter punching, this is my last shot of the point mentality. In that way it's close to the passing shot. Either way, you have got to hit a winner or lose the point. Here Colindy is demonstrating her topspin lob. If you watch these shots side by side with her high loopers, you would see that they are almost identical.
Only one word of caution, in a match just be sure to mix things up. Go for some passing shots as well and also hit low at your opponent's feet. You want them to be leaning forwards when you wait for that critical moment to hit your topspin lob winner, that they have no chance of reaching or retrieving.
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