In tennis the lob is a rescue shot. In padel it is the most important shot in the game. The team at the net holds the advantage, and the lob is the main way to take that advantage away. A good lob pushes the opponents back, forces them to play a defensive overhead and gives you time to reach the net yourself. A bad lob, short and low, hands them an easy smash.

What makes a good lob

There are three qualities to aim for:

Height. High enough that the net players cannot reach it with a simple overhead from where they stand. As a rule, aim for at least twice the height of the back fence at the top of its arc.
Depth. Landing in the last two metres of the opponents' court, so they have to turn and chase it or play a defensive bandeja.
Direction. Towards the side or corner, usually over the opponent's backhand side, rather than straight down the middle.

A lob that achieves all three is very hard to attack. A lob that achieves two of the three is usually good enough.

The technique

Preparation. Use a continental grip. Prepare the racket low, below the ball, with an open face. Your knees should be bent and your weight on the back foot.

Contact. Make contact in front of your body, slightly below waist height. The racket face should be open, angled upwards at about 45 degrees.

The swing. Swing from low to high with a long, smooth motion, lifting the ball rather than hitting it. Keep your wrist firm. The follow-through should finish high, with the racket pointing towards the sky.

Weight transfer. Move your weight from back foot to front foot through the shot. This gives you control of the depth.

Tactical lobbing

Lob the backhand side. Most players are weaker on the overhead from their backhand side. For a right-handed opponent on the left side, a lob over their left shoulder is particularly effective.

Lob down the line. A lob down the line travels a shorter distance than one cross court, so it reaches the back of the court more quickly and gives the opponent less time.

Lob when they are close to the net. The closer the opponents, the harder it is for them to reach a lob. A good chiquita followed by a lob is a classic combination.

Lob from the back glass. When the ball comes off the back glass, you have time and a good position. It is an ideal moment for a lob.

Vary the height. A lower, faster lob, sometimes called a globo bajo, can surprise opponents who are expecting a high ball. Use it sparingly.

Common mistakes

Too short. The most common error. A short lob is an invitation to smash. If in doubt, hit higher and deeper.

Too low. A lob without enough height can be intercepted at the net.

No disguise. If you prepare for a lob with an obviously open racket face, opponents will read it. Try to prepare in the same way for a lob as for a low drive.

Lobbing in the wind. Outdoors, a headwind will push the lob back and a tailwind will carry it long. Adjust your height and depth to the conditions.

A drill to practise

One player stands at the net, the other at the back. The back player lobs, the net player lets the ball pass and does not attempt a smash. The back player scores a point every time the lob lands in the last two metres of the court. After twenty lobs, swap roles. Then play points where the net team can only smash if the lob lands in front of the service line.

The best amateur players lob more than you think. Once you trust your lob, you will find yourself winning more of the long points and spending more time at the net.

The lob is not a surrender: how to play the globo with purpose