The lob is one of padel’s most important tactical weapons. It creates time, moves opponents away from the net and gives the defending pair an opportunity to change court position.
The PSA system includes six lobs: raining, fast and backspin variations from both the forehand and backhand sides.
A lob should be selected for a purpose. Height, speed and spin change the opponent’s contact and the time available to advance.
The raining lob
The raining lob uses greater height and time. It can reset a difficult defensive situation, allow both partners to recover and force the net team to move backward under the ball.
Lift through the ball with a relaxed action and prioritize height before depth. A low attempt that lands deep can still be attacked.
The fast lob
The fast lob travels on a lower, quicker arc. It can surprise opponents who are close to the net or slow to turn, but it offers less margin above their reach.
Use it from balance and with a clear target. Speed without sufficient height becomes an easy overhead.
The backspin lob
Backspin changes the flight and can reduce the forward jump after the bounce. It is useful for disguise and depth control when the player has the touch to execute it.
The racket travels under and through the ball. Chopping sharply usually produces poor height and inconsistent contact.
Forehand and backhand variations
Players need all three intentions from both sides because defensive patterns do not always allow them to run around the ball. The backhand lob is especially important under pressure.
Train the less comfortable side until the player can select the lob without reorganizing the entire defense.
A lob quality test
Create a deep target zone and feed ten balls to each side. Alternate raining, fast and backspin lobs while calling the variation before contact.
Score height past reach, depth into the final third and balanced recovery. The goal is seven of ten successful lobs from both sides before adding a live overhead defender.
Part 21 of Julian Wortelboer’s Technical Pillar series, developed from shots 31–36 in the PSA 52 Shots of Padel System.
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