Pickleball has many different “shots,” and we’re not talking about drinks!

On a pickleball court, a shot happens whenever a team returns the ball. Each return shot can have many additional descriptors.

Some of the most basic qualifiers describe a player’s movement. The most common examples of this category are backhand and forehand shots.

Other descriptors illustrate the ball’s trajectory. For example, a drop shot skims the top of the net and falls (or “drops”) abruptly. Similarly, a volley shot happens when a player hits the ball out of the air.

You can also describe pickleball shots by their purpose: offensive or defensive.

With that in mind, a pickleball lob shot is a type of deep-hitting slam that can be used as both an offensive and defensive shot.

Defining the Pickleball Lob Shot

Pickleball lob shots are the inverse of a classic drop shot.

They’re deep, powerful slams meant to catch your opponent off-guard. A good lob shot sends the ball high overhead and into the court’s rearmost playing area. Most lobs occur at or near the non-volley zone line.

The Defensive Shot

As a defensive shot, the pickleball lob creates literal space between each team. The lofted shot forces opponents back, away from that tricky kitchen line.

Players may use a defensive lob shot when facing a team known for aggressive close-quarters play. After that third shot drop, the receiving team can lob the ball above the opponent’s outstretched paddle. In their mad dash to return the ball, the serving team ultimately loses their advantageous position.

The Offensive Lob

A lob shot can also be an offensive move.

Again, the overhead smash is primarily used to create space between pickleball players. By sending the ball deep, the offensive team gains more time to formulate a decisive winning plan.

A well-hit lob forces opponents to the baseline, a defensive position nobody wants to assume. That deep-court placement may be heart-pounding for a professional-level player, but it’s a nail-biting predicament for many novices.

How to Perfect Your Lob Shot

Functionally, lob shots resemble a more powerful variation of the classic dink shot.

While it’s often described as an “overhead smash,” the actual motion resembles a forceful backswing. Pickleball lobs should use a full-bodied lifting motion that carries from the player’s knees to their shoulders. The basic lob pairs this lift with a rigid wrist for maximum power.

(Notably, this is the opposite of a drop shot and dink, wherein players use a loose wrist to absorb the energy of an oncoming ball.)

The Trajectory of an Effective Lob Shot

A successful lob will force opponents to sacrifice even the most advantageous position to avoid breaking that double bounce rule.

Focus on maintaining a balance between height and distance. A high lob is a good lob. It should catch the opponent off-guard and be beyond the reach of anyone’s pickleball paddle. At the same time, you don’t want a pop-off at the NVZ line.

Practice your lob shot with target drills. At first, focus on hitting consistent lobs. Give yourself plenty of space in that deep play zone to lay the groundwork for an effective shot. As you improve and gain confidence, decrease the size of the target area.

How and When to Use a Lob Shot

Both a defensive and offensive lob ultimately serve to buy time. You’re hitting deep to keep your opponent away from the strategic areas of the pickleball court. It should force your opponent to drop their strategy and reevaluate the situation.

A master lobber understands the importance of surprise. You don’t want to give your opponent a chance to predict your lob. Time it well, and place it at the end of a series of dinks to send an off-guard opponent running! Add some top spin to your lob to make that next shot extra tricky.

Remember, you want the ball to land in a hard-to-reach spot on the opponent’s court.

4 Tips to Master Your Pickleball Lobs

So, what is a lob in pickleball?

It’s a powerful backhand or forehand shot that sends the ball high overhead and into the opponent’s service area. The overhead shot can be offensive or defensive, but it’s usually used to buy time and force a change in the opponent’s pickleball play style.

Beginner players often struggle to master this forceful surprise shot, hitting too hard for their own good. You need a balanced position and full-body follow-through to prevent your lobs from turning into home runs!

With that in mind, here are four simple tips to help you master the art of the lob shot.

1. Watch Your Opponent’s Body

This first tip comes from professional pickleball players!

Watch the other team closely. Is the opponent leaning forward? That’s the perfect time to hit a lob shot! At that point, players are already committed to the non-volley line, so it’ll be much harder to escape the non-volley zone for the return.

2. Keep It Covered

Secondly, keep your lob shots under wraps. Disguise them well to maintain the element of surprise.

You’ll learn tricks to cover your movements as you improve your pickleball skills. Start by mirroring your opponent. Watch how players move when hitting shots and mimic those motions. Then, incorporate those movements into your routine.

3. Be Ready to Block

Of course, not every lob in pickleball earns a point. Some fall short!

Don’t panic over a failed lob. Keep your head on your shoulders and pay attention to the game. Watch for an opportunity to volley or block your opponent’s return lob, and be prepared to block a return lob, too!

4. Stay Informed

Finally, practice makes perfect.

Pickle Goddesses is devoted to all things pickleball. We love the game and see its ability to empower women. So, break out of your comfort zone and take up a spot at the NVZ line! Keep an eye on our blog for more pickleball news, tips, and tricks.

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