What is a Lob in Tennis? How to Execute It & When to Use It

Definition: Lob in Tennis

In tennis, a lob is a high, arcing shot that travels over your opponent—typically when they’re moving forward or stationed near the net—and lands deep in the court. At first glance, it looks simple: lift the ball high, clear the racquet and head, and drop it near the baseline. But effective lobbing is part technique, part timing, and part decision-making. 

The best players treat the lob as both a tactical weapon and a pressure release—a way to win outright, force a defensive overhead, or buy precious seconds to recover their court position. Think of the lob as a chess move in tennis. You’re not just hitting a shot; you’re flipping the board on your opponent.

Why does the lob matter so much? Because net-rushers and aggressive doubles teams thrive on taking time away from you. A well-judged lob flips that script. It steals their positioning advantage, punishes overcommitment, and resets rallies on your terms. 

Mastering the lob means understanding when to choose topspin versus underspin (slice), how to execute it from forehand and backhand wings, and how to adapt for surfaces, wind, height of rooflines (indoors), and your opponents’ movement.

This guide explains what a lob is, breaks down key techniques, provides a step-by-step method to hit it reliably, clarifies when to use (and not to use) the lob, and finishes with progressive drills to make it match-ready. By the end, you’ll be confident picking the right lob, at the right time, with the right trajectory.

Key Lob Techniques Explained

Forehand Lob

For many players, the forehand lob is the most natural place to start. Your stronger side usually offers better racquet head speed and finer control over vertical racquet path, which you’ll need to lift the ball high with intention. A well-timed forehand lob feels almost effortless, yet it leaves even advanced net players scrambling backwards.

Use a small amount of topspin on a basic lob and your forehand drive grip. If you

play competitive doubles, you will certainly have plenty of occasions to use the lob.

Watch Ram and Salisbury play doubles as the ATP No. 1 pair.

Set-up & stance. From a neutral rally, use a compact unit turn and set your stance either neutral or slightly open, depending on the feed. Keep your head still and your hitting shoulder relaxed. The biggest mistake is over-rotating or muscling the ball; a lob asks for upward acceleration, not a flat drive.

Contact & height. Aim to make contact slightly in front of your body with the strings brushing up the back of the ball if you’re hitting topspin or presenting a marginally open face if you’re carving a slice. As a rule of thumb, clear an oncoming volleyer by at least a racquet's length plus an arm's length, then land the ball in the deep third of the court, ideally within the last 1.5–2.5 meters from the baseline. Give yourself margin above the net: under pressure, an extra half-meter of apex often wins more points than “perfect” depth.

Grips. For a forehand topspin lob, a semi-western (or western) grip naturally promotes low-to-high acceleration. For a slice lob, many players prefer eastern or even continental to keep the face stable and feel the carve.

Disguise. Begin with a groundstroke-like preparation. Only in the last fraction should the racquet path steepen. If you show too much face or drop the racquet head too early, you’ll telegraph the lob and invite a comfortable overhead.

Backhand Lob

The backhand lob is often the shot that separates competent baseliners from crafty tacticians. Whether you play a one-handed or two-handed backhand, the essentials are similar: shoulder turn, early preparation, clean spacing, and a decisive finish. The backhand lob is the shot that makes your opponent mutter under their breath—it’s tricky, precise, and punishes overconfidence at the net.

Hold the racket with an Eastern backhand grip to come up the back of the ball and impart a small amount of topspin.

Turn your shoulders and use a short arm take-back to control the contact point when playing the lob under pressure with limited time available for racket preparation.

Both disrupt baseline and volley attacks using forehand and backhand lobs, but avoid resorting to moon-balling!

One-handed backhand lob. Load through the outside leg, close your body, and keep your non-dominant hand guiding the racquet on the take-back. For topspin, think of drawing the racquet up the back of the ball with a slightly closed face and a high, relaxed finish. For slice, present a firmer, more open face and “carry” the ball upwards.

Two-handed backhand lob. The non-dominant hand does much of the vertical lifting. Focus on loose wrists and an up-and-through finish. Many two-handers feel more stable hitting a topspin lob than a pure slice; if you do slice, soften the bottom hand so you don’t over-close the face.

Contact height. Backhand lobs often succeed when you take the ball early and high—chest to shoulder height—especially against an opponent charging in. This robs them of reaction time and reduces the window for a clean overhead.

Topspin Lob

The topspin lob is the modern player’s go-to because it combines safety (net clearance) with a heavy, dipping trajectory that can fall inside the baseline even when struck with conviction.

Use this shot to surprise a net rusher. Hit a short topspin lob just out of reach—it moves fast through the air.

The topspin makes the ball shoot forward sharply, making it tough for your opponent to return. Your preparation for this shot has indicated to your opponent that he may expect a low ball to volley at his feet.

But your racket continues in an upward direction and ends with a wrist snap to turn the shot into a short topspin lob with plenty of disguise.

The shot requires good ''hands" and a lot of "touch"—Andy Murray is a skillful performer and usually manages to get the ball over his opponents' backhand side.

Trajectory & feel. Picture a steep, low-to-high path with real acceleration at the contact. You want the ball’s apex comfortably above the opponent’s reach, then dipping late to land deep. If you flatten out or decelerate, you’ll either gift a sitter overhead or sail long. Few things frustrate a net-rusher more than watching the ball rocket over their head and dip just inside the baseline.

When to use it.

• When your opponent is very close to the net.
• When you have time and a good balance.
• Outdoors with a tailwind (the ball carries, but the spin helps it dip).
• On clay, where you can swing big with confidence.

Common errors & fixes.

• Too flat/short: exaggerate the vertical path, commit to a higher finish, and trust the spin.
• Floats long: close the racquet face ever so slightly, reduce backswing size, and focus on a later, higher contact.

Underspin (Slice) Lob

The slice lob—sometimes called the defensive lob—floats higher and travels slower. Its strength is buying time and changing pace; it can also drift awkwardly with the wind and force a footwork error on the overhead.

Principally, use this shot for defense against a strong attack. It is the defender's last chance to stay in the point and hopefully regain the initiative.

Play the point from behind the baseline and strike the ball with a shortened racket take-back.

Rather like the backhand slice, the racket hits under the ball with an open face, and keeping the wrist firm directs the ball high and to the back of your opponent's court.

Your own racket movement needs to be minimal to deal with a fast-moving ball and still maintain control. The ball will deflect high and slow in the air with the amount of reverse spin.

This should give you a little extra time to regain your court position if you have been taken off court.   

Trajectory & feel. The face is slightly open, and the path resembles a gentle high-to-low-to-high carve. You’re not hacking under the ball; you’re carrying it upwards with subtle underspin so it clears big and drops deep. Picture it as a parachute shot—slow, floating, and awkward to chase down.

When to use it.

• When you’re stretched or off-balance and need recovery time.
• Into a headwind, where the underspin and wind combine to make the ball stall and fall.
• Against players who don’t like to move backwards quickly or who misjudge floaters.

Typical pitfalls. Over-opening the face (ball balloons and lands short) and decelerating (no carry). Keep the arm relaxed but structured, and think long carry rather than chop.

Step-by-Step: How to Execute the Perfect Lob

Positioning

Read the cues early. A great lob starts before you swing: see your opponent lean forward, cross the service line, or split-step with their weight going in. If they close too tightly, your lob window grows. If you’ve ever felt rushed at the net, a good lob is like hitting the ‘pause’ button. It resets the rally on your terms.

Create space under the ball. Use small adjustment steps to arrive under the incoming ball rather than reaching or back-pedaling. If you must retreat, turn and crossover rather than shuffle straight back—this preserves balance and lets you load into the shot.

Choose your lane. Decide cross-court or down the line based on your opponent’s position. Cross-court gives more court length and margin; the line can be deadly if their momentum is across.

Grip

Have a grip plan. If you anticipate a topspin lob, start from your usual topspin grip (semi-western/western forehand, strong two-hand backhand). For slice or emergency lobs, continental/eastern grips simplify face control and quick changes.

Rapid switching. Practice switching grips during the unit turn so you’re not fumbling late. A simple cue: “turn, set, switch”—turn the shoulders, set the hand, and switch if needed, while the racquet is still on the take-back.

Footwork

Footwork is the engine of a reliable lob.

On balance entries. From a solid base, take a split step, plant through the outside leg, and drive up. Think ground-up power: ankles → knees → hips → shoulder → racquet head. Your head stays quiet while your body lifts.

Defensive entries. If you’re pulled wide or deep, turn the hips and use a crossover step to get behind the ball. Avoid the panic back-pedal; it drags your weight backwards and kills upward acceleration. Even under pressure, find a micro-set—one small plant—so you can lift the ball rather than push it.

Recover after contact. Don’t admire your lob. As soon as the ball leaves, recover along a V-shaped path to a neutral court position. If your lob is deep and forces a back-pedaling overhead, many opponents will send a neutral ball you can attack next.

Racquet Movement

Topspin lob mechanics. From a slightly lower racquet position, drive low-to-high with a loose wrist and high finish. Imagine you are “throwing” the ball up and over with spin. Keep the face a touch closed to counter the vertical path and prevent a sail-along.

Slice lob mechanics. Present a slightly open face with a gentle carve, not a hack. Guide the ball up with the strings, feel it sit on the racquet a beat longer, and finish with the tip pointing to the sky. Think “carry and float,” not “chop.”

Height & depth benchmarks. Your default goal: clear an extended racquet comfortably, apex above the service line area, and land in the deep third. When in doubt, raise the apex; height buys time and margin.

Direction. Cross-court for safety and length; line to exploit an opponent cheating across. In doubles, a cross-court lob over the backhand side of the net player is often the highest percentage.

When to Use—and When Not to Use—the Lob

Think of lobbing as a calculated gamble: when timed well, it’s genius; when mistimed, it’s an open invitation for your opponent to smash.

Defensive Situations

The lob is your best friend when you’re on the stretch or late to the ball. A floaty slice lob can reset the point, giving you time to rebuild shape. If your opponent has closed inside the service line, a well-timed topspin lob can turn defense into offense in one swing. 

Common defensive triggers:

• You’re pulled wide, and a pass looks low-percentage.
• The volleyer is crowding and leaning forward.
• You’ve been pushed too hard and need space to recover.
• In doubles, both opponents are tight at the net with poor depth behind them.

Offensive Plays

Used offensively, the lob becomes a punishment tool.

Disguise from standard prep. Shape your take-back like a drive, then raise the path late to lift over a closing opponent. Players who poach early or take giant split-steps near the net are ripe for lob punishment.

After a drop-shot exchange. When you draw the opponent forward with a drop shot and they lift a weak reply, the lob over their backhand side is brutal, especially if they dislike moving backwards.

Double patterns. If the net player is hungry for interceptions, lob cross-court behind them. If the server-volleyer crowds, a down-the-line lob as they move can open the court.

When not to lob

• Against players with outstanding overheads and footwork, especially tall, explosive movers. Choose a dipping pass or body drive instead.
• Indoors with a low roof: topspin lobs may clip rafters; use flatter passes or body volleys.
• When you’re too close to the net without an angle, lifting from inside the service line often hands over a shoulder-high smash.
• In a strong tailwind without topspin control, balls can carry long. Either add more spin or pick a different option.

A quick decision guide

• Is your opponent inside the service line? → Lob is on.
• Do they favor a backhand overhead? → Target that side.
• Is the wind behind you? → Use more spin or pick a slice into the wind side.
• Are you off-balance? → Slice lob to buy time; recover immediately.

Drills to Practice the Lob

Deliberate practice turns a hopeful heave into a repeatable weapon. Practicing lobs might not look glamorous, but come match day, it’s the shot that can flip momentum in an instant. Use these progressive drills:

1) Shadow & drop-feed elevation drill.
Stand on the baseline with four cones placed in the back third of the opposite court. Shadow the low-to-high path, then drop-feed to yourself and aim to land the ball within those cones. Focus on apex height—call out “high-deep” as you finish to reinforce the target. 3 sets of 15 balls.

2) Coach/partner mid-court feed.
Your partner stands around the service line, simulating a closing volleyer. They feed you comfortable balls; you alternate topspin and slice lobs. The partner attempts a gentle overhead to keep pressure real. Score a point every time you force a back-pedal or elicit an error. Swap roles after each set.

3) Cross-court vs. down-the-line lanes.
Place a strip of cones one meter inside each sideline in the back third. Hit five lobs cross-court and five down the line, alternating forehand/backhand. This teaches you to adjust aiming lanes and margins without changing core mechanics.

4) Live approach pattern.
Play a mini-game: your partner must approach after two shots; you must either pass or lob. Keep score to 11. This injects decision-making under time pressure and forces you to read closing cues.

5) Doubles I-formation read & lob.
In doubles, start points with your opponents in I-formation. Your return task: if the net player moves early, lob cross-court over their backhand. If they hold, drive, or dip cross-court. Communicate with your partner: shout “switch” after your lob to organize the cover.

6) Pressure & recovery combo.
Coach feeds a stretch ball to your backhand corner: you must slice lob, recover to the center, and handle the next ball. Emphasize turn-crossover footwork and an immediate V-shape recovery path after contact.

How to Execute the Perfect Lob in Tennis (Checklist & Troubleshooting)

The 7-point checklist

1. Read early: opponent closing? weight forward? service line breached?
2. Get under it: small steps, find a micro-set, and avoid back-pedaling.
3. Choose grip: topspin (semi-western/western or strong two-hand); slice (continental/eastern).
4. Set lane: cross for margin, line for surprise.
5. Commit path: topspin = steep low-to-high; slice = carry with a slightly open face.
6. Aim high-deep: clear a fully extended racquet and land in the deep third.
7. Recover: move immediately to neutral or the next tactical spot.

Troubleshooting common misses

• Lob lands short (easy smash). You likely decelerated or hit too flat. Fix: increase vertical acceleration, have a higher finish, make contact a touch earlier, and give yourself more net clearance.
• Lob flies long. The face was too open, or the swing was too expansive. Fix: close the face slightly, shorten the backswing, make contact higher, and add more spin rather than more force.
• Telegraphed lob. Your preparation changed too early. Fix: Keep the same take-back as your drive, disguise until the last moment, and avoid staring upwards before contact.
• You’re stranded after lobbing. You admired your shot. Fix: build the habit: hit-recover. Use a cue word—“back!”—as the ball leaves the strings to trigger your feet.

Singles vs Doubles Lobs

In singles, a lob is survival; in doubles, it’s strategy.

Singles. You’re punishing over-aggression and reclaiming space. Most success comes from a heavy topspin lob when the opponent is inside the service line, forcing them to back-pedal or attempt a low-percentage overhead. Down-the-line lobs shine if the opponent shades cross-court.

Doubles. Lobs are strategic chess moves. The highest-percentage play is a cross-court lob over the backhand of the opposing net player, especially if they poach aggressively. Communicate with your partner—call “switch” the instant you lob—to cover the angle they may attack if they retrieve it. Mix in an occasional down-the-line lob to stop the net player from cheating.

Surfaces, Conditions & Context

Clay. Extra time on the ball equals confidence to swing up for the topspin lob. The dip is more pronounced, and the bounce after the opponent’s overhead is lower, making their task harder.

Grass. Points are faster, and the first volley is dangerous. A successful lob on grass often needs a greater apex and excellent depth; otherwise, it sits up for an easy smash. Consider using the lob more as a surprise here.

Hard courts. Neutral. The topspin lob remains a dependable option, but be aware of opponents who are comfortable taking overheads on the rise.

Wind. Into a headwind, a slice lob can hang and drop wickedly; it buys you time. With a tailwind, add more spin or choose a lower-apex lob to avoid over-hitting. Crosswinds demand you aim inside the line and let the wind carry the ball to your target.

Sun & lights. Outdoors, aim so your opponent must track the ball into the sun; indoors, check the roof height. Flatter, dipping passes may replace high lobs on low ceilings.

Defending Against the Lob

Becoming lob-proof raises your confidence at the net and indirectly improves your approach game.

First step. As soon as you read “up,” pivot and use a drop-step with a crossover sprint. Don’t back-pedal: it’s slow and dangerous.

Shot choices.

• Overhead: If you get there early, punch through the line of flight to the open court.
• Bounce-smash: If late, let the ball bounce, then strike an aggressive overhead from deeper in the court.
• Reset deep: If you’re off-balance, defend with a deep push to the backhand corner and rebuild.
• Counter-lob: Against an opponent who has followed their lob in too closely, a short counter-lob over their head can flip the rally.

Positioning after the overhead. Avoid over-closing again immediately. Re-establish a sensible net position that respects the opponent’s passing lanes and the threat of a repeated lob.

Gear & String Notes

You don’t need a new racquet to hit effective lobs, but small tweaks in strings or grip can be the difference between a lob that floats long and one that dips perfectly.

• Strings & tension. A spin-friendly poly or a hybrid at a moderate tension provides control when you swing up aggressively. If you prefer comfort, multifilament strings work well; consider going slightly tighter for more precision on topspin lobs.
• Racket head size. A 98–100 sq in frame offers a forgiving launch window without sacrificing control.

Eyewear & caps. In bright sun, sunglasses or a visor can be the difference between tracking the apex cleanly and misjudging it.

Key Takeaways & CTA

A lob is more than a bailout; it’s a momentum changer. Choose topspin when you’ve got time and want a dipping, deep finish. Choose slice when you’re stretched or into the wind and need the ball to hang and drop. Read the approach early, get under the ball, commit to a true vertical path, and recover immediately. Build your lob through progressive drills, and you’ll turn net-rushers’ confidence into hesitation.

Want to put this into practice? Bookmark the 7-point checklist, run the drills in order this week, and track your success rate. If you coach or play in a team, share the doubles patterns and call “switch” loudly after every lob. You’ll be amazed at how many points you win on the next ball.

FAQ: What is a lob in tennis?