The Lob

The lob – one of the most effective shots in Padel – is used to help change the dynamic of the current rally. 

It helps the pair gain control of the point with a shot type that will ensure you’re able to start dictating the rally, as it often helps to regain the position that is most vital in Padel, being at the net. 

Making sure that the ball flies over the opponent’s head will push them back towards the baseline as you are then poised at the net together with your partner ready to pounce.

The pace in which the game is being played can be halved when opting to use the lob, it is often used to surprise your opponent or buy yourself time when trying to flip the rally on its head from a defensive position.

While primarily you will use your forehand to perform this shot, it isn’t uncommon for players to use their backhand, it’s essential to get under the ball to ensure long enough airtime.

The lob is easy to perform but hard to master given the feeling you must have in your hands between both the ball and racket. 

And you do start to feel that quite quickly as an under-hit lob will result in your opposition having an easy shot to be able to finish the rally, resulting in a loss of a point.

You should end with your racket all but touching the ceiling, in principle, if the correct lob is performed, but really pointing that racket to the sky is a good tip, once mastered it’s a real art of Padel as you want to prevent your opponents from being able to hit a defensive Bandeja volley to keep you at the back of the court, or a smash to potentially finish the point. 

An important factor when performing a lob is accuracy with ball placement, you want to be aiming for as deep within the field as possible, this way it is even harder for the ball to be returnable on the volley. 

There is also a sliced lob, where you cut underneath the ball as you launch the lob, the resulting spin when it lands backs the ball further into the rear glass. Very tricky to execute, but do give it a try when the time is right.  Try to perform it with a high angle always in mind to ensure it is kept close to the glass, this way it becomes even harder to return.  

I think you might be ready to get on the court… Can you master the lob?