How to Hit the Perfect Pickleball Lob | Canada Pickleball Courts | Pickleball
How to Hit the Perfect Pickleball Lob
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Why the Lob Belongs in Your Pickleball Toolbox
Every pickleball player eventually runs into an opponent who parks at the kitchen line and controls the net with soft, precise dinks. When that happens, the lob becomes your best friend. A well-placed pickleball lob shot lifts the ball high over your opponent's reach and forces them to retreat, resetting the point in your favour.
But the lob is a double-edged sword. Hit it too short, and you hand your opponent an easy overhead smash. Hit it too deep, and it sails out. The key is knowing when to lob, how to execute it with proper technique, and how to defend when one is launched against you.
When to Use the Lob: Offensive vs. Defensive Situations
Not all lobs are created equal. Understanding the difference between an offensive lob and a defensive lob helps you pick the right moment for each.
The Offensive Lob
An offensive lob is a surprise weapon. You use it when both teams are engaged in a dinking rally at the kitchen line and your opponents are leaning forward. The goal is to catch them off guard with a ball that sails just over their outstretched paddle and lands deep in the court.
The best time to throw in an offensive lob:
Your opponent is crowding the net or leaning into the kitchen
The wind is at your back (common on outdoor courts across Canada)
You notice your opponent has slow lateral movement or struggles with backpedalling
The dinking pattern has become predictable and your opponent has settled into a rhythm
The Defensive Lob
A defensive lob serves a completely different purpose. When you are pulled out of position or stretched wide by a tough shot, a high, deep lob buys you time to recover and get back into the point. You are not trying to win the rally outright. You are trying to survive it.
Use a defensive lob when:
You are off-balance or out of position after a hard return
Your opponents are applying heavy pressure and you need a reset
You are pushed deep behind the baseline and need time to move forward
How to Hit an Offensive Lob
The offensive lob in pickleball relies on disguise and touch more than power. Here is how to execute it.
Start with your dink setup. The most effective offensive lob looks exactly like a dink until the moment of contact. Keep your body low, paddle out front, and use the same backswing you would for a soft kitchen shot.
Open the paddle face. At the point of contact, angle your paddle face slightly upward, roughly 30 to 45 degrees. This lifts the ball on a higher trajectory without requiring a big swing change.
Use a smooth lifting motion. Push through the ball with your legs and follow through upward. The power comes from your legs and a controlled wrist, not from a big arm swing. Think of it as guiding the ball up and over rather than swatting at it.
Target the backhand side. Most players struggle more with a backhand overhead than a forehand overhead. Aim your lob toward your opponent's backhand shoulder whenever possible. According to USA Pickleball, the backhand overhead is one of the most difficult shots for players at every level.
Get the depth right. Your lob should land within two to three feet of the baseline. Anything shorter gives your opponent time to set up an overhead smash. Anything longer is out. Practice this depth repeatedly until it becomes second nature.
If you have been working on your dinking technique, you already have the foundation for a disguised offensive lob. The setup is almost identical.
How to Hit a Defensive Lob
The defensive lob prioritizes height and depth over finesse. When you are scrambling, your goal is to send the ball as high and deep as possible to buy recovery time.
Get under the ball. Even when stretched or off-balance, try to get your paddle under the ball with an open face. The more open the angle, the higher the trajectory.
Aim for maximum height. A defensive lob should peak at 15 to 20 feet or higher. This gives you several seconds to reset your court position before the ball comes back.
Send it deep. Aim for the back third of the court. Even if your opponent can hit an overhead, the extra depth forces them to contact the ball further from the net, reducing the angle and power of their put-away.
Recover immediately. The moment the ball leaves your paddle, start moving back toward the centre of the court. A lob without recovery is just a slow ball for your opponent to crush.
For players working on their overall shot selection and court positioning, the principles in our doubles strategy guide apply directly to knowing when and where to place your defensive lobs.
Defending the Lob: The Overhead Smash
Being on the receiving end of a lob is where many players panic. The overhead smash, sometimes called simply "the overhead," is the standard response. Here is how to handle it.
Footwork First
The moment you see a lob going up, turn sideways and begin shuffling backward. Do not backpedal with your feet parallel to the net, as this is slower and throws off your balance. Instead, turn your non-paddle shoulder toward the net and use crossover steps to get into position underneath the ball.
Pickleball Canada coaching resources emphasize that proper footwork is the single biggest factor in executing a consistent overhead. If your feet are not set, even a perfectly timed swing will miss its target.
Find the Right Contact Point
The ideal contact point for an overhead smash is slightly in front of your body, at full arm extension above your head. If the ball gets behind you, the shot becomes much harder to control. Let the ball drop to a comfortable height rather than reaching for it at its peak.
Placement Over Power
Many players try to hit the overhead as hard as possible. This leads to errors. Instead, focus on placing the ball at your opponent's feet or into an open area of the court. A controlled overhead with good placement wins far more points than a wild blast.
The Transition Ball Option
If the lob is too deep for a comfortable overhead, you have another option: let the ball bounce first, then play a controlled groundstroke back. There is no rule that says you must smash every lob. Sometimes a smart, deep return is the better play. The Professional Pickleball Association broadcasts regularly show top pros choosing to reset off a deep lob rather than force a low-percentage overhead.
Lob Etiquette and Smart Usage
The lob is a completely legal and strategic shot, but overusing it can slow the game and frustrate your playing partners in recreational settings. Here are a few guidelines.
In competitive play, lob freely. Tournaments and league matches reward smart strategy. If your opponent cannot handle lobs, that is a weakness to exploit. No apologies needed.
In recreational play, mix it in thoughtfully. Lobbing every other shot in a casual game can make rallies less enjoyable for everyone. Use it as one tool among many rather than your entire game plan. Our court etiquette guide covers more on keeping games fun and respectful for all players.
Respect the conditions. On windy days (which are common at many outdoor courts across Canada's provinces), lobs become unpredictable for both you and your opponent. Factor the wind into your decision before going for a lob.
Drills to Sharpen Your Lob and Overhead
Consistent practice is the fastest way to build confidence in both your lob shot and your overhead defense. Try these drills at your next session.
Lob Targeting Drill
Place targets (towels, cones, or water bottles) two feet inside the baseline on both sides of the court. Practice hitting lobs from the kitchen line, aiming to land the ball on or near the targets. Start with a basket of balls and track your accuracy over 20 attempts.
Dink-to-Lob Transition Drill
With a partner, start a cross-court dinking rally. On a random ball, switch to a lob. Your partner calls out "lob" or "dink" after contact. This builds your ability to disguise the lob within a dinking sequence.
Overhead Footwork Drill
Have a partner feed lobs from the opposite baseline. Focus entirely on your footwork, turning sideways, shuffling back, and setting up under the ball before swinging. Start at half speed and increase the pace as your movement improves.
Live Lob-and-Smash Rally
Play out points where one team can only lob (no drives or drops) and the other team can only respond with overheads or drop shots. After five minutes, switch roles. This drill forces both teams to practice under realistic pressure.
Putting It All Together
The pickleball lob is not a gimmick or a desperation shot. It is a strategic weapon that can disrupt your opponent's rhythm, create openings, and give you time to recover when you are under pressure. Pair it with a reliable overhead smash, and you have a complete answer for one of the most common situations in the game.
Start by adding one or two lobs per game and see how your opponents react. Over time, you will develop the touch and timing to make the lob a natural part of your shot selection. Ready to put these skills to work? Find a court near you and start practising.