Pay attention to your opponents’ movements, including their footwork, backswings, and paddle angles, which can often telegraph various shots. For instance, if your opponents compress and take a low backswing with a relatively flat paddle angle, be ready for the lob. Once you recognize that your opponents are sending a lob in your direction, you have two options (assuming the lob will land within the court and not out of bounds): (1) try to take the pickleball out of the air with an overhead; or (2) let the pickleball bounce and hit the pickleball off the bounce.

If you decide to let the pickleball bounce—for instance, if the pickleball is out of your reach for an overhead or you can make a stronger shot off the bounce—drop step, turn your body, and run towards the baseline. To set yourself up for the strongest shot off the bounce:

1. Run to the side of the pickleball so that the pickleball is one to two feet to the paddle side of your body;

2. Prepare your paddle as you are running;

3. Run beyond the point of the bounce, as you should hit the pickleball out in front of your body after the bounce; and

4. Firmly plant your paddle-side foot to stop and strike the pickleball.

One key consideration on the lob is whether you or your partner will take the shot. Just like many other shots in pickleball, the player with his or her forehand to the middle of the court is in a better position to return the lob. However, mobility may also be a factor. The player with the stronger mobility may want to take charge on chasing down lobs. So, communication is key when your opponents send a lob into the air.

Regardless of who hits the lob, consider whether you and your partner need to switch sides of the court in order to be ready for the return shot. A switch is effective if a lob pulls one player into the same side of the court as his or her partner. The partner that is not taking the shot off the lob should yell “switch” and move to the other side of the pickleball court. This switching of sides will allow you and your partner to cover more of the pickleball court in the event that your opponents return the pickleball. The partner that is not taking the shot off the lob should also consider taking a step or two back to give him or her a bit more reaction time in the event that the shot off the lob is a poor shot. Remember, if the shot off the lob is a good shot, both you and your partner should try to move in toward the Non-Volley Zone or Kitchen Line.

If your opponents hit a lob over your backhand shoulder, such that both you and your partner would have to hit the lob off the bounce with your respective backhands, it is especially important for your partner to fall back a step or two and pinch the middle of the court. This is because chasing down a lob with your backhand can be one of the most difficult shots in pickleball. Falling back and pinching the middle of the court can help prepare you and your partner for a strong return from your opponents and keep you in the point.

Key Takeaways:

1. Look for tells or clues that your opponents are about to hit a lob, which include extra compression in the legs and a low backswing with a relatively flat paddle angle.

2. When your opponents hit a lob into the air (that will stay within the court), you and your partner can either (a) hit an overhead; or (b) let the pickleball bounce and hit the pickleball off the bounce. If you decide to hit the pickleball off of the bounce, then be sure to:

a. Drop step and run to the side of the pickleball;

b. Prepare your paddle as you are running;

c. Run beyond the point of the bounce; and

d. Firmly plant your paddle-side foot to stop and strike the pickleball.

3. Communicate with your partner as to who will hit the lob. Most lobs should be hit by the player with his or her forehand to the middle of the court or the player with the strongest mobility.

4. Consider switching sides of the court if a lob pulls the player tracking down the lob to the same side of the court as his or her partner. Be sure to communicate the switch loudly—“SWITCH!”

5. The partner that is not hitting the lob should consider taking a step or two back to give him or her more reaction time. This is especially important if the lob is over both players’ backhand shoulders.