In tennis, a lob is a rarely used move that can help provide points against an opponent who stays close to the net. The lob scores points in the space behind your opponent when he comes too close. The two-handed, backhand topspin lob is easier than the one-handed version because you have twice as much strength at your disposal. Adding topspin makes the ball gain height, helping it cruise out of reach over your opponent's head.
Method
The lob can be hit with a forehand or a backhand stroke. A lob with topspin is usually used for offensive moves. To use this move against your opponent, pretend you are going to hit the ball hard, which will cause him to close in on the net. Moving quickly, come up sharply underneath the ball and aim high. When hitting the ball, bend your arm as much as possible to get the leverage required to add spin. Concentrate on gaining height rather than on planning where the ball will land. The ball should fly out of reach over your opponent's head and land inside the baseline.
Purpose
"NorthEast Tennis" magazine calls the lob an effective way to win points against an opponent who always comes close to the net. Draw your opponent forward with shots that land close to the net. After he is drawn forward, the lob makes use of the space he has left unprotected at the back of the court. When you add topspin to the lob, it gains height, which makes it more difficult for your opponent to retrieve. Only use a topspin lob when your opponent is close to the net.
Timing
Using the lob early in the game might cost you a few points, but it also helps keep your opponent further back on the court. This provides more opportunities for scoring points in the long run, as you'll find more gaps closer to the net in which to hit your shots. To surprise your opponent later in the game, hold off on using the lob until he stays close to the net, then score a point with a lob when it matters.
Tips
Lob the ball high up so it falls from an area where your opponent has trouble seeing it because of the position of the sun, or the lights on an indoor course. Before you hit it, determine which way the wind is blowing because that will affect the ball's path through the air. To catch your opponent off guard later in the game, don't reveal your full abilities at lobbing the ball during your warm-up. Practice your lob often before trying to use it in a game.
Posted in: Golf