improver · ~5 min read
Lob & net — the improver's match-winner
A deep, high lob pushes the net pair back so you can walk forward together. Depth beats power — here's how to earn the net as a pair.
Last reviewed June 2026
In one minute
At improver level, matches are won and lost on one shot: the lob. A deep, high lob pushes the net pair back so you and your partner can walk forward together — not one at a time. The lob is not a panic button; it is a reset you choose when opponents are pressing the net and you have enough time to lift the ball. Depth beats power. A lob that lands short around the service line is a gift; one that lands in the back third buys you the net. Hit it, move as a pair, racket up — hold what you earned.
You should already know the diamond shape and that the lob comes before bandeja in the learning order (key shots). This guide is the how — technique, timing, and pair movement in one place.
Lob technique — improver essentials
Open face, low to high. Turn sideways, racket back early, and point the face more toward the sky than on a drive. Bend your knees and push up through the ball — your legs create the lift, not a jab with the arm. Contact in front of the body; finish high above your head with a relaxed grip.
| Target | What to aim for |
|---|---|
| Minimum depth | Bounce beyond the service line — shorter invites an overhead |
| Ideal depth | Back third of the court, within the last 1–2 m before the back glass |
| Height | Clear outstretched rackets — arc roughly 3–4 m above the net |
Cross-court is the safer default — the longer diagonal gives more margin. Once that is reliable, mix in deep middle and down the line.
This guide covers the high defensive lob only. Fast topspin globos are a refinement for later — see key shots in order for where bandeja fits.
When to lob — and when not to
Lob when:
- Opponents are both at the net and you are pinned at the back or on the glass.
- They are pressing tight, leaning forward — most vulnerable to a ball over their heads.
- You need to buy time or move your pair forward after a successful deep ball.
- The ball is comfortable after the glass — stable, with enough time to lift.
Do not lob when:
- You are balanced and central with time — drive, pass, or construct instead.
- The ball is too low, too fast, or too close — block low or reset to the middle.
- You are off balance or late — a forced lift feeds their overhead.
- Lobbing has become a habit because you do not trust your volley — fix the reason, not the symptom.
Shortcut: lob when you can create enough height and depth to move opponents back — not because you are scared of the rally.
Moving to the net as a pair
A good lob is only half the point. The other half is recovering together.
The trigger: when your lob pushes opponents past the service line, walk forward with your partner — ideally before the ball bounces off their back wall. If the lob is short or attackable, stay back and build again.
Three steps in order:
- Move diagonally — cover your half, stay balanced.
- Split-step as you arrive — small hop, both feet, as opponents hit.
- Racket up at chest height — continental grip, ready to volley.
At the net, stand roughly 1 m behind the cord and aim for depth and placement on your first volleys — block or push deep to keep them pinned. Do not hunt winners on arrival.
When they lob you back: both players retreat together. A lob over your head is a reset, not a defeat — handle it, rebuild, lob forward again.
Common improver mistakes
| What you see | Fix |
|---|---|
| Panic lob from trouble | Lob only when the ball allows height + depth; otherwise block low |
| Short lob around the service line | Open face, low-to-high finish; aim for the back third |
| Power instead of height | Placement and depth over pace |
| Good lob, no recovery | Walk forward with your partner as soon as they retreat |
| One-up-one-back on the approach | Both advance or both hold — same depth |
| Sprinting without earning it | Net is a reward — earn it with a deep ball first |
Try this next time
- Depth drill: from the baseline, hit 10 lobs aiming for the back third. Count how many bounce beyond the service line — aim for 7+.
- Lob and walk: after each deep lob in a rally, take two steps forward with your partner before the ball comes back. Say "up" to each other.
- Split-step at the net: on your next social match, split-step on every arrival at the net — racket already up.
What comes next
Bandeja and overhead selection are the next level up — start with the bandeja if you are at intermediate club level; broader shot order in key shots in order. Until then: deep lob → pair to net → hold with placement.
New to the basics? Start with move as a pair and using the walls.