Home › Puzzle › You just hit a great lob. What next?
You just hit a great lob. What next?
A lob without a run forward is a wasted lob. Both of you go, or neither.
Your lob has cleared the net player and is dropping deep in their court. What do you and your partner do?
A lob without a run forward is a wasted lob. Both of you go, or neither.
Why
The lob exists to buy you time and territory. If you stand and admire it, you get the time and none of the territory, and they simply lob you back. Move in as a pair as soon as the ball has cleared the net player, stop about two metres from the net, and split-step as their racket goes back. If you cannot get in safely, then neither of you goes: a connected pair at the back beats a broken pair anywhere.
What this means at your level
Beginner
The rule is simple: if you lift it, you go. Say "up" out loud so your partner comes with you.
Intermediate
Watch their contact point as you move. If they are under it and comfortable, stop and split. If they are reaching back or turning, keep going all the way in.
Advanced
Close diagonally toward the side you lobbed to, not straight up the tramline. That takes away the down-the-line reply and leaves them the long cross, which you have time to cover.
Common questions
Your lob has cleared the net player and is dropping deep in their court. What do you and your partner do?
Both move up to the net together. A lob without a run forward is a wasted lob. Both of you go, or neither. The lob exists to buy you time and territory. If you stand and admire it, you get the time and none of the territory, and they simply lob you back. Move in as a pair as soon as the ball has cleared the net player, stop about two metres from the net, and split-step as their racket goes back. If you cannot get in safely, then neither of you goes: a connected pair at the back beats a broken pair anywhere.
Why not you go in, your partner covers the back?
One up and one back gives them a lane through the middle and a lob over the deep player. Split the line and you split the court.
What should a beginner do here?
The rule is simple: if you lift it, you go. Say "up" out loud so your partner comes with you.
How does this change for an advanced player?
Close diagonally toward the side you lobbed to, not straight up the tramline. That takes away the down-the-line reply and leaves them the long cross, which you have time to cover.
Puzzles like this one
Both of them are at the net. What is the highest-percentage ball?
Only the lob moves a net pair backwards. Everything else invites them forward.
intermediateYour partner got pulled wide. Where do you stand?
The pair moves like one body. When your partner is pulled wide, you take the middle.
beginnerYou have served. Where do you go?
In padel you serve in order to get to the net. Serve, then go.