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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.
You and your partner are both at the back. Both opponents are established at the net. What do you play?
Only the lob moves a net pair backwards. Everything else invites them forward.
Why
A pair at the net controls the point because they hit downwards and you hit upwards. You cannot out-hit that. You can move it: a deep lob forces one of them to turn and travel, and for those two seconds nobody is standing on the net. Hit it cross-court, because the diagonal is the longest line on court and gives you the most margin.
What this means at your level
Beginner
Aim at the back fence, not at the sky. A lob that lands in the last three metres is a good one even if it is not pretty.
Intermediate
Lob over the player who has to travel furthest, usually the one on the far diagonal, and lob to their backhand side. Then move in with your partner as soon as it clears them.
Advanced
Mix the lob height. A flatter, faster lob over the shoulder is far harder to bandeja than a high floating one, because it takes their preparation time away without giving them a free smash.
Common questions
You and your partner are both at the back. Both opponents are established at the net. What do you play?
Deep lob, cross-court. Only the lob moves a net pair backwards. Everything else invites them forward. A pair at the net controls the point because they hit downwards and you hit upwards. You cannot out-hit that. You can move it: a deep lob forces one of them to turn and travel, and for those two seconds nobody is standing on the net. Hit it cross-court, because the diagonal is the longest line on court and gives you the most margin.
Why not drop shot into the gap?
A short ball to a pair already standing at the net is a gift. They step in and hit down.
What should a beginner do here?
Aim at the back fence, not at the sky. A lob that lands in the last three metres is a good one even if it is not pretty.
How does this change for an advanced player?
Mix the lob height. A flatter, faster lob over the shoulder is far harder to bandeja than a high floating one, because it takes their preparation time away without giving them a free smash.
Puzzles like this one
You have served. Where do you go?
In padel you serve in order to get to the net. Serve, then go.
intermediateWhat do you do with the return of serve?
The return lob is how the receiving pair steals the net. Aim over the player who is still moving.
advancedThey are camped at the net and you cannot lob. What now?
If you cannot lift it over them, make them lift it for you. The chiquita is a slow ball at their feet.