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You served; the return lobs your partner deep. What do you do?
A return lob over your partner means both go back. The serve did not earn the net this time.
You are coming in behind your serve. The return is a deep lob over your net-side partner. What is your role?
A return lob over your partner means both go back. The serve did not earn the net this time.
Why
A good return lob over the server's partner takes the net away from the serving pair. The server, who has been running in, has to stop and go back with the partner so that the pair defends together. It feels like a loss of momentum, and it is, but the alternative, one player at the net and one at the back, is far worse. The pair defends the next ball from the back, lobs to win the net again, and comes forward together. A serve that is lobbed is not a failed serve; it is a point that starts from the back.
What this means at your level
Beginner
If your partner is running back for a lob, you go back too. Serve, look, adjust.
Intermediate
As you retreat, drift toward the middle. Your partner's reply from the corner is going to be a lob, and the opponents' next ball comes through the middle.
Advanced
Serve wide into the glass to make the return lob harder to control. A returner stretched wide hits shorter lobs, and short lobs are smashes.
Common questions
You are coming in behind your serve. The return is a deep lob over your net-side partner. What is your role?
Stop coming in and drop back level with your partner. A return lob over your partner means both go back. The serve did not earn the net this time. A good return lob over the server's partner takes the net away from the serving pair. The server, who has been running in, has to stop and go back with the partner so that the pair defends together. It feels like a loss of momentum, and it is, but the alternative, one player at the net and one at the back, is far worse. The pair defends the next ball from the back, lobs to win the net again, and comes forward together. A serve that is lobbed is not a failed serve; it is a point that starts from the back.
Why not keep coming in. You have not been lobbed?
You have not been lobbed, but your partner has, and a pair with one at the net and one at the back is the shape you never want.
What should a beginner do here?
If your partner is running back for a lob, you go back too. Serve, look, adjust.
How does this change for an advanced player?
Serve wide into the glass to make the return lob harder to control. A returner stretched wide hits shorter lobs, and short lobs are smashes.
Puzzles like this one
They lobbed you deep. Smash it or play the bandeja?
Deep ball, high hands: bandeja. The shot exists to keep you at the net, not to win the point.
beginnerThe ball is at your feet at the net. What now?
A ball below the net cannot be attacked. Block it deep and wait for one above the tape.
beginnerYou have served. Where do you go?
In padel you serve in order to get to the net. Serve, then go.