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How deep should a lob land?
Lob into the last two metres. A lob that lands around the service line is a smash.
You are lobbing over two net players in normal position. Where on their side should the ball bounce?
Lob into the last two metres. A lob that lands around the service line is a smash.
Why
The value of a lob is almost entirely in its depth. A lob landing in the last two metres before the back glass has to be played as a bandeja from deep, or let bounce and played off the wall; either way the net pair has been moved and the back pair has time to advance. A lob landing around the service line is taken in front, in balance, and smashed. The margin for error is real: a lob that is a metre too long hits the glass on the full and is out, but the risk of being slightly long is a much better risk than the certainty of being smashed.
What this means at your level
Beginner
Aim your lob to bounce a metre in front of their back glass. If it lands near the service line, hit the next one higher and harder.
Intermediate
Depth is controlled by height and pace together. A higher lob with the same pace lands deeper; practise the combination that lands in the last two metres.
Advanced
On an indoor court with a low roof, depth comes from a flatter, faster lob. Adjust the arc to the ceiling before the first game.
Common questions
You are lobbing over two net players in normal position. Where on their side should the ball bounce?
In the last two metres. Lob into the last two metres. A lob that lands around the service line is a smash. The value of a lob is almost entirely in its depth. A lob landing in the last two metres before the back glass has to be played as a bandeja from deep, or let bounce and played off the wall; either way the net pair has been moved and the back pair has time to advance. A lob landing around the service line is taken in front, in balance, and smashed. The margin for error is real: a lob that is a metre too long hits the glass on the full and is out, but the risk of being slightly long is a much better risk than the certainty of being smashed.
Why not just behind the net players, out of reach?
Just behind them is a step back and an easy overhead. Depth is the whole point.
What should a beginner do here?
Aim your lob to bounce a metre in front of their back glass. If it lands near the service line, hit the next one higher and harder.
How does this change for an advanced player?
On an indoor court with a low roof, depth comes from a flatter, faster lob. Adjust the arc to the ceiling before the first game.
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.
beginnerThe ball is coming off the back glass. When do you hit it?
Move back with the ball, let it pass you, hit it in front of your body.
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.