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Cross-court lob or down-the-line lob?
Cross-court lob by default: longer, safer, and to the backhand overhead. Down the line when they cheat.
Both net players are in normal position. Which direction does the lob go by default and when do you change it?
Cross-court lob by default: longer, safer, and to the backhand overhead. Down the line when they cheat.
Why
The cross-court lob travels the longest distance on the court, which means more time for the ball to be in the air and for your pair to move forward, and more margin for depth. Against two right-handers it also lands toward the backhand overhead of the diagonal player. The down-the-line lob is shorter and over the higher part of the net, so it is the change of direction rather than the default: played when the diagonal net player has started moving toward the cross-court before you hit. The middle lob is for a specific moment: when the two net players have drifted apart and neither owns the centre.
What this means at your level
Beginner
Lob diagonally across the court most of the time. It is the safest and it gives you the most time.
Intermediate
Watch the diagonal net player's feet as you set up. If they are already drifting toward the cross-court, lob the line. And remember the target: the left-side player's backhand is cross-court from your left half, down the line from your right.
Advanced
Once the lob is deep every time, direction becomes the weapon. Three cross-court lobs then one down the line beats one player; the pattern beats the pair.
Common questions
Both net players are in normal position. Which direction does the lob go by default and when do you change it?
Cross-court by default; down the line when they cheat across. Cross-court lob by default: longer, safer, and to the backhand overhead. Down the line when they cheat. The cross-court lob travels the longest distance on the court, which means more time for the ball to be in the air and for your pair to move forward, and more margin for depth. Against two right-handers it also lands toward the backhand overhead of the diagonal player. The down-the-line lob is shorter and over the higher part of the net, so it is the change of direction rather than the default: played when the diagonal net player has started moving toward the cross-court before you hit. The middle lob is for a specific moment: when the two net players have drifted apart and neither owns the centre.
Why not down the line by default. It is shorter, so it arrives faster?
Shorter also means easier to over-hit, and the line lob from the corner is over the higher part of the net. Cross-court is the default.
What should a beginner do here?
Lob diagonally across the court most of the time. It is the safest and it gives you the most time.
How does this change for an advanced player?
Once the lob is deep every time, direction becomes the weapon. Three cross-court lobs then one down the line beats one player; the pattern beats the pair.
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.
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.