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Their lob is going to hit your side glass before the back. What is the read?
Lob into the corner, two walls: move to the middle, let it come out, and hit your best lob back with all the time in the world.
A lob is coming down deep and wide, and will bounce and then hit the side glass before the back glass. How do you play it?
Lob into the corner, two walls: move to the middle, let it come out, and hit your best lob back with all the time in the world.
Why
A deep lob that lands wide enough to hit the side glass and then the back glass is, paradoxically, one of the easiest balls to defend well. Two walls take the pace off and send the ball out toward the middle of the court at a comfortable height, and the double rebound gives the defender more time than any other ball in padel. The trap is to try to take it early, in the air or before the second wall. Move toward the middle, watch both contacts, and use the time to hit a high, deep lob to the corner you choose.
What this means at your level
Beginner
When a lob goes into your corner, walk toward the middle of the court and wait. The ball will come out to you slowly.
Intermediate
The two-wall ball is the time to hit your very best lob. Take the extra second and place it deep to the backhand corner.
Advanced
The two-wall lob is also a moment to consider the drive: with time and a comfortable height, a flat ball at the feet of a net player who has relaxed can win outright.
Common questions
A lob is coming down deep and wide, and will bounce and then hit the side glass before the back glass. How do you play it?
Move to the middle and wait: two walls bring it out slowly. Lob into the corner, two walls: move to the middle, let it come out, and hit your best lob back with all the time in the world. A deep lob that lands wide enough to hit the side glass and then the back glass is, paradoxically, one of the easiest balls to defend well. Two walls take the pace off and send the ball out toward the middle of the court at a comfortable height, and the double rebound gives the defender more time than any other ball in padel. The trap is to try to take it early, in the air or before the second wall. Move toward the middle, watch both contacts, and use the time to hit a high, deep lob to the corner you choose.
Why not take it in the air before it reaches the glass?
A high, deep ball in the corner taken in the air is a risky overhead from a bad position. The walls will deliver it comfortably.
What should a beginner do here?
When a lob goes into your corner, walk toward the middle of the court and wait. The ball will come out to you slowly.
How does this change for an advanced player?
The two-wall lob is also a moment to consider the drive: with time and a comfortable height, a flat ball at the feet of a net player who has relaxed can win outright.
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