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A lob comes down the middle between you both. Who hits it, with what?
Middle lob: the left-side player's forehand overhead, called early, hit deep cross-court, partner shifts to cover.
You are on the left at the net, partner on the right, both right-handed. A lob lands in the middle, medium depth. What happens?
Middle lob: the left-side player's forehand overhead, called early, hit deep cross-court, partner shifts to cover.
Why
The same rule that gives the middle volley to the forehand gives the middle lob to the forehand overhead. The left-side player (for two right-handers) calls it, moves across to take it with a bandeja or smash depending on depth, and hits it deep cross-court, the long diagonal, while the partner slides toward the middle to cover the space the hitter has left. The call has to be early and loud, before the ball has peaked, so that the partner does not also go for it. A middle lob with no call is a collision or a miss; with a call it is a routine overhead.
What this means at your level
Beginner
The player on the left says "mine" on middle lobs. The player on the right slides toward the middle. Agree it before you start.
Intermediate
The bandeja from the middle goes deep cross-court to the opponents' left corner. It is the longest ball and gives you the most time.
Advanced
If the opponents keep lobbing the middle, they are testing your communication. Take three in a row cleanly and they will stop.
Common questions
You are on the left at the net, partner on the right, both right-handed. A lob lands in the middle, medium depth. What happens?
Your forehand bandeja, cross-court. Middle lob: the left-side player's forehand overhead, called early, hit deep cross-court, partner shifts to cover. The same rule that gives the middle volley to the forehand gives the middle lob to the forehand overhead. The left-side player (for two right-handers) calls it, moves across to take it with a bandeja or smash depending on depth, and hits it deep cross-court, the long diagonal, while the partner slides toward the middle to cover the space the hitter has left. The call has to be early and loud, before the ball has peaked, so that the partner does not also go for it. A middle lob with no call is a collision or a miss; with a call it is a routine overhead.
Why not your partner takes it on the backhand?
A backhand overhead in the middle when a forehand is available is the wrong default. The forehand takes it.
What should a beginner do here?
The player on the left says "mine" on middle lobs. The player on the right slides toward the middle. Agree it before you start.
How does this change for an advanced player?
If the opponents keep lobbing the middle, they are testing your communication. Take three in a row cleanly and they will stop.
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.
intermediateYour partner got pulled wide. Where do you stand?
The pair moves like one body. When your partner is pulled wide, you take the middle.
intermediateShort, high and yours. Bandeja or smash?
Deep ball, bandeja. Short ball with your weight going forward, smash.