When to play a fast lob

If your opponents have a good x3 or smash it’s a good idea.

Fast lob is tricky, generally the idea with the lobs in padel is to get to the net, so you need time, which a slow and deep lob gives you exactly. So generally, you don't want to play lobs with too much speed or effect. However, there's one type of situation in my experience, where playing a faster lob with some wrist is okay. That's when both teams are at the net and you get a weaker chiquita almost behind you and you want to hit the lob with a bit of force and some wrist action to maintain the net. This is an extremely difficult shot though and most times even at intermediate level you'll either end up with the ball in the glass or allow your opponent to have an easy smash. So generally i'd stay away from fast lobs and instead focus on depth, slow doesn't mean bad in padel usually.

You play the fast lob to counter an opponent’s overheads, if they’re causing more damage than the volleys.  It’s much more useful now that the temperatures are rising, both because overheads get more dangerous and also because volleys give more rebound off the glass. The way to play the fast lob safely is to do it off the glass when the ball is already going forwards, and always play it parallel.  If you alternate with chiquitas you can pretty much negate the opponent’s overhead game. Of course then they’ll step closer to the net to hurt you more with their volleys and the high lob will come back into play, and so goes on the game of cat and mouse.

If the opponent is too close to the net, possibly after you played a chiquita.