💡 Tactics and Technique 💡

How to deal with a player that lobs constantly

I have only been playing for about 3 months but its quickly turning into a lifestyle. Most of my games feel quite proper and good. But I have this one friend that constantly lobs to the back which really slows the tempo of the game down. So he lobs and takes the net, then the only thing I feel I can do it lob back behind them as they and their partner especially have quite a strong smash, and the point turns into this exchange of trading lobs and running to the net and back until someone makes an error. I dont really see better players play like this so Im guessing there is something we can do better, to speed up the tempo again and prevent them for lobbing us constantly. Im aware lobs are a big part of the game but if someone overuses them to this extent it makes the game a lot less fun. Thanks for any advice.

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Comments (11)

u/BavardR4w ago

Punish their lobs? Víboras, bajadas, smashes, bandeja and take the net, eventually they will hit a bad lob or an attackable ball. The whole point of a lob is to slow the game and take the net so it sounds like his strategy is working against you, make it not a good strategy

u/avarageusernameOP4w ago

Yeah its working quite well haha but its also working against them equally well as they dont know what to do about it either so im not sure why they do it. Which of the shots you mentioned is the easiest and most safe to do from the back of the court? Im quessing bandejas?

u/BavardR4w ago

Yes bandeja (defensive from mid/back court against high lob) or bajada (attacking hard overhead shot off the glass) Víbora or smash for a bad lob that is attackable out of the air

u/AnxiousInspection5824w ago

If you know he is going to lob all the time, wait for it in the transition zone, that way it will be easier to return a víbora or bandeja. As a beginner it is bad to stay in the transition zone due to getting chiquitas at the feet, but if he always lobs, then its fine

u/Upper-Application5834w ago

Need more balls that go lower

u/Upper-Application5834w ago

So learn viboras maybe

u/avarageusernameOP4w ago

Yeah definitely planning to practice those when I get a chance

u/idix14w ago

If he can lob all the time that means he is getting easy balls all the time. Pros would also lob more often if their opponents gave them opportunity for that.

u/Adept_Deer_59764w ago

Work on your overheads. Get a vibora and a bajada. Make the lob a risk, so poor lobs get punished. Otherwise, sounds like this guy is playing padel … he’s lobbing, taking the net and playing the points at his tempo. That’s solid tactical play

u/Masty19924w ago

This is completely normal gameplay actually. It tarts to go away when people have better overheads but even then it happens a lot. Don’t blame the players style, just find a way to win