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Tennis lob technique: Master the art of the lob to surprise your opponent

The lob is a technical tennis shot that can change the course of a rally when executed correctly. It can be used to get past an opponent at the net or to gain time to reposition yourself. Although the lob may seem simple, mastering it requires a good understanding of technique, timing and placement. In this article, we’ll show you how to improve your tennis lob with practical advice, exercises and tips on how to incorporate this shot into your game. Perfect your lob with a tennis course supervised by Mouratoglou Methodology experts .

1. What is the lob in tennis and why use it?

The lob: A defensive and offensive move

The lob is a shot which consists of hitting the ball above your opponent. It can be used in two main situations:

  • In defence: When your opponent is approaching the net, a well-placed lob can force him back or even overtake him completely.
  • Attacking: In some cases, an offensive lob can destabilise your opponent and give you a winning point.

The advantages of the lob

The lob is a versatile shot with several advantages:

  • Surprise your opponent: The lob is unpredictable and often forces your opponent to run backwards, which can throw them off balance.
  • Buying time: When you’re under pressure, a well-executed lob can buy you time to reposition yourself.
  • Change the rhythm: The lob can break the rhythm of a fast rally and set a new tempo for the rally.

2. Lob technique in tennis : The basics

  • Positioning and preparation

    Preparing the lob is crucial to ensuring it is executed correctly:

    • Body position: Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, ready to react to a fast ball. Keep your balance and be ready to adjust quickly.
    • Racquet placement: Keep the racquet slightly high so you can hit the ball at an upward angle.

  • Movement of the racket and impact with the ball

    Racquet movement is one of the most important aspects of the lob:

    • Bring the racket backwards: Before hitting the ball, bring your racket backwards and tilt it towards the ground.
    • Hit under the ball: The aim is to hit the ball from underneath to give it an upward trajectory. The racket should move up and down.
    • Angle and control: The key is to find the right angle to send the ball over your opponent, but far enough away to avoid an easy volley.

  • Timing and anticipation

    Timing is essential in the execution of the lob. Here are a few key points:

    • Anticipation: Observe your opponent’s movements and anticipate when he’s getting too close to the net.
    • Contact with the ball: The lob should be hit slightly in front of you, with gentle contact to obtain the right trajectory.

3. Exercises to improve your lob

  • stage de tennis durant les vacances

    Exercise 1: Working on ball placement

    Precision is essential for a successful tennis lob:

    • Aim: Place targets at the back of the court and try to place your lob precisely in these areas. This exercise helps you to improve the height and length of your lobs.
    • Repetitions: Repeat this exercise several times to improve your control and accuracy.

  • Exercise 2: Lobs in a match situation

    It’s important to practise your lobs under real match conditions:

    • Objective: Simulate situations where your opponent comes up to the net. Vary your lobs between defensive and offensive shots.
    • Benefits: This exercise allows you to work on the speed of your decisions and perfect your timing.
  • Decalage coup droit Dimitrov

    Exercise 3: Lobs under pressure

    To perform well in a match, you need to be able to hit lobs under pressure:

    • Exercise: Ask a partner to put you under pressure by attacking aggressively at the net. Your aim is to stay calm and hit a quality lob.
    • Objective: To learn how to hit lobs even when you’re cornered, while maintaining accuracy and height.

4. Common mistakes to avoid when running the lob

Mistake 1: Hitting the ball too hard

One of the most common mistakes is hitting the ball too hard, which results in a lob that is too low and easy to attack.
Solution: Concentrate on a fluid up-and-down movement and avoid hitting the ball with too much force.

Mistake 2: Poor anticipation

If you wait too long to hit a lob, you risk giving your opponent time to adapt.
Solution: Pay attention to your opponent’s position. As soon as he starts to come up to the net, prepare your lob.

Mistake 3: Lack of control over height

A lob that’s too high makes it easy for your opponent to reposition, whereas a lob that’s too low is easy to smash.
Solution: Practise regularly to find the right balance between height and length.

5. Incorporating the lob into your game strategy

Using the lob at key moments

The lob can be a decisive shot when you use it at the right moment:

  • Surprise your opponent: Use it when your opponent is too confident going to the net.
  • Change the rhythm: When the rally becomes too fast, a well-executed lob can break the rhythm and unsettle your opponent.

Combine the lob with other shots

The lob becomes even more effective when used in combination with other shots:

  • Amortie followed by a lob: A good strategy is to alternate between amorties and lobs to force your opponent to move backwards and forwards.
  • Exchange variation: Use lobs to surprise your opponent after a series of powerful shots.
     

Conclusion

Mastering the technical tennis lob takes practice and a good understanding of its subtleties. By adding the lob to your repertoire of shots, you’ll have an extra weapon with which to surprise your opponents and change the course of rallies. Train regularly with the exercises suggested, work on your anticipation and ball control, and you’ll quickly see improvements in your ability to hit this technical shot.

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Mouratoglou Academy, Biot, French Riviera, FRANCE

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  • MIDDLE EAST