Love it or hate it, the lob is part of pickleball. If you’ve played for any length of time, you’ve likely been on the receiving end of one—and if you’re over 50, moving back safely and effectively is even more important.
We break down the lob into five key pieces so you can recognize it early, get into position, and send it back without giving your opponent an easy point. Get ready to learn how to return a lob!
Step 1: Recognizing the Lob Before It Happens
The earlier you recognize a lob, the better your chance of returning it well. Here’s what to watch for:
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Know your opponent’s tendencies – Some players are “lobbers” by nature. If you know they like the lob, be alert for it every rally.
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Watch their body position – A lobber will often get underneath the ball more than usual. Their paddle will dip under the ball, and you’ll see them press down before lifting up into the shot.
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Look for changes in their normal stroke – If their dink suddenly looks more like a scoop, a lob might be coming.
The takeaway? Stay aware of who you’re playing and what their paddle is doing.
Step 2: The First Move – “Open the Door”
Once you spot a lob coming, the first priority is safety. Many players trip and fall because they backpedal instead of turning.
Here’s the safe way to move:
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From your ready position, pivot so your body is perpendicular to the net—this is called “opening the door.”
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Your chest should now face the sideline, ready to move backward without crossing your feet.
This pivot keeps your balance stable and lets you move efficiently.
Step 3: Handling a Short Lob (Mid-Court)
If the lob will land about halfway between the kitchen (NVZ) and the baseline, you can often take it as an overhead.
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Open the door (pivot as above).
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Shuffle sideways—two or three quick lateral steps are usually enough.
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Track the ball with your non-paddle hand—this helps you position your body like a “trophy pose” in tennis.
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Hit under control—you’re not trying to smash a winner, just send it back deep enough to re-establish your position at the kitchen line.
Step 4: Handling a Deep Lob (Baseline)
If the lob is well-executed and going deep to the baseline:
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Open the door first—always start with safety.
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Turn completely and run—shuffling all the way back would be too slow.
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When you reach the ball, pivot back toward the net to prepare your return.
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If you have time, hit a controlled drop shot to regain net position. If not, lob it back and prepare for the next rally.
Step 5: The Golden Rules for Returning Lobs
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Recognize the lob early by reading your opponent’s tendencies and paddle position.
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Open the door before you move to keep your balance and prevent falls.
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For short lobs—shuffle and overhead with control.
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For deep lobs—turn and run, then reset for the next shot.
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Don’t overhit—keep the rally alive and get back to the kitchen line.
Bottom line:
The lob doesn’t have to be your weakness. With good recognition, safe movement, and a smart return, you can take control of the rally and keep your opponent on the defensive.
If you’d like to master your lob retrieval, check out our Lobs Course—you’ll learn step-by-step how to get to every lob and turn them into opportunities.
Pickleball Lob FAQ
1. What is a lob in pickleball?
A lob is a high, arching shot hit over your opponent’s head, often used to push them back toward the baseline or catch them off guard.
💡 Pro Tip: Think of a lob as your “reset button” or surprise weapon—it works best when your opponent least expects it.
2. When should I use a lob?
Use a lob when your opponent is close to the non-volley zone (kitchen) line and you see an open space behind them. It’s most effective when unexpected.
💡 Pro Tip: Try mixing lobs into dink rallies; if you always dink low, your lob will be a bigger surprise.
3. What’s the difference between an offensive and defensive lob?
An offensive lob is intentional and designed to score or force an error. A defensive lob is hit under pressure to buy time and reset the point.
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re on defense, aim your lob higher and deeper to give yourself time to recover to the NVZ line.
4. Is a lob considered bad etiquette in pickleball?
No—lobs are a legitimate strategy. However, repeatedly targeting a much slower or less mobile opponent can be viewed as poor sportsmanship.
💡 Pro Tip: Use lobs strategically, not as your only shot. A varied game keeps it fun and fair while still competitive.
5. Can a lob be hit from the kitchen?
Yes, you can hit a lob from anywhere on the court, including the kitchen, as long as you follow the non-volley zone rules if you volley.
💡 Pro Tip: If you lob from the kitchen, disguise it as a dink until the last second so your opponent can’t read it.
6. How high should a lob be?
Aim high enough to clear your opponent’s reach but not so high that it gives them time to recover and hit a strong shot.
💡 Pro Tip: A good rule of thumb—clear their paddle by at least 3–4 feet but keep it deep near the baseline.
7. What are common mistakes when hitting a lob?
Too short (easy smash for opponent), too high (gives them time), or telegraphing the shot by leaning back before contact.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep your paddle in front and swing through the ball with a smooth motion to avoid popping it up too short.
8. How can I practice returning lobs?
Have a partner feed lobs repeatedly so you can work on footwork, timing, and shot selection—both overheads and controlled groundstrokes.
💡 Pro Tip: Mix in both offensive smashes and softer returns so you can handle any lob situation in real matches.
CJ Johnson
Hey there — I’m a professional three-sport athlete and coach who has spent my entire adult life earning a living from playing and coaching sports. Since I started coaching more than three decades ago, one thing has remained the same: My commitment to see students not as they are but as what they can become and to move heaven and earth to help them realize their untapped potential. You should know that when it comes to helping pickleball players over 50 live their best lives on and off the courts, I'm an expert. Good pickleball is not just technique; it's the mind and body working holistically. That's why I'm also a personal trainer and weight management specialist. When I’m chillin', you'll find me watching Star Trek with my husband John and our two fur babies, Shirley and Ralph. (Yes, Happy Days)
I guess the question is, based on the type of lob, when do you drive and when do you try to drop a shot. Also, one needs to track the ball when going after the deep lob and of course, who goes after the lob.
Hey Charles, a couple of those are complex questions because of the number of variables and yes we cover them in the course. Let me give you a quick answer to what type of shot do you hit. When you are lobbed you are off the NVZ and your opponents are in control. You need time to get back into position, so choose the shot that buys you time. A lob, a drop and then a drive. But here’s the thing, hit whatever shot you can to make your opponent hit one more.