Make Them Hate You!

The Lob is a devastating weapon! Club level players don't use the lob enough! 

When you are a good lobber, it forces the server’s partner to position themselves farther back from the net and therefore less of a threat to poach the return of serve and gives you a nice big open space to hit your return.

When you are a good lobber, it doesn't allow the server the freedom to advance aggressively into the front court to play volleys. 

Lobbing creates tactical doubt, which in turn discourages the opponent from launching a game plan that gets their team into the KILL ZONE (10 to 15 feet from the net) to spike downward at the opponent's feet or angle the ball sharply off the edge of the court.

You know that you hate playing CHRONIC LOBBERS!! 

Why do you hate playing them? Because you most likely lose to them. 

They ruin your rhythm, they make you run, and they make you hit overheads (which is a shot most club level players NEVER PRACTICE)  

Understanding this match play reality, do you and your teammates carve out time to sharpen this universally maligned tactical play? Do you practice hitting 20 or 30 lob returns of serve from both the forehand and backhand corners of your service box? I'm betting you don't.

Do you practice the communication and movement patterns necessary to respond to a skilled lobber? MINE!!...YOURS!!...SWITCH!! Drill that situation over and over until it's as easy as falling off a log.

Practice your overhead from all areas of the court so that you can crush it for a winner when you are close to the net, and then also be able to play it routinely back to a safe target when you are pushed behind the half-court line.

Don't avoid working on this skill (THE LOB) because you may think it's an inferior way to play and be sure to practice the responses to the opponent's lobbing tactics, be that hitting overheads or switching to chase it down and lobbing it back after the bounce.

There are coaches somewhere drilling their teams on these skills and scenarios as you are reading this column. If you want to have a fighting chance to beat those teams you need to do those same drills!

You've got to be willing to fight the same fight they are bringing to beat you.

Fill your toolbox with reliable skills that you can employ calmly in the heat of battle and be sure that the lob is a weapon that you are well versed in and are eager to use.

My YMCA Summer Clinic Schedule

TUESDAYS from 9:00 to 10:30 - STROKE IMPROVEMENT DRILLS 

WEDNESDAYS from 9:00 to 10:30 - STROKE IMPROVEMENT DRILLS

FRIDAYS 9:00 to 10:30 - DOUBLES  SKILLS, TACTICS and POSITIONING   

These drill sessions are designed for 3.0 and 3.5 level players.

Text me at 239-450-0226 to register for clinics or Private Lessons.