Sandy Farquharson breaks down two lob types: a fast, low-trajectory lob for attacking and a high, steep lob for defense. She explains how to use a chiquita to draw your opponent forward, then hit a fast lob to finish the point, and why timing and shot selection matter at every skill level.
Chapters
play the lob at the right time and choosing the right lob to play, right? So there, let's start with the second really there is that there's different types of lob. You can play the fast lob where you play it lower, but it's got a more horizontal trajectory and it goes over them. They may be able to jump up and reach it and touch it, but it goes more horizontal. And then you've got the high lob, which is almost the up and under where you go high, it goes vertical, the ball is dropping, it's more difficult to hit depending on conditions, opponents, et cetera. Game situation where you are in the point, you might use one more than the other. And then it's almost like selecting the right time in the point to play that. Now, we're always saying, particularly when learning, I think at a recreational level, club level, it's very much a get used to the lob as an attacking shot. Like, set the point up, get an easy ball, then use the lob because you're more likely to hit a quality lob if it's an easier ball. So, so then use the lob to get the depth to hit the quality. I think as you go up in level your, your level improves and your defense improves, and you can also play the lob as a defensive ball. But, but again, it's, it's choosing the right time to play that lob. So for example, if you're forced back in the corner towards the back glass, to play a fast lob is, is very difficult because you've got a smaller target area to aim for, and, and likely they're going to touch it and remain, you know, in position. Whereas if you can play a chiquita first, they come forward, you get an easy ball, and then you play a fast lob as a volley or after a chiquita, then you're more likely to, to to hit a good lob. And okay, we've gone quite specific with the example, but it's choosing the right time to, to play that lob.
