Master the Art of Beating Lobbers in Pickleball: At the 3.0 to 3.5 recreational level, skilled lobbers can make players feel like they’re constantly on the run, but instead of just scrambling, players can turn the tables. By using effective pickleball strategies, players can take control of the game, punish the lobber’s weaknesses, and make them regret relying on lobs.
Step 1: Make Lobs a Liability
Lobbers thrive when they have time, balance, and good positioning. When they are set, they can deliver a perfectly executed lob over the opponent’s head. To disrupt this, it’s essential to force them into uncomfortable positions.
How to Take Control:
- Hit to Their Feet – By making the lobber hit upward from low drives or rolling dinks, they’ll struggle to deliver accurate lobs.
- Speed Up the Game – Lobbers rely on time to set up their shots. By playing fast, aggressive shots, players force the lobber into rushed decisions.
- Move Them Side to Side – By consistently moving the lobber across the court, they will struggle to maintain accuracy. When forced to adjust, the lobber will become less effective, often leading to weaker or out-of-bounds lobs.
Step 2: Use Their Own Strategy Against Them
Many lobbers are uncomfortable when they’re the ones being lobbed. They’re great at sending lobs over opponents but struggle with their own defense against high, deep shots.
How to Test Their Lob Defense:
- Target Them with Deep Lobs – Throw the lob back at them to make them work and test their footwork and positioning.
- Make Them Run Backwards – If the lobber has advanced after hitting a lob, send a deep shot behind them. This forces them to backpedal, often leading to a weak or poorly placed return.
By putting them in these uncomfortable positions, they will lose confidence in their own lobbing abilities.
Step 3: Force Lobbers into the Midcourt
Lobbers are weakest when caught in the midcourt. From this position, it’s hard for them to execute effective lobs.
How to Force Them to Midcourt:
- Drop Shots in the Transition Zone – These shots force the lobber to move forward and hit from an awkward position.
- Attack the Body – By sending pickleball shots straight at the lobber’s chest, you disrupt their ability to generate a controlled lob.
- Slice Dinks – Low, dying slices force the lobber to bend down and struggle to hit the ball accurately, making lobbing difficult.
Lobbers trapped in midcourt will have a hard time returning to their comfortable baseline positions, making them vulnerable to attack.
Step 4: Anticipate and Preempt Their Lobs
Anticipating when a lobber is about to lob is key. By reading their body language and paddle positioning, you can prepare to counter their moves before they even make them.
How to Spot a Lob in the Works:
- Watch Their Paddle Angle – If their pickleball paddle face is open, they’re likely about to lob.
- Monitor Court Position – If they’re close to the kitchen, they’re in a prime lob position.
- Notice Body Movement – Lobbers tend to dip their knees or crouch before sending a high shot.
How to Counter:
As soon as you recognize the signs, begin retreating early. You’ll have more time to set up for a powerful overhead or a well-placed return. Instead of always retreating, consider intercepting the lob early to take it out of the air, denying the lobber time to react.
Step 5: Shut Down Their “Reset” Lobs
Some lobbers use lobs as a way to reset when they’re under pressure. If you allow them to use the lob in these situations, they’ll keep relying on it.
How to Prevent This:
- Move Inside the Baseline – By moving closer to the net, you can intercept their lob before it drops, preventing them from getting the reset they need.
- Smash at an Angle – When smashing, aim for the sidelines or open areas of the court, making it harder for the lobber to recover.
By eliminating their “safe” lob, you force the lobber to find another way to reset, taking away their comfort zone.
Step 6: Break Their Confidence
Lobbers rely on dictating the pace of the game. If you break their rhythm, they will make more mistakes.
Psychological Warfare:
- Vary Your Return Speed – Mixing in soft drop shots can disrupt their timing.
- Play Off-Speed Overheads – Occasionally, use slower, high balls to their backhand, catching them off guard.
- Target Their Partner – If they are only relying on lobs, keep the ball away from them and aim at their partner instead.
Disrupting their rhythm will cause them to second-guess their lobbing strategy, leading to errors and mistakes.
Make the Lobber Adjust
Instead of adjusting to the lobber’s pickleball game, force them to adjust to yours. By making them hit lobs under pressure, from awkward positions, and on the run, you can take control of the pickleball game.
Exploiting their weaknesses and forcing them to play on the move will turn their lobs into a liability. By staying ahead in the pickleball match, you’ll force them into making mistakes, eventually eliminating their most dangerous technique.
News in Brief: Master the Art of Beating Lobbers in Pickleball
This explains how to neutralize and punish strong lobbers in pickleball. By making lobs a liability, using deep lobs, forcing movement, and reading their body language, pickleball players can turn the lobber’s strengths into weaknesses and take control of the pickleball game.
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