Why is the Lob So Important in Padel?

The lob is crucial in padel

The lob is often considered the most important shot in the game and it is the reason at the professional level points can have several lobs before a pair wins it. Many players come from tennis where the lob is played rarely and only in times of desperation, but in padel it could not be more different. Here are some reasons why you need to use the lob in padel:

Taking the Net

The lob is the most effective way to take the net position, which is the main objective during the point. Hitting the ball over your opponents to force them to the back of the court gives you time to move forward and changes a defensive position to an offensive. It is recommended to play the lob on easy balls so that players can accurately play over their opponents into corners (or middle) without the high risk and therefore is a much safer way of approaching the net.

Change the Rhythm

This is an extremely important tactic during a match, when your opponents are getting the upper hand with their volleys, playing a lob can slow the game down and give you time to recover. The lob is the shot that forces your opponent to take the most time because they have to wait for the ball to come down. The Chiquita is another effective shot for this, but due to the height variations you can hit on the lob, this is by far more effective.

Making Life Difficult For Your Opponents

The various overheads in padel are probably the most difficult for a player to master, both technically and tactically. So it is more than likely your opponents are not perfectly confident hitting all the types of bandeja, vibora, smashes etc (depending on their ability). Hitting a good lob is a great way to put your opponent under pressure when they are in an attacking position. This is even more effective outdoors, where factors like the sun position and windy can make it even more difficult to smash.

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