How to Hit a Pickleball Lob

A lob is a high, arcing shot hit over your opponents' heads, designed to travel deep and land near their baseline. When timed well and properly disguised, the lob is one of pickleball's most effective pattern-breakers — it forces opponents off the kitchen line and resets the entire dynamics of the rally. Used poorly, it's one of the easiest balls to put away with an overhead smash.

When to Use the Lob

The lob works best as a surprise shot used sparingly. The ideal moment is when your opponents are crowding the kitchen line, leaning forward, and not anticipating an overhead ball. If they're watching for the lob, they'll simply step back and smash it.

• Use the lob when: Opponents are tight to the kitchen line and not watching overhead; you want to change pace and disrupt their rhythm; you're playing outdoors with wind at your back.
• Avoid the lob when: Opponents are skilled overhead players; it's windy and you're lobbing into the wind; you've already lobbed twice in the game and they're anticipating it; you're in a high-pressure point where consistency matters more.

How to Hit a Pickleball Lob

• Disguise: The most important element of a good lob is making it look like a dink until the last possible moment. Set up identically to a dink — same stance, same backswing.
• Contact point: Get underneath the ball slightly and brush upward through contact. The upward brushing motion creates the high arc.
• Follow through: Finish high, with your paddle moving upward. A low follow-through produces a flat ball that's easy to smash.
• Depth: Aim for the back third of the court, ideally landing near the baseline. A shallow lob that lands in the middle of the court is easy to put away. A deep lob that lands near the baseline is extremely difficult to attack.
• Direction: Lobs aimed down the middle of the court are lower risk in doubles (no sideline to miss). Lobs aimed to the corners require more precision but are harder to run down.

Offensive vs. Defensive Lob

Offensive lob: Hit from the kitchen line when opponents are close to the net. This is the primary lob — a deliberate tactic to force opponents back. Well-disguised offensive lobs are extremely difficult to defend.

Defensive lob: Hit when you're in trouble — pulled wide, off balance, or unable to make a clean reset. The defensive lob buys time to recover your position. Aim deep and high; don't worry about placement, just get the ball over their heads and use the time to reset to the kitchen line.

How to Defend Against a Lob

• Recognize it early: Watch your opponent's paddle face and wrist. An upward brush at contact signals a lob.
• Turn and run: As soon as you see the lob, turn sideways and run back — don't backpedal. Backpedaling is slow and makes it harder to hit overhead.
• Let it bounce if necessary: If you can't get into position for an overhead, let the ball bounce and reset from the baseline.
• In doubles: Call it early — say “mine” or “yours” immediately to avoid collision. The player positioned to take it should call for it.Note

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a lob legal in pickleball?

Yes — the lob is completely legal. There are no restrictions on how high or deep a ball can be hit as long as it lands in the opponent's court. Both offensive and defensive lobs are standard, legal shots in pickleball.

Why does my lob keep going out?

The most common cause is too much pace at contact. The lob should be a controlled, upward brush — not a hard swing. Focus on the upward follow-through and reduce overall swing pace. Wind is also a major factor outdoors — adjust your depth based on wind direction.

How high should a pickleball lob be?

High enough to clear your opponents' reach (typically 10–15 feet above the net) while still landing inbounds near the baseline. A lob that's too low can be cut off before it reaches the baseline; a lob that's too high drifts out or hangs in the air long enough for your opponent to get back and smash it.

Related Articles

• Pickleball Shots & Techniques Library: Every Shot You Need to Know
• Pickleball Strategy Guide: How to Win More Points, Games, and Matches
• Complete Pickleball Rules Guide

Questions about pickleball shots and techniques? Email [email protected].