Why Smart Pickleball Players Use Lobs and Why You Should Too

“Only Beginners Hit Lobs”: Why That’s Completely Wrong

There’s a quiet stigma that floats around many pickleball courts, especially at the intermediate levels: the belief that lobs are a beginner’s shot. You’ll hear players scoff when a lob is used. Some roll their eyes. Others treat it like a fluke or an accident, as if no real player would ever resort to something so basic.

But here’s the truth: that mindset is completely wrong. And not only wrong—but limiting.

Lobs, when used correctly, are one of the most strategic, disruptive, and downright frustrating shots a player can use. They can change the rhythm of a rally, reset control, and expose weaknesses in even the most experienced opponents. Thinking of them as a beginner’s move ignores the craft, timing, and intention that go into a well-placed lob.

So why does the myth persist? And why do the best players in the game still use lobs—while others refuse to?

Let’s unpack it.

Where the Stigma Starts

Many beginners do hit lobs—but not intentionally.

In early games, lobs often come from mishits. A player tries to dink but sends it flying. Or they panic when under pressure and toss the ball high, just hoping to stay in the point. These kinds of lobs are usually shallow, easy to smash, and not hit with much strategy behind them.

And because of that, some players develop the idea that lobs are low-level. They associate them with bad technique, poor footwork, or desperation. That perception sticks. Even as players improve, they avoid the lob—not because it isn’t useful, but because they don’t want to look like they’re playing the wrong shot.

But there’s a world of difference between an accidental lob and an intentional one.

What a Smart Lob Actually Looks Like

A well-executed lob isn’t lazy—it’s surgical.

It’s disguised like a dink, hit from a balanced stance, and placed high and deep over the non-volley zone. Ideally, it arcs just above the opponent’s reach and lands near the baseline. That kind of lob forces a decision: backpedal and try to hit a high ball under pressure, or switch positions with your partner and run it down from behind.

Both options are uncomfortable.

And that’s the point. A good lob disrupts comfort. It resets the tempo, exposes footwork weaknesses, and forces opponents to defend in ways they may not be ready for. Even strong players hate getting lobbed—especially when it’s unexpected.

It’s Not a Power Game. It’s a Control Game.

At lower levels, players often rely on pace. Drives, slams, smashes. They feel in control when the ball is moving fast. But smart pickleball isn’t always about speed—it’s about balance, positioning, and unpredictability.

The lob fits right into that mindset. It’s not about overpowering your opponent. It’s about throwing off their rhythm.

Imagine a long dink rally where both teams are locked in, neither willing to blink. Then suddenly, a lob floats over the heads of the net players. One team is forced to scramble back. Maybe they switch sides. Maybe they send up a high return. Maybe they miss entirely. Either way, the rhythm is broken—and the team that introduced the lob is now dictating the pace.

That’s not beginner’s luck. That’s veteran-level strategy.

When the Lob Becomes the Right Shot

There are several moments in a rally when the lob isn’t just viable—it’s the best choice:

Against overly aggressive players: If your opponents are constantly leaning forward, creeping into the kitchen, or looking to poach, a lob can punish their overcommitment.

When your team is on defense: A lob from a low or off-balance position can buy time and force a reset, allowing your team to get back into proper court positioning.

To switch the pattern: If every point has settled into fast, flat exchanges or dink battles, a sudden lob can throw a wrench into the routine and force a new look.

To exploit poor mobility: Older players, injured players, or even just opponents who aren’t good at backpedaling are perfect targets. A lob makes them move in uncomfortable ways.

Used selectively and with intention, the lob becomes a tactical weapon. Not every lob needs to be a winner. Sometimes it just needs to break the rhythm long enough to create a better opportunity on the next shot.

Why Some Players Never Learn It

The irony is that many intermediate and even advanced players could use the lob effectively—but never develop the skill.

Why?

Because they’re afraid of it being returned aggressively. They’ve seen poor lobs get smashed and assume that’s the inevitable result. But those aren’t smart lobs—they’re bad lobs. The difference lies in execution.

A shallow lob, hit without spin, arc, or disguise, will always be vulnerable. A deep, high, spinning lob hit at the right time catches opponents off guard. And when placed over the backhand shoulder of a less mobile opponent? That’s not just a safe shot—it’s a high-reward play.

The real reason players don’t learn the lob has more to do with pride than performance. They don’t want to look silly. They don’t want to be “that player.” But in avoiding the lob, they’re leaving a valuable tool on the table.

How to Practice It

To add the lob to your arsenal, start slow and intentional. Here’s how:

Lob from the dink position: During a dink rally, practice hitting a lob with the same motion as your dink. Use your legs to lift the ball, and add just enough spin to keep it from sailing long.

Aim for depth: You want your lob to land within a foot or two of the baseline—not short. Use cones or markers to visualize your target zone.

Work on disguise: Practice using the same setup for a dink and a lob, so your opponent can’t tell which is coming until it’s too late.

Lob during warm-up: Try a few gentle lobs during dink warmups to get a feel for the motion. It’s less about power and more about touch.

With time, you’ll learn to control the height, depth, and spin—making the lob not just safe, but deadly.

A Tool, Not a Crutch

Of course, the lob isn’t something you should use on every point. Like any tool, its effectiveness depends on how sparingly and wisely you use it. Too many lobs in a row, and your opponents will adjust. But used at just the right moment, it can flip a rally on its head.

The players who understand that—who use the lob with precision, not panic—are often the ones who control matches without overpowering anyone. They play smart. They play calm. And they use every inch of the court.

So the next time someone calls the lob a “beginner’s shot,” take it as a sign they haven’t learned its value yet. Then wait for the perfect moment, disguise it with a dink, and float one just out of reach.

You’ll win the point. And maybe change a few minds in the process.