Topspin Lob Guide: Creating Height and Depth to Win More Points

The topspin lob is a valuable tool for advanced pickleball players. It allows you to create height and depth, pushing your opponents back and disrupting their offensive positioning. This shot can buy you time to recover, reset the point, or set up an offensive opportunity. When executed effectively, the topspin lob adds a layer of complexity to your game, making you a more challenging opponent. It requires practice to execute correctly, but the payoff is a more versatile and strategic approach to pickleball.

Key Takeaways

• The topspin lob is a valuable shot in pickleball for creating height, depth, and disrupting opponents.
• Proper technique involves a continental or semi-western grip, open stance, and a low-to-high swing path with wrist action to impart topspin.
• Common mistakes include insufficient height (fix by bending knees and using more wrist action) and too much force (reduce swing speed and focus on brushing the ball).
• Vary the height and depth of your lobs to keep opponents guessing and control the pace of the game.
• Drills like the Topspin Lob Practice Drill and Lob Target Drill can improve consistency, accuracy, and depth control.
• The key benefit is creating space by pushing opponents back, but the risk is hitting a short lob that's easily attacked.
• Mitigate risks through consistent technique and practice, and use the lob to create offensive opportunities.

Topspin Lob Techniques

The topspin lob requires a specific set of techniques to execute effectively. Here's a breakdown:

Grip

Use a continental or semi-western grip. This allows for greater wrist action, which is needed to generate topspin.

Stance

A slightly open stance helps you generate force and get under the ball. Keep your weight balanced and be ready to move.

Swing Motion

The key is a low-to-high swing path. Brush up the back of the ball with your paddle, using your wrist to impart topspin. The faster you brush up, the more topspin you'll create.

Court Position

Hitting a topspin lob from mid-court requires adjustments. When your opponent is at the net, aim your lob deep to push them back. If they are further back, you can use a shorter lob to keep them guessing.

Avoiding Common Topspin Lob Mistakes

Many players struggle with the topspin lob. Here are a couple of common mistakes and how to correct them:

Insufficient Height

A lob without enough height is easily attacked. Players often don't get low enough or brush up enough on the ball. To fix this, focus on bending your knees and using a more pronounced upward swing. Imagine hitting up and over a tall object. More wrist action will also help generate more topspin, which keeps the ball from sailing long.

Too Much Force

Overhitting the lob sends it out of bounds, handing your opponent a point. This happens when players try to hit the ball too hard instead of focusing on topspin. Reduce your swing speed and concentrate on brushing the ball. The topspin will bring the ball down into the court. Practice finding the right balance between spin and distance.

Impact on Strategy

If you don't get enough height, your lob becomes an easy target. If you hit it too hard, you give away points. Both mistakes prevent you from effectively creating height and depth, which is the main goal of the topspin lob. Correcting these errors allows you to control the point and dictate the pace of the game.

Advanced Topspin Lob Strategies

Once you've mastered the basic topspin lob, you can use it more strategically.

Creating Height and Depth

Vary the height and depth of your lobs to keep your opponents guessing. A high, deep lob pushes them far back, while a shorter lob can force a difficult volley.

Controlling the Pace

Use the lob to slow down the game when you need to recover or disrupt your opponent's rhythm. It gives you time to reset and plan your next move.

Exploiting Weaknesses

If your opponent struggles with overheads or has difficulty moving backward, the topspin lob becomes an even more effective weapon. Target their weaker side to force errors.

When to Use a Cross-Court Shot

Don't become predictable. If you overuse the lob, your opponent will anticipate it. Mix in cross-court shots to keep them off balance. A well-placed cross-court shot can catch them out of position and create an opening for you to attack.

Drills to Improve Your Topspin Lob

Here are a couple of drills designed to help advanced players refine their topspin lob:

Topspin Lob Practice Drill

This drill focuses on consistency and spin. Have a partner feed you balls from the baseline. Your goal is to hit ten consecutive topspin lobs that land deep in the opponent's court. Focus on your swing path and wrist action to maximize topspin. Adjust your grip as needed to fine-tune your spin.

Lob Target Drill

This drill improves accuracy and depth control. Place targets (cones or markers) at different depths in the opponent's court. Your goal is to hit topspin lobs that land within the target areas. Vary the height and spin of your lobs to hit each target. This drill helps you develop a feel for different lob trajectories.

Benefits and Risks of the Topspin Lob

The topspin lob offers significant advantages, but it's not without risk.

Key Benefit: Creating Space

The primary benefit of a well-executed topspin lob is that it pushes your opponents back from the net. This gives you more time to advance to the non-volley zone line (NVZ) or prepare for your next shot. It also disrupts their offensive positioning and forces them to react defensively.

Risk Factor: Medium

The main risk is hitting a short or flat lob that your opponent can easily attack. An under-hit lob can put you in a very defensive position. The risk is medium because with proper technique and practice, you can minimize these errors.

Mitigating Risks and Maximizing Benefits

To mitigate the risks, focus on consistent technique and accurate placement. Practice your lobs regularly and learn to adjust your swing based on the situation. In offensive situations, use the lob to create opportunities for you and your partner to move forward and control the net. Be prepared to follow your lob to the NVZ line to capitalize on a weak return.

Conclusion

The topspin lob is a valuable asset for any serious pickleball player. It allows you to control the pace of the game, create space, and exploit your opponent's weaknesses. While it requires practice and precision, becoming proficient with the topspin lob can improve your game.

Expert Tip: Focus on brushing up the ball for maximum topspin. This will help bring the ball down into the court and make your lobs more difficult to attack.