Au padel, lob is an essential move. For some coaches, it is even the most important shot because it allows you to gain points, to save points, to place yourself or to replace yourself, to save time or to follow the net.

But we will see that there are also different types of lobs.

The “high” lob: a defensive lob?

This is the most easily used lob for many reasons. First, because when we embark on the padel, we gladly have fun making candle lobs.

Then, the “high” lob is less risky than the stretched lob. In general, the ball stays in the field and it allows you to recover, take your time and get out of a delicate situation.

Sometimes the ball can even come out by 3 or 4 after the rebound, come to touch the back grid or stick to the window and thus offer you a winning point or put you in a very favorable situation to finish the point. The high lob is therefore in this case downright an offensive lob!

On the other hand, it can also have some inconveniences, especially when the level increases.

First, if you overdo high lobs, opponents will get used to it. Then, if it allows you to replace yourself, it is also the case for the players in front of you who can think about countering you. In addition, those most comfortable in the air can take the time to position themselves well under the ball and punish you with winning smashes.

Then, who says high lob can also mean high bounce after the glass. Again, things can go wrong for you. Indeed, if the ball comes out of the window too much, your opponents may continue to put pressure on you or even give you winning shots via offensive glass returns or “bajadas ”.

This is why, as often in padel, variation is the best solution. And so comes the stretched lob, which will often be a very good option, even more so in indoor clubs where lack of height can be a problem.

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The stretched lob: the ultimate weapon?

The tight lob is that lob that you think you can smash when in reality it will force you to step back while your opponents come and take the net.

This stretched lob is supposed to have a low bounce and therefore make impossible “bajadas” devastating. Done well, the tight lob also does not allow opponents to anticipate a smash or a high volley because it will arrive too quickly to allow optimal placement.

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Indoor structures that have low ceilings force you to do stretched lobs which is actually a very good workout. You also have to know how to use it wisely and choose your moment because a tight lob well anticipated by the opponents or a little too low will often lead to a punishment.

Morality, to progress padel, vary your shots and only take risks when it seems fully justified to you. In this regard, the article just below, which discusses the fact of “playing simple”, could be of great service to you.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovers the padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since padel is part of his life. You often see him touring France going to cover the major events of padel French.