Have you ever tried ripping a winner off of someone's topspin lob while you were 8 feet behind the baseline? Trying to hit a slow paced high bouncing ball for a winner is only asking for trouble. When you are pinned behind the baseline retrieving a lob, remember this, one good lob deserves another.

In a world of tennis players who want to rip every ball like the pro players we need to remember that a lot of times there is a better shot selection for us non-ATP players. In the middle of a point when your opponent throws up a lob the dynamics of the point have just changed. You now have a ball that will most likely bounce higher than your head and have absolutely no pace on the ball what so ever. So how do you return such a lob, assuming you can not get underneath it to hit an overhead? Return a lob with a lob, it is a safe shot.

Trying to hit a winner off of the lob will almost be an impossible shot. First of all you have to generate all the power because the ball is moving slow, second the ball is going to bounce really high and third you will most likely be too far behind the baseline to hit the ball offensively.

Here is what I propose. Throw back another lob, but make it more of an offensive lob if you can. Hit the lob with some topspin so the ball with bounce high and with some pace, almost more of a moon-ball rather than a lob. This will allow you time to get back into position and wait for the return. This will also not allow your opponent to get under the ball to hit an overhead (at least easily). By throwing up an offensive lob you are increasing your chances of getting a short ball in return allowing you to attack. You can also throw up an offensive lob and sneak into the net if you feel you have the time and are in the right position to do so.

By throwing up an offensive lob/moon ball you give yourself time to get back into position and play the percentages.

Good Luck on the Court!
Scott Baker
Tennis4you.com