When you are at the net, and your opponent hits a lob over your head....?

Question

what is the best way to return it?

Answer 1

If the lob is short, and your reaction time is good, you might be able to move back a bit and attempt an overhead. The pros make this look easy but it takes heaps of practice.

If it's a deep lob, and you have great foot speed, you could try to run it down, and hit a defensive lob in return, in order to give you sufficient time to regroup and get back into the rally. When running it down, make sure to figure out where and how it will bounce so you can plant your feet and hit the ball well. I would not recommend the between the legs shot, even though the pros try it, because it's an extremely low-success shot.

Answer 2

Depending on how far away from you the lob goes. If you are at the net, and they lob it right to the back of the court, you better run back there (I suggest backpedaling, while taking care not to fall over), and try to hit it, or just wait for the next point. If its close and you can make it, backpedal and get to the ball, and hit it. But if its to far away, try not to tire yourself and wait for the next point.

Answer 3

Singles

I would run top speed towards the baseline, don't looks back for else you would run slower without knowing. If could but rarely, you could see the shadow on the floor. Then once I reach the baseline, turn your head but don't completely stop. Try to make it fall towards you forehand, the would usaully snap the ball with my back towards it on my left side (right handed) but head turns enough to see the ball. Don't try to snap it just enough to get over the net but try the baseline, b/c when I aim for a drop in that position I usaully hit the net. Don't worry about top spin or under spin but don't hit an lob neither. If is an easy smash, then smash it with angle.

Doubles

If you are close to the ball and feel confident in youself go for it. (One Up One Back formation). If not, quickly cover the other side or call "take it" so your partner is aware. If it is "Double Up", if it lobs over you, your partner should take it because it is easier to see the ball sideways. You should go cover the other side.

Answer 4

when you say the lob is "over your head" i'm assuming that means you can not get up high enough to simply smash it.  If you see the lob is out of reach, turn, run back to catch up to the ball, and lift a high, defensive lob which (hopefully) will get you back into the point.  Don't try anything fancy like you see the pro's do in this situation; just use your defensive lob, and continue the point.

Answer 5

It's all about technique and footwork. You definitely have to have experience with smashes, and if its a short lob, you should smash it easily. A medium deep lob, say at the service line, requires that you backpedal and sometimes, jump up and do a scissors kick to get the smash. For a deep lob at the baseline, do not backpedal. You're going to hurt yourself running backwards so quickly, and you can see many pros do not backpedal, but sprint to the back and try to get in a groundstroke position to hit the ball back. Good luck.

Answer 6

at that point, you're trying to hit it back over and get back in position to continue the point (and not loose it right there)

any way you can hit it over and in without feeding your opponent a ball to put away would be the best.

maybe a defensive lob?

*edit* make sure you do a banana to get it (run back in a banana shape so you approach the ball more from the side rather that head on and trying to hit it back to the net)