How to Hit a Lob in Pickleball (and When to Use It)

The lob is one of pickleball’s most satisfying — and most risky — shots. Done well, it flips a point in your favor; done poorly, it hands your opponent an easy overhead. Here’s how to hit it and when.

What is a lob, and when should you use it?

A lob is a high, deep shot that sails over your opponents at the kitchen line and lands near their baseline. There are two kinds:

• Offensive lob — a surprise attack when opponents are crowding the kitchen line, hit from a dinking rally to push them back and open the court.
• Defensive lob — a “reset” when you’re out of position or under pressure, buying you time to recover.

How to hit a lob

• Use a low-to-high lifting motion with an open paddle face — you’re lifting the ball, not hitting through it.
• Aim for height and depth. The ball must clear the opponents’ reach and still land in — deep toward the baseline.
• Target the backhand corner. Backhand overheads are much weaker, so a lob over the backhand shoulder is far harder to punish.
• Add a little topspin if you can — it helps the ball drop in rather than sail long.

Disguise: the key to a good lob

A lob only works if it’s unexpected. Set up exactly like you’re about to dink — same posture, same paddle position — and lift at the last moment. If your opponent reads it coming, they’ll be back in position for an easy smash. The best lobs come out of nowhere in a dink rally.

How to defend against a lob

• Call it. Whoever has the best angle yells “mine” or “switch.”
• Turn and run — never backpedal. Backpedaling for a lob is the #1 cause of falls and wrist injuries in pickleball. Turn sideways, run to the ball, and set up.
• Let it bounce if it’s deep and reset the point rather than forcing a low-percentage overhead.

Common lob mistakes

• Too short — an easy putaway for the opponent.
• Too deep — sails out.
• Telegraphed — the opponent reads it and crushes it.
• Over-using it — a lob is a surprise weapon; spam it and it stops working.

Frequently asked questions

When should you lob in pickleball?

Use an offensive lob as a surprise when opponents are crowding the kitchen line, or a defensive lob to reset when you’re out of position. It works best occasionally and disguised — as a change-up, not a go-to shot.

How do you hit a lob in pickleball?

Use a low-to-high lifting motion with a slightly open face, aiming for both height and depth so the ball clears your opponents and still lands near the baseline. Target the backhand corner and disguise it as a dink until the last moment.

How do you defend against a lob?

Call the ball, then turn sideways and run to it — never backpedal, which causes falls and injuries. If it’s deep, let it bounce and reset the point rather than forcing a difficult overhead.

Is a lob a legal shot in pickleball?

Yes, the lob is completely legal. There’s no rule against hitting the ball high — just make sure it lands in bounds. Lobbing is a legitimate, if risky, strategic tool.

Why do my lobs go out?

Usually too much pace or not enough arc — you’re hitting through the ball instead of lifting it. Use a softer, low-to-high lifting motion and a touch of topspin to bring it down, and aim for depth without overhitting.

Round out your shots

The lob pairs with a patient soft game — build it with our guides on dinking, the third-shot drop, and shot selection.