The padel lob: the most important shot in the game
In padel, the pair at the net usually wins the point. The lob is how you take the net back. It's the shot that turns defence into attack, and good players hit it more than almost any other. Here is how to hit it well and where to put it.
Why the lob matters so much
When your opponents are at the net and you're at the back, you're under pressure. Hitting harder rarely helps: net players are close, quick and expect it. A good lob changes everything. It sends the ball over their heads, forces them to turn and run back, and gives you and your partner time to move forward and take the net.
That's why the lob isn't a "defensive" shot in padel. It's the main way to win back the attacking position.
How to hit it, step by step
- Prepare early. Turn side-on with the racket back, as you would for a normal groundstroke. The earlier you're ready, the harder the lob is to read.
- Get low. Bend your knees so you can get under the ball.
- Open the racket face so it points more towards the sky. This, not a big swing, creates the height.
- Swing low to high, pushing up through the ball with your legs.
- Finish high, with the racket above your head.
- Move forward with your partner as soon as the lob gets past the net players.
How high and how deep?
The perfect lob goes high enough that the net players can't reach it with an overhead, and lands deep, just beyond their service line but before the back glass. Too short and it sits up for a smash. Too long and it bounces high off the back glass, giving them an easy ball.
A useful image: you want the ball to drop behind the net players, so they have to turn around to play it.
Where to aim
| Direction | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-court | Longest distance, most room for error. Harder for opponents to attack off the glass. | Gives the net players a little more time to turn and chase it. |
| Down the line | Close to the side wall, so it's hard to smash. | Shortest distance, least margin. |
| Down the middle | Can cause confusion over who takes it. | The easiest lob for opponents to attack. If you play it, keep it fast rather than high. |
For most club players, the cross-court lob is the safest default.
When to lob
- When both opponents are at the net and you're at the back. This is the classic situation.
- From the back glass, after letting a ball come off the wall.
- When the net players are close to the net, leaving space behind them.
- On the return of serve, especially against a strong net player. See our serve and return guide.
- When you need time, for example after being pulled out of position.
The lob is less effective when the opponents are already standing back, or when the ball comes to you too low or too fast to control. In that case, a low ball to the feet, like a chiquita, may be better.
The offensive lob
Advanced players also use a lower, faster lob, sometimes with topspin. It's harder to hit, but it passes the net players quickly and gives them less time to react. Try it once your normal lob is reliable. A misjudged attacking lob is an easy smash for the opponents.
Common mistakes
- Lobbing short. The most common mistake, and the most expensive. Aim deeper than feels natural.
- Swinging too hard. Height comes from the open racket face and the lift from your legs.
- Staying back after a good lob. If the lob forces the opponents back, move forward and take the net.
- Telegraphing it. If you open the racket face early, or prepare differently from your other shots, opponents can read it.
- Lobbing into the ceiling or lights indoors. Know the venue's height before you play.
How to practise the lob
- Touch drills. Balance the ball on the racket, drop it and lift it up. Then rally by tapping the ball softly up into the air.
- Target lobs. Place a towel or cones just behind the service line on the other side. Lob from the back and count how many land in the zone.
- Two up, two back. Two players at the net, two at the back. The back pair must start every point with a lob. Swap every few points.
- Lob and move. After every lob that gets past the net pair, both back players move up to the net. The goal is to win the net, not just hit the lob.
The Padel Drill Book includes a full section of lob and overhead drills you can use as a pair or a four.
What the net players do
If you're on the other side, a good lob forces a choice: play an overhead such as a bandeja or víbora, or turn, let the ball bounce and play it off the back glass. Understanding this helps you lob better: the deeper and higher your lob, the harder it is for them to attack it.
Lobbing off the back glass
Many of the best lobs are played after the ball has come off the back glass. Let the ball come out, wait for it to drop, then get under it with an open face. Because the ball is moving towards the net after the rebound, you don't need much swing: the lift from your legs and the open racket face do most of the work. Patience is key. Players who rush this shot usually hit it short.
Common questions
Forehand or backhand lob?
Both. Club players tend to lob more comfortably on the forehand, so opponents often attack the backhand side. Practise the backhand lob with the same open face and low-to-high swing, and keep it short and controlled.
How do I know if my lob was good?
Watch the net players. If they turn and run back, or let the ball bounce and play it off the glass, the lob did its job. If they step back and smash, it was too short.