Win Points on Defence with the Underspin Lob in Tennis

In todays lesson, I show you how to turn around the point on defence using the defensive slice lob. This shot can really frustrate your opponent, especially if they have set up a winning position.
You can use the defensive lob if the ball comes faster, stays really low or stretches you out wide and will buy you time to recover as we can use height as our weapon.
#tennis #tennislesson #lob #patricksmithtennis

[@christosvoniatis2149]

Yes 👍 great stategy hit the ball as high as possible 👍 thanks coach !!

[@PatrickSmithTennis]

Yes you don't always need to hit over your opponent on the lob and often height can be the weapon particularly if you lob high over the backhand side 👍. Thanks for your comment

[@dbk7238]

hi coach pat. ive used this shot often with much success messing up opponent's overhead in doubles. the topspin lob got lots of attention many years ago. the underspin lob was underrated and never really talked about.

[@PatrickSmithTennis]

Great to hear @dbk7238 and you are already using this shot. Agreed it can be an effective in doubles under pressure and Jamie Murray was lobbing 1 out of every 3 returns when he was world no1. And even more so at the recreational level where players are not as practiced on the smash. The topspin lob is more offensive but there is certainly a time and place for the underspin lob really high 👍

[@nathanmiller6051]

You're killin' it Coach 🎯 hopefully you're getting to watch some French Open? or at least highlights? I have to many favorite players! haha 😅 thanks 👊

[@PatrickSmithTennis]

Thanks Nathan, not even had to chance to catch the highlights yet I'm afraid as too busy on court myself 🙈! I have been keeping up with the results and listening to Gill Gross podcast for match analysis which I recommend though. I will definitely make time to watch the finals. Who is your pick this year? Seems more open than for a while in the men's draw 🎾

[@nathanmiller6051]

@@PatrickSmithTennis understandable, busy time of year for coaches, My favorite is Sinner 🎾💯 and I picked Iga on the women's side 🤷‍♂️ I'm not as enthusiastic about the stroke production among the WTA players, to much flip and flop and even some pancake palm up servers haha 😲😬 they seem to make it work but not at the very top of the game! Thanks Coach 🙏 always appreciate you!! 👊

[@PatrickSmithTennis]

​@nathanmiller6051 not many people picking Sinner with the injury problem but he says he's feeling fit and you wouldn't bet against him with his fork this year. Iga also a safe bet on any surface but especially clay so good picks 👍

[@nathanmiller6051]

@@PatrickSmithTennis well, I don't gamble so no money on the line haha hopefully some great tennis matches tho! 🙏

[@beladebloeme]

The moonball

[@PatrickSmithTennis]

😂 yes absolutely

[@TimTheMusicMan]

The lob is unique to tennis. As you can’t do something like this in any sport really and survive. It’s why IMO tennis can be won with little athletic ability, but if your crafty and a thinker you can win in Tennis. That’s why modern tennis is so boring. The equipment has destroyed the game, it’s not about power. It’s about strategy placement craftiness, it’s a thinking persons game. The problem is there are too many people now using the equipment to boom the ball and the result is horrible. They don’t really know what their doing but the equipment gives them an inflated opinion of themself.

[@PatrickSmithTennis]

Hey Tim, thanks for the comment. It's not just for players who are limited as you will still see this shot from Hugh level players in certain situations. At the elite level you do need athletic ability but agreed at the recreational level you see maybe older players who are limited physically but still able to compete with variety, strategy and ball placement especially in doubles. Nothing better than watching a clash of styles which is why Federer v Nadal was so entertaining but I think there is still a place for different styles like the serve and volley and drop shot we are seeing come back into the modern game

[@TimTheMusicMan]

@@PatrickSmithTennis I edited my original comment.

[@PatrickSmithTennis]

​@@TimTheMusicMan👍