Defending the lob as a pair

Setup

1. One pair at the kitchen line; the coach feeds from the opposite kitchen line. Waiting pairs stand well clear, outside the court.
2. Clear the space behind the baseline of balls and bags: players will be moving back at speed.
3. Outdoors, take a water break between rounds; this drill involves a lot of running.

How it runs

1. The coach dinks a couple of balls, then lobs over one player.
2. If the lobbed player can reach it comfortably, they call 'Mine!', turn sideways and hit an overhead or a controlled reply.
3. If the lob is over their head and behind them, the partner calls 'Switch!' and chases it on the diagonal, while the lobbed player crosses to cover the open half.
4. The chaser lets it bounce if needed, plays a soft drop or a high defensive lob, and both walk back up to the line together.
5. Switching sides during a rally is allowed; partners stay on their new sides until the point ends. Six lobs per pair, then rotate.

Coaching points

• Never backpedal. Turn sideways and shuffle or cross-step back, eyes on the ball. Falling backwards is one of the most serious injury risks in pickleball.
• Call early: 'Mine', 'Switch' or 'Bounce it'.
• The diagonal partner often has the better view and a straighter run to a lob over their partner.
• Letting a deep lob bounce is fine; it usually gives time for a calm reset.
• Get back to the line together. One up and one back leaves a hole in the middle.

Common mistakes

• Both players chasing the same lob.
• Swinging hard at a difficult overhead instead of resetting.
• Running back while still facing the net.