Offensive lob and the overhead

Setup

1. Two players at the kitchen line, straight across from each other.
2. Clear the back of the court of loose balls and bags: the overhead player will be moving back there.
3. Before starting, walk through the footwork: turn sideways, then shuffle or cross-step back. Never backpedal.

How it runs

1. Dink straight across. After at least three dinks, the lobber may lift an offensive lob over the partner's backhand shoulder.
2. The partner turns sideways straight away and shuffles or cross-steps back to get behind the ball.
3. If it can be reached comfortably, hit the overhead down into open court or at the lobber's feet, never at the face. If not, let it bounce or send a high lob back.
4. Both return to the kitchen line and start again. Five lobs each, then swap roles.

Coaching points

• Lobber: use the same set-up as a dink so the lob isn't read early, then lift with a longer, higher follow-through.
• Aim the lob high enough to clear a raised paddle and deep enough to land near the baseline.
• Overhead player: turn first, point the non-paddle hand at the ball and keep it in front of the hitting shoulder.
• Overhead: hit it down and to the open space; placement wins more than power.
• Moving backwards facing the net is how players fall. Turn and shuffle every time.

Common mistakes

• Backpedalling while watching the ball, which risks a backward fall.
• Lobbing too short so the partner can smash it from the kitchen line.
• Swinging the overhead flat and hard so it goes long.