The Padel Lob — Complete Guide
The lob (globo) is padel's most essential defensive shot — and one of the most misunderstood. Master the technique, learn when to use each type, and fix the mistake that turns every good lob into an easy smash.
The only rule you need to remember
You cannot lob too high. You can always lob too short. When in doubt — go higher, go deeper. A lob that lands near the back fence forces a difficult exit. A lob that lands in the middle court is an invitation for a smash.
Defensive lob vs offensive lob
There are two fundamentally different lobs in padel — each with different technique, targets, and risk levels.
Defensive Lob
“Globo defensivo” · Beginner
The defensive lob is padel's most important survival shot. When your opponents are camped at the net and you're pinned at the back — or worse, forced to defend a low fast ball — a high, deep lob over their heads buys you time to recover and flips the point back to neutral.
When to use it
“Under pressure at the back of the court, with opponents dominating the net”
Goal
Reset the point. Buy time to recover position. Force opponents back from the net.
Technique cues
- 1.Open the racket face to roughly 45° — height is the priority, not pace
- 2.Swing low-to-high through the ball with a smooth, controlled arc
- 3.Contact point: in front of your lead foot, waist-to-chest height
- 4.Target: deep in the back quarter of the opponent's court, not the middle
- 5.Aim to clear the outstretched racket of the tallest net player by at least 2 metres
Common mistake
Lobbing too short — a lob that drops in the middle of the court gives your opponent a full-swing smash. When in doubt, go higher and deeper.
Offensive Lob
“Globo ofensivo” · Intermediate
The offensive lob is a disguised attack, not a reset. You execute it with the same preparation as a volley or groundstroke — keeping the racket low until the last moment — then open the face and loft the ball just over the net player's reaching height. Used correctly, it forces a passive reply from opponents who were expecting a drive.
When to use it
“When you read an opponent leaning forward at the net, or after drawing them in with a short ball”
Goal
Win the point or force a weak defensive bandeja/smash that you can attack.
Technique cues
- 1.Disguise: prepare your swing exactly like a drive or cross-court volley
- 2.At the last moment, open the racket face and redirect the swing upward
- 3.Add moderate topspin to bring the ball down quickly after clearing the net player
- 4.Target the backhand shoulder of the player closer to the ball — harder to reach overhead
- 5.Height: 0.3–0.5m above the opponent's racket reach (less than defensive; more control needed)
Common mistake
Telegraphing it — if your opponent reads the lob early, they'll position under it and smash. The offensive lob only works when it's a genuine surprise.
Lob technique — step by step
Break down each component of the lob and practise them in isolation before combining them under pressure.
Grip and racket preparation
Use a continental or slightly eastern backhand grip — the same as your volleys. The grip shouldn't change from a drive; that's part of the disguise. Prepare with a low-to-mid backswing, keeping the racket head below your wrist.
Open the racket face
The key adjustment happens at contact: open (tilt back) the racket face to 30–45° depending on how high you need the ball. The more open the face, the higher and slower the ball travels. For a deep defensive lob, go to 45°. For an offensive lob, 20–30° with more swing speed.
Swing low-to-high
Drive through the ball from low to high — think of brushing up the back of the ball rather than pushing it. This creates backspin or light topspin that helps the ball arc predictably rather than sailing flat into the back fence.
Contact point and follow-through
Contact at roughly waist to chest height, in front of your lead foot. Follow through upward and toward your target — not across your body. Your racket should finish high, pointing roughly at the trajectory you want the ball to travel.
Recover position immediately
The moment the ball leaves your racket, move. A defensive lob gives you 2–3 seconds before the opponent responds — use every one of them to push off the back wall and advance toward mid-court. Never stand still after lobbing.
Height targets by situation
| Situation | Clearance needed | Target depth | Risk level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Both opponents at the net, smash threat high | 2.5–3m above net height | Last 2m of court | Low — safe trajectory |
| One opponent at net, one mid-court | 1.5–2m above net height | Land near the back fence | Medium — watch for the retreating player |
| Offensive lob to surprise net player | 0.3–0.5m above outstretched racket | Mid-to-back court | High — timing and disguise critical |
| Lob into the wind (outdoor courts) | Add 30–40cm extra margin | Aim shorter — wind carries it deeper | Low with adjustment — always lob with wind, not against |
Drills to build lob consistency
Consistent lobbing is a skill, not luck. Practise these in order — each drill adds one layer of match pressure.
Wall feed drill
BeginnerStand at the baseline. Feed yourself a ball and practice lobbing against the back wall to feel the swing path.
Focus
Consistent swing low-to-high. Count how many land in the back quarter.
3 sets × 15 lobs
Partner pressure drill
Beginner–IntermediatePartner stands at the net with a racket raised. You lob from the back. Goal: clear their racket by at least 1m.
Focus
Height calibration. You'll quickly learn what 'too flat' feels like when they smash it back.
5 minutes, alternate sides
Defensive reset drill
IntermediateTwo players at net feed you alternating balls to your forehand and backhand at pace. You must lob every ball.
Focus
Lobbing under time pressure. This is the real match condition — you won't always have time to set up perfectly.
90-second rounds × 4
Offensive lob disguise drill
AdvancedFeed alternating drives and offensive lobs from baseline. The feeder at net must not be able to read which is coming.
Focus
Identical preparation for both shots. Disguise is the entire point of this drill.
30 balls per set, 3 sets
When your opponent lobs you
Knowing the lob also means knowing how to punish a bad one and survive a good one.
Lob type
Short lob (mid-court)
Opponent's response
Full-swing smash or vibora
Your position
Both at back — brace for a hard ball at your feet
Key lesson
Never lob short. This is the most punished mistake in padel.
Lob type
Medium lob (three-quarter depth)
Opponent's response
Bandeja — control shot back to centre
Your position
Time to reach mid-court before they respond
Key lesson
Medium lobs keep you alive but give opponent net control. Aim for the back quarter.
Lob type
Deep lob (lands near back fence)
Opponent's response
Must let it bounce and exit off back glass — bajada situation
Your position
Advance to net while they're retreating
Key lesson
A deep lob is a true reset — you go from defence to a neutral or attacking position.
Lob type
Lob over backhand side
Opponent's response
More difficult overhead — often a defensive bandeja
Your position
Press forward; the bandeja reply usually comes back central
Key lesson
Target the backhand shoulder when you have the choice — it's the statistically weaker overhead side.
Related guides
Padel Strategy Guide
When to lob, when to drive — the full tactical picture.
ReadAll Padel Shots
Bandeja, vibora, smash, gancho and every shot in padel.
ReadThe Vibora
The attacking overhead that punishes a bad lob.
ReadWall & Glass Play
What happens after a deep lob hits the back glass.
ReadServe Techniques
Build your game from the very first shot.
ReadPadel Drills Guide
Structured drills to build every shot — including the lob.
ReadFix your lob in one session
A coach watching your swing can identify in minutes whether you're lobbing too flat, not recovering position, or telegraphing it. Find a verified padel coach near you — free for players.