In Doubles Tennis, Who Covers The Lob Over The Net Player?

Here’s the scenario: You’re playing doubles tennis in the one-up, one-back formation, and the opponents lob you at the net. Who should cover it, you or your partner?

The answer is YOU!

You’ve no doubt heard the popular myth that when the net person is lobbed, players should immediately switch sides on the court, and the player at the baseline must return the lob. This is only partly true. If you’re lobbed at the net in doubles tennis, your partner should cover the lob ONLY if she realizes you can’t reach it.

The Truth About Lobs

Just because it’s a lob doesn’t mean it will automatically clip the baseline. The fact is that many lobs are rather shallow, so the first reaction of the player being lobbed at the net should be to turn and move back (if necessary), keep the ball in sight at all times, and make an attempt to hit an overhead. Too many times, I have watched my teammates play in matches when a short lob goes up. The net player screamed, “Yours!” as she scuttled to the other side of the court. Her partner was then forced to quickly cross over toward the service line in time to get the ball back. She was just one or two steps back from where the net player had been standing. One or two steps – that’s all!

Assess the Lob

The next time a lob comes your way in doubles tennis, condition yourself to attack! Do NOT cross to the other side and force your partner to cover the lob. Immediately gauge how high and how fast the ball is traveling. Then, decide whether or not to move back to take the overhead or to cross over. And be sure to use verbal communication like, “Yours!” or “Mine!” or “Switch!” so that you and your partner are on the same page. The number of lobs that are actually within reach of the net player will surprise you.

The player at the baseline can also call the ball, as she has a better view of the ball dropping. For example, if she sees that the lob is high and will probably drop near the service line, she should say, “Yours!” to her partner at net (if that person hasn’t already started moving into position).

Break the Habit

Many players develop the bad habit of immediately crossing over, but you can break it! Grab a bucket of balls and practice hitting overheads with a teammate. Have them lob you at the net and see how many you can get without the pressure of being in a match. The more you do this, the easier it will be to recognize the lobs that are truly yours to return and get them back.

If you found this post helpful, don’t keep it all to yourself – share it with your tennis friends 🙂

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