To practice executing effective lobs and for the partner to practice retreating to retrieve lobs and then working their way back to the kitchen line.
Equipment
- Pickleball paddles
- Pickleballs
- Pickleball court
How to run it
Start a dink rally with a partner. One partner (Lobber) is designated to hit a lob during the rally (the other partner knows a lob is coming but waits for it). The Lobber should focus on hitting the lob when balanced, using their legs, and aiming effectively (e.g., over the non-dominant shoulder). The other partner (Retriever) backs up to retrieve the lob, hits a return (ideally a drop or reset), and then tries to work their way back to the kitchen line. Repeat, then switch roles.
Coach Dave’s cues
Lobber: Disguise the lob, use a compact backswing, bend knees, and lift with legs. Retriever: Practice quick backward movement and aim for a controlled return to neutralize the lob.
Watch for
Lobber: Telegraphing the lob with a big backswing; hitting lobs too short or too long. Retriever: Being slow to react and retreat; hitting an attackable return from the baseline.