One of the toughest opponents in doubles are teams who rely heavily on the lob. To counter this, players must avoid giving lobbers the comfortable deep-ball situations they prefer. By mixing in short balls, drop shots, and varied placements, you can force lob-happy opponents out of their rhythm and make them uncomfortable at the net. This strategy keeps them guessing and opens up opportunities to control points.
Setup
Doubles teams on court
Focus situation: returning after serve or during baseline rallies against lobbers
Rules & Objectives
After serving, avoid rushing to the net immediately if opponents tend to lob
Instead of hitting a standard deep approach shot, target a shorter ball into the service box to draw them forward
Force lobbers out of their comfort zone by making them hit from awkward positions rather than from deep court
If they anticipate the short approach, switch tactics by going wide and deep to surprise them
Continue varying between short balls, drop shots, and deeper placements to prevent predictable patterns
Repetition
Practice alternating between short and deep approaches during practice rallies
Work on disguising your shot so opponents can’t anticipate whether you’ll go short or deep
Add point play, where the rule is to target lobbers with variety instead of feeding their favorite shots
Coaching Points
Neutralizes lob-happy opponents
Builds tactical awareness and adaptability
Teaches players to vary their approach shots strategically
Keeps opponents guessing, reducing their ability to settle into a comfortable game plan
