The best examples of lob drills for defensive play in tennis

Match-style examples of lob drills for defensive play in tennis

Let’s start with what you really came for: specific, match-like examples of lob drills for defensive play in tennis that you can copy onto the court.

1. Wide defensive scramble lob drill

This is a classic example of a lob drill that simulates being pulled off the court and forced to defend.

Setup
One player is the baseliner (defender), the other is at the net (attacker).

How to run it
The attacker feeds a deep, wide ball to the defender’s forehand or backhand corner. The defender sprints, slides, or stretches to reach it and must hit a high defensive lob crosscourt or down the line over the attacker’s head. After the lob, the point is live.

You can:

• Have the attacker try to smash or volley the lob.
• Let the defender recover back into the court and play out the point.

Coaching focus
The best examples of lob drills for defensive play in tennis always stress height and margin first, accuracy second. In this drill, teach yourself to:

• Aim at least 10–15 feet above the net.
• Use a relaxed, looping swing with plenty of spin.
• Turn your shoulders early, even when you’re stretched.

To add pressure, give the defender only one defensive shot (the lob) before the point ends if they miss the court.

2. Two-on-one pressure lob drill

If you’re looking for intense examples of lob drills for defensive play in tennis, this one feels like survival mode.

Setup
Two players at the net on one side, one defender at the baseline on the other side. You can run this in singles or doubles practice.

How to run it
The two net players volley and angle the ball around, trying to finish the point quickly. The solo baseliner’s only task for the first three balls is to hit defensive lobs. After three successful lobs in a row, the defender is allowed to play normally and can go for passing shots.

Scoring idea

• Defender gets 1 point for every successful lob that lands deep (past the service line).
• Net team gets 1 point for every overhead winner or forced error.

This drill is an excellent example of how to build both physical and mental toughness. You’re practicing patience, footwork, and the confidence to use the lob under heavy pressure.

3. Crosscourt recovery lob drill

Many real examples of lob drills for defensive play in tennis focus on straight-ahead lobs, but crosscourt lobs are often safer and give you more court to work with.

Setup
Both players start in the deuce court. One at the baseline (defender), one at the net (attacker).

How to run it
The attacker feeds a firm ball to the defender’s backhand or forehand. The defender must hit a crosscourt lob that lands between the opponent’s baseline and service line, inside the singles sideline. After the lob, you reset and repeat instead of playing out the point.

Progressions

• Start at a cooperative pace.
• Increase pace and spin from the attacker to simulate heavy pressure.
• Finally, allow the attacker to move and attempt overheads, but the defender still aims crosscourt only.

This example of a lob drill trains you to use the biggest part of the court and buy yourself recovery time when you’re out of position.

4. Short-court spin lob control drill

Defensive lobs aren’t just “hit it high and hope.” Good defenders learn to shape the ball with topspin or heavy slice. This drill is all about feel.

Setup
Both players stand inside the service boxes, facing each other. Use half-court (deuce side only or ad side only).

How to run it
Players rally softly, but every third ball must be a mini lob that lands near the opposite service line and bounces up, not long and flat. You’re training:

• Topspin lobs that jump high after the bounce.
• Slice lobs that float and drop short.

You can alternate: one round topspin-only, one round slice-only.

This is one of the best examples of lob drills for defensive play in tennis when you want to develop touch before moving to full-court pressure.

5. “Last-resort” backhand lob from the corner

Most players panic when they’re dragged wide to the backhand side. Instead of a desperate slap, you want a practiced response.

Setup
Defender starts near the backhand corner, attacker at the opposite baseline or at the net.

How to run it
The attacker feeds heavy, deep balls to the defender’s backhand side. The defender must:

• Take at least two recovery steps back or sideways.
• Hit a high, deep backhand lob crosscourt or down the line.
• Recover back toward the middle after contact.

You can film a few reps to check your contact point and body position. Many players lean back too much; instead, bend your knees, stay balanced, and let the racket face work for you.

This is a powerful example of a lob drill that turns your weakest defensive situation into something you’ve rehearsed a hundred times.

6. Serve-and-attack vs defensive lob return drill

In modern tennis, servers love to follow big serves with a quick move forward. Your answer? A calm, well-placed lob return.

Setup
Server on one side, returner on the other. The server is instructed to serve and rush the net.

How to run it
The returner’s job for an entire game is to hit nothing but lobs on the return. The lob can be crosscourt or down the line, but it must:

• Clear the server’s reach.
• Land near or beyond the baseline.

After the lob, play out the point. This gives you a real example of how to use lob returns in matches against aggressive players.

Scoring twist

• Returner gets 2 points for a winning lob return.
• Server gets normal scoring for holding serve.

7. Doubles-focused examples of lob drills for defensive play in tennis

Defensive lobs are gold in doubles, especially against teams that camp at the net.

Doubles crosscourt lob pattern
Start with a standard crosscourt rally between two baseliners. The net players are active but cannot poach for the first three balls. On ball four, the baseliner must hit a lob over the opposing net player’s backhand side. After the lob, the point is live.

Key doubles cues

• Lob over the backhand shoulder of the stronger net player.
• Communicate with your partner so they know when to move forward.

One-up, one-back rescue drill
One team starts with one player at the net and one at the baseline. The other team is both at the net. The team with one back is the defending team and must use lobs to neutralize the two net players before they can move forward.

These are classic, real examples of lob drills for defensive play in tennis that translate directly to league and tournament doubles.

How to structure these lob drills so they actually improve your defense

Most players just “hit a few lobs” and wonder why they don’t hold up under pressure. The best examples of lob drills for defensive play in tennis share three traits:

They’re situational.
Each drill should simulate a real match pattern: pulled wide, rushed at the net, stuck in a two-on-one, or defending in doubles.

They’re measurable.
Give yourself targets and numbers:

• Aim for a certain height over the net (at least two racket lengths).
• Track how many lobs land past the service line.
• Count how many successful lobs you can hit in a row.

They’re progressive.
Start with slow, controlled feeds. Then add pace, angles, and movement. Finally, add scoring and consequences, so your brain feels match-like pressure.

If you play multiple times per week, dedicating even 15–20 minutes per session to these examples of lob drills for defensive play in tennis can noticeably change your confidence under fire.

Technique tips to get more out of your defensive lob drills

You don’t need a perfect textbook swing, but a few fundamentals will make every example of a lob drill more productive.

1. Use your legs, not just your wrist
Bend your knees and drive up through the ball. That upward energy helps lift the ball high without forcing you to flick your wrist or open the racket face too much.

2. Aim high and deep, not low and “cute”
On defense, your target is big and safe: over the opponent’s reach and near the baseline. Topspin lobs can drop in late, so don’t be afraid to aim long. Even at the pro level, players use high, spinny lobs to reset the point.

3. Choose your grip early
A semi-western or eastern forehand grip works well for topspin lobs; a continental grip is handy for quick reaction lobs and slice lobs, especially on the backhand side.

4. Protect your body
If you’re doing a lot of overhead and defensive work in one session, your shoulders and lower back will feel it. Basic warm-ups, mobility work, and strength training can help you handle the load. For general guidance on tennis-related injury prevention and overuse, you can review resources from the National Institutes of Health and the Mayo Clinic, which discuss safe progression and conditioning for racket sports.

Modern trends: Why defensive lobs still matter in 2024–2025

With rackets getting more powerful and players hitting heavier topspin than ever, you might think the lob is outdated. The reality on the pro tours and in high-level amateur play says otherwise.

Heavier topspin = more effective lobs
Modern strings and rackets let players generate massive spin. That same spin that creates heavy groundstrokes also creates high, dipping lobs that are tough to smash. Watch current ATP and WTA matches and you’ll see players using topspin lobs to escape from brutal rallies and even to pass opponents at the net.

More all-court play
As more players come forward behind big serves and aggressive approach shots, the lob has become a key way to punish over-aggression. Many college programs and performance academies now include specific examples of lob drills for defensive play in tennis in their weekly practice plans, especially for doubles squads.

Longevity and joint health
For recreational and league players, relying only on low-percentage passing shots can lead to more abrupt, off-balance swings. Mixing in defensive lobs is often a safer, more body-friendly choice over long seasons. The CDC’s general physical activity guidelines emphasize consistent, moderate activity; smart shot selection, including defensive options like the lob, can help you stay on court instead of on the sideline.

Putting it together: A sample 30-minute lob-focused session

Here’s how you might combine several real examples of lob drills for defensive play in tennis into one focused workout.

Warm-up (5–7 minutes)
Rally from the service line, then baseline, sprinkling in gentle mini lobs to groove the feeling of lifting the ball.

Drill block 1: Short-court spin lob control (8 minutes)
Use the short-court spin lob control drill to build touch and feel. Alternate topspin and slice rounds.

Drill block 2: Wide defensive scramble + backhand corner (10 minutes)
Alternate between the wide defensive scramble lob drill and the “last-resort” backhand lob drill. Focus on footwork and height over the net.

Drill block 3: Two-on-one pressure or doubles pattern (10 minutes)
Finish with the two-on-one pressure lob drill if you’re in singles mode, or the doubles crosscourt lob pattern if you’re training for doubles.

You’ll walk off the court having practiced multiple examples of lob drills for defensive play in tennis that mirror the situations you actually face in matches.

FAQ: Lobs, defense, and practical questions

Q: What are some simple examples of lob drills for beginners?
For newer players, start with cooperative short-court mini lobs, then progress to a basic crosscourt lob drill where a partner feeds gentle balls and you aim high and deep past the service line. Keep it slow and focus on height rather than power.

Q: Can you give an example of a lob drill I can do alone?
Yes. Use a ball machine or a wall. Program the machine to feed deep balls to your forehand or backhand corner, then practice lifting high lobs crosscourt. With a wall, stand farther back than usual and aim to hit high, looping shots that rebound softly. Count how many “lobs” you can hit in a row without missing.

Q: How often should I practice these lob drills?
If you play two to three times per week, dedicating even 15 minutes per session to one or two of these examples of lob drills for defensive play in tennis is plenty. Consistency matters more than marathon sessions.

Q: Are defensive lobs safe for older players?
Generally, yes—especially compared with constant, full-out passing shots from awkward positions. Still, older players or those with joint issues should pay attention to warm-ups and recovery. Sites like NIH and Mayo Clinic offer guidance on safe exercise routines, which you can adapt to tennis.

Q: How do I know if my lob height is good enough?
A simple test: if your practice partner at the net can reach your lobs comfortably without jumping, you need more height. In most of these drills, aim for a trajectory that would clear a person standing on a chair at the net. That kind of margin will hold up better in real match pressure.

If you plug even a couple of these real examples of lob drills for defensive play in tennis into your weekly routine, you’ll notice something subtle but important: instead of panicking when you’re on the run, you’ll feel like you’ve been there before—and you’ll know exactly which lob to hit.