Topspin Lob Drill

Mastering the topspin lob requires not only learning how to put excessive spin on the ball, but combining this spin with enough height and depth, as well as the ability to hit it left, right or down the middle. Teach the topspin lob using a progression made popular by Dennis Van der Meer, president of the PTR and the “coach’s coach.”

Step #1
Have the players get very close to the net and turn sideways, as if he or she were going to hit a forehand groundstroke. Have the players sandwich a ball between the net chord and the string bed of the racquet.

Step #2
With a quick, upward motion, ending with the racquet (or right elbow) behind the right ear (for right-handed players), have the players spin the ball straight up, to get the feel for putting extreme topspin on the ball. Repeat several times.

Step #3
Have players take three steps back and again, turn sideways to the net, as if they were going to hit a forehand groundstroke. Have players bounce the ball with their left hand, then repeat the quick, upward stroke, with the racquet again finishing behind their right ear, or behind their right shoulder. Players should now be adding height to the ball, which was not possible in step #1. Players should be getting the ball over the net at this stage. Repeat this step several times.

Step #4
Have players repeat Step #3, but with their racquet face slightly open, to add more height and depth.

Step #5
Players move back to the service line and repeat Step #4, but now another player stands directly in front of each player (across the net). The player across the net holds his or her racquet as high as possible and the player practicing topspin must be able to clear this player’s racquet.

Step #6
Repeat Step #5, but the player’s practicing topspin must now begin aiming for the back of the court. Repeat several times.

Step #7
The net person tosses or hits an easy feed to the player practicing lobs, who must now execute the stroke off a live ball. Repeat several times.

Step #8
Player moves back to the baseline, and continues to practice hitting topspin lobs from the baseline, deep to the opposite court. Repeat several times.

Step #9
Player begins practicing the new skill in the context of a point, hitting one or two groundstrokes, then hitting the lob. Doubles players should practice in the context of hitting against two opponents, who are either both at the net, or who are in a one-up, one-back position.

This drill can be repeated on the backhand side.

One mechanic players naturally use to make any lob easier is to lean backwards, which opens up the racquet face. The problem with this, however, is that it telegraphs the shot to their opponent. Watch your players to make sure they are disguising their lobs by setting up for the shot with the same body balance used for a normal groundstroke.