Tips From the Tennis Pro: The Lob Volley
The Lob Volley is a tennis shot that is not discussed very much. Let's go over a couple of tips that will help you.
First of all, it is not an easy shot, which explains why you don't hear a lot about it. The shot is hard to practice, and it is a shot hit completely through feel, so you have to have been playing a while in order to be able to hit it. Having said that, start to work on it, and when the time is right, it is usually an outright winner.
The Lob Volley is 90 percent a doubles play shot, and normally when you are in a defensive position around the service line. In classic doubles when both opposing partners are trying to get to the net, being on the offense is when the shot becomes available. The Lob Volley is an offensive shot hit from a defensive position that you will gently lift over the opponent's heads with a bit of backspin on the ball.
How to hit the shot:
â–ºStep one: Use the Continental Grip, which you should be in when you have moved in from the baseline (see pic above)..
â–ºStep two: Some degree of knowledge is needed knowing how to hit the slice backhand and forehand because the Lob Volley is basically a shortened backspin shot (see pic to the right). When you attempt the shot, use your volley knowledge of no back swing, the head is slightly above the handle so you can brush down the back of the ball just a bit, like cupping it and then a slight upward lift to finish the shot.
When both opponents are close to the net is the ideal time when they are vulnerable to the Lob Volley. The backspin will make that lob high enough to get over their heads, but low enough to keep the ball in when you hit from the service line.
To practice the Lob Volley, either find a partner to feed you balls that you can volley from the service line area, or access a ball machine. You'll need to hit a lot of balls to generate that feel, but it's worth it.
Good luck and have fun!
