PICKLEBALL INSTRUCTION
RUNNING DOWN A LOB SAFELY
BY SARAH ANSBOURY
T
here are lots of things to think about when
running down a lob. Which partner is going to
retrieve it? Is the wind affecting it? Can it be
hit in the air? Should I drop or drive it? All are
important, but none is more important than doing it
safely!
SAFETY FIRST! PRACTICE RUNNING DOWN A LOB
Moving properly to retrieve a lob safely is numero uno. I
have seen people shuffling back on their heels, looking up,
and perhaps tripping over their own feet. Others shuffle
sideways, which may also lead to tripping. Balance, as
always, is key. But, it is also important to pick up your feet. Many times, people don’t think they can make this kind
of movement on the court. Certainly, there may be physical
limitations to consider, but usually it is just getting into
a habit of moving this way. To practice, you can simply do
the whole movement on your own without a ball. Start by
taking that right foot back and turning around first, then
running to a position to practice your motion.
After you feel you have the basic movement, toss a
ball up with one hand simulating the lob. You might be
surprised how much time you have for recovering the ball.
This sort of practice will enable you to gain confidence
and will go a long way to eliminating the hesitation that is
slowing you down today.
Of course, communicating effectively with your partner
regarding who should run down the lob and where the
partner will be positioned is also very important. •
PROPER TECHNIQUE FOR RUNNING DOWN A LOB
Ideally, you want to hit a forehand after running down a
lob. To do this, you need to learn the proper technique:
1. DROP STEP: If you are right-handed, you will want
to take a drop step with your right foot, turning your
body so you can run…not shuffle.
2. RUN BEHIND THE BALL: You want to make a
semi-circle past, or behind, the ball so you can take a
forehand. Too often people run right under the path
of the ball and may even run into it.
3. DON’T STARE AT THE BALL: You don’t need to
watch the ball throughout the entire flight. Staring
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at the ball the entire time may cause you to lose your
balance, or will slow your progress. You will get to the
ball faster, hopefully before it lands, by just turning
and running. You need to guess a bit, where the ball is
going…but if you run, you should have time to make
any minor adjustments that are needed.
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