The lob is one of the
fundamental shots in tennis. It is essential in doubles and singles play to be
able to place the ball behind your opponent. A good topspin lob will buy you
time when on the defensive or be the put away offensive shot you need to cap
off a rally. This tennis passing shot is
a high percentage option when you need to get out of a defensive position. A lob
can often get you out of trouble against an aggressive net player. Dependable lobs have the ability to throw an
opponent off guard because their height and depth are designed to land beyond
their reach. Your opponent will be forced to chase the ball and play at least
one more shot. An overhead smash becomes more difficult for an opponent when
they are handed a well-executed lob. Though it can be a highly effective shot,
the lob is so often underutilized.
From a tennis
standpoint, it’s awfully debilitating to be beaten at net by a deep lob to the
backcourt. The ball is visible, but just out of my reach. The shot appears
attainable until I take that first step and realize it’s beyond being pursued.
It reminds me of many of life’s circumstances: the craft of reading a situation
without the ability to act.
What is beyond reach in
your life right now? What “shots” can you use more often if only they were dependable
and you were aggressive enough to pursue them? Are you usually on the defensive
or offensive? I think everyone can call
to mind a point in their life where they viewed something as beyond their
reach. I wonder if we all under-use our high percentage shots, thinking they
will pit us on the defensive. What passing shots are you allowing to pass you
by? I have found that what I often perceive as beyond reach is really just an
off-guard moment. It is a moment of strategy and setting yourself up for the
best possible outcome (the high percentages). Truly nothing worth attaining is
beyond the reach of someone who knows what they need to do. If there is
something you would like to pursue, you only have to execute the shot and/or
reassess your position on the court.
“I’d rather run the
other way than stay and see”
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