The Lob Window
Why this drill
The offensive lob wins exactly when the opponent has committed their weight into the kitchen — and loses almost every other time. This game trains the eye for that window: not how to lob, but when.
Setup
Both players at the non-volley-zone line, half court, playing straight ahead. Balls at the post.
The drill
Play kitchen points to 11 with one addition to the dink game: either player may lob at any moment, and a lob that lands in wins the point double — but a lob that is smashed for a winner or lands out loses the point double. The pricing does the coaching: you learn to throw the lob only off a ball that has your opponent leaning in, reaching, or crowding the line, and to disguise it inside your dink motion until the last instant. Count your lobs per game; three good ones beat ten hopeful ones.
One thought to take on court
Lob off their lean — same paddle face as the dink until the ball demands otherwise.