Tennis Tip: 'Defensive Lobs' Great for Doubles Play

By GBCC Director of Tennis, Rob LeBuhn

The defensive lob in tennis is one of the most important shots at the club level, especially in doubles. Most players do not have the skill or movement to execute overhead winners with ease and consistency.  World class professionals and strong college players may even struggle to put a good lob away. Master your lob skills and your opponents will be forced to compete at a high level just to stay in the match with you.

Here is a checklist for the defensive lob:

• Continental grip
• Prepare to the heights of contact point
• Head still
• Short or no backswing
• Long smooth follow through
• 45 degree contact point
• The closer you are to the net the great the angle of contact point
• Full pivot to execute backhands
• Smaller pivot to execute forehands. 
• Balance is a plus

Once you master the defensive lob, your partners will have an easier time competing with you.  You will give them time to recover and help them feel safer as well.  You will also frustrate very good opponents who will have to restart the point. The wind can also be a helper.

Best on the Courts!

Tennis Tip: More Doubles Play Strategy

By GBCC Director of Tennis, Coach Rob LeBuhn

When executed correctly, the down-the-line shot in doubles is a great way to end the point. If your opponent leaves the alley open, taking the ball down the line is a quick and efficient way to end the rally. Some important tips to remember are staying low, using top spin, and reading the play. Staying low is imperative because you are hitting over the highest part of the net and you need to be able to lift the ball up when swinging through. Using top spin keeps the shot controlled and the ball in the court. Reading the play allows you to commit to your shot. If the opportunity is not there, do not feel compelled to take the down-the-line shot, but hitting it in the ally is a great way to mix up your shots and keep your opponent off balance.

Tennis Tip of the Week: Be Patient!

Putting together a point and setting yourself up for a winner to finish it is one of the most over-looked factors of a tennis match. Yes, it is important to focus on getting every ball in, but it is also important to anticipate where the point is going. Many players go for too much too soon instead of being patient and waiting for the right time to finish the point. The average tennis point only lasts 4-5 shots depending on the level, so if you can hold out just a little bit longer than your opponent, your patience will pay off more times than not.

Looking forward to seeing you on the courts!
Coach Rob

Tennis Tip of the Week: Utilizing the Opposite Hand

By Coach Rob LeBuhn

As tennis players we often get fatigue in our dominate arm while playing, drilling or taking a lesson. One trick that I learned over 40 years ago was to use the opposite hand, which in my case would be my left one.

The opposite hand allows us to give our dominate hand a “breather” in between points and strokes. It will also help you become more balanced on the court. If you would like to learn more about how using your opposite hand can help your game grow, feel free to stop by the courts and ask. I would love to help!

Doubles Strategy

By Director of Tennis Rob LeBuhn

Any fundamentally solid doubles team or player will always value two shots above all others: the second serve and the return of service.

 These two shots are paramount not only because they are chronologically the first and second shots played in a match, but also because players have the highest tendency to try and overplay them. Developing a solid second serve to the body as well as a crosscourt return will increase your chances of winning any doubles match. 

 As a general rule, teams that force their opponents to play the most shots catch the most breaks. Teams that attempt to go for big down the line returns and flashy second serves in the corner of the box will lose far more points than they win.

 Enjoy your Fourth of July and I look forward to seeing you all on the courts!