The players start in a starting position near the baseline or in the back court area. The coach stands on the opposite side of the net and plays a lob. As soon as the flight path is recognized, the players move to the ball and line up side-on for the overhead.
During the positioning, the left arm is guided upward under the ball and the racket is taken over the head early. The key factor here is the position of the racket head: the racket tip initially remains above the head and does not drop prematurely behind the back. From this compact preparation, the reversal movement follows, in which the racket head accelerates downward and is then guided upward again to the contact point.
By consciously shortening the backswing movement, the player*s can focus on the timing between ball flight, positioning, reversal movement, and acceleration to the contact point.
Training Goal
- Coordinate positioning for the lob with the stroke preparation
- Develop a compact and functional stroke preparation
- Position the racket tip above the head early
- Avoid the “backpack” position and maintain the flow of movement
- Train the timing of the reversal movement in a targeted way
Coaching Keys
- Recognize the flight path of the lob early and start positioning immediately.
- Align side-on to the ball and create sufficient distance to the expected contact point.
- Guide the left arm upward and use it to orient yourself on the ball.
- Take the racket over the head early.
- The racket tip remains above the head during the preparation.
- Do not take the racket deep behind the back during the preparation – no “backpack”.
- Initiate a clearly recognizable reversal movement from the high racket position.
- Then accelerate the racket upward to the high contact point.
- Connect positioning and stroke preparation and do not perform them one after the other.
- First develop rhythm and timing before increasing stroke speed.
Possible Corrections
The racket drops behind the back too early:
Consciously shorten the preparation. As a guide: in the ready position, the racket tip should still be visible above the head. Only with the actual reversal movement is the racket head lowered.
The preparation starts only after the positioning:
Encourage the players to perform movement to the ball and stroke preparation at the same time. The left arm and the racket should already take their position during the adjustment steps.
The players stand square to the net:
Demand the side-on alignment early. This creates better conditions for shoulder rotation, stroke rhythm, and a dynamic overhead movement.
The ball gets behind the body:
Assess the flight path earlier and work more consistently behind the ball. The goal is a contact point in front of or slightly to the side in front of the body.
The reversal movement is triggered too early:
Start with higher and slower lobs. The players should learn to keep the high preparation short and adapt the downward movement of the racket to the incoming ball in terms of timing.
Progressive Adaptation
Step 1 – Position without hitting
The coach plays a high, predictable lob. The players position themselves and only take the preparatory position: side-on stance, left arm up, racket over the head, and racket tip up. The ball is not hit.
Step 2 – Controlled overhead from a high preparation
After positioning, the reversal movement is initiated consciously and the ball is played with moderate tempo. The focus is on movement rhythm and contact point.
Step 3 – Different lob heights and lengths
The coach varies the feeds. The players must correct their position with additional adjustment steps without losing the compact stroke preparation.
Step 4 – Less predictability
The lobs are no longer always played to the same area. This means flight path, running direction, and positioning must be recognized more quickly and coordinated with each other.
Step 5 – Higher tempo
The time between feed and contact point is reduced. Now it becomes clear whether the compact preparation also works under time pressure and the racket tip does not prematurely fall into the “backpack” position.
Step 6 – Transfer into match play
The coach or a partner plays either a lob or another ball variably from an open rally. The players must recognize the lob, back up, prepare the overhead position, and play the overhead targeted into a predefined zone.