Take the Lob Out of the Air or Let It Bounce? Three Rules

A lob goes up and you have a fraction of a second to decide whether to take it out of the air or let it bounce off the glass.

Get it wrong and you either hit a terrible overhead or hand them the net for free. It is not a feel decision. Look at where their two players are standing.

1. Both of them back: take it, play the bandeja

If both opponents are still deep, they are not threatening the net. Taking the ball in the air keeps them there.

Play a controlled bandeja rather than a full smash. You are not trying to end it, you are keeping them pinned while you hold the front of the court.

2. Both of them up: let it bounce

If they have both come forward, hitting an awkward ball straight at two players standing at the net is asking to be punished.

Let it bounce instead. The bounce buys you time, and it forces them to hold their position rather than close in while you are stuck under the ball.

3. Ball already behind you: let it bounce

This one overrides the others. If the lob has got past you, reaching back for it produces a bandeja hit off balance and behind your body.

That shot is worse than anything the bounce can give them. Let it go, use the glass, and play a proper ball from a proper position.