7. Smash & Lob

Smash

The tennis smash is a shot the professionals make look easy, but others may rarely perform right. Typically, this overhead shot will end the point of hit correctly and placed well. The overhead smash is hit from the net out of the air.

To hit a smash, the player:

• Turns body sideways with non-dominant shoulder towards the net
• Keeps eye firmly on the ball to adjust position if needed
• Reaches up towards the ball with non-dominant hand and brings the racquet back behind them
• Extends arm and racquet to meet the ball
• Smashes the ball downward while following through across the opposite thigh

Watch the instructional video on how to perform a smash

Lob

The lob is hit to either get a ball over an opponent at the nets head or to push a player deep into the court. It is a high loopy shot used when an opponent is at the net. The motion is still low to high, but the swing is slower and finished higher than a groundstroke. Lobs are hit with topspin, never slice. It should arc, land deep and bounce high.

Watch the instructional video on how to perform a lob