Bob is Back on the Couch - Part II Last Post Included in the 2022 Book

We return to Dr. Fixemup for another session with Bob.  Bob as you will remember was a banger and his partners had sent him in for treatment.  His initial problem was excessive aggression, now we delve more into other topics...

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"Bob, are you ready to begin?  Please lie on the couch and we'll get started.  What I wanted to explore today for the next several sessions is the phrase you used in our first session.  You said that you 'liked to lob.'  Do you remember that?"

Bob is on the couch, but not relaxed as yet.  Sessions are draining as some needed medical procedures must necessarily be.

"No, I don't remember saying that, but I do like to lob."

The doctor makes a note that Bob didn't remember the lob-love statement.  

"Why do you like to lob, Bob?  Let me remind you that there are no wrong answers here and I'm here to help."

"I've never really thought about it.  I don't think it's any different than any other shot, is it?  Do I really need help with this?"

"Opinions differ on the lob shot view, Bob.  We are here to explore your feelings."   The definitive authority, a book, A Pickleball Player's Mental Health, eighth edition, contains several chapters on the psychosis of excessive lobbing.

"Ok, I guess... "

"Bob, let's start out more simply.  When do you lob?"

"Uh, ok, let me see.  I guess if I am in a highly defensive position, then a lob seems like the best way to reset the point."

"What defensive positions are those?"

"If I get a service return that is really hard and deep, then I might lob."

"Does this happen often?"

"It varies.  The better players hit better service returns.  I guess that's where it happens the most..."

"Do you have trouble with ground strokes as a rule?"

"No, I'm ok there.  It's just some of them are really deep in the court."

"Does your partner lob from that situation?"

"Hmm, I guess not.  They would tend to drop the ball or drive it back, rather than lob."

"Are your partners better at ground strokes than you are?"

"No, probably about the same."

"Yet you are lobbing and they are not.  How does that make you feel?"

"I know there are people that don't like lobs.  So when I do it, I think that I'm no doing as well as I could..."

"Tell me about your court positions for serving."

"I am probably closer to the center line than a side line.  My aim is pretty much the center of the service area."

"And of course behind the baseline.  After you serve, where are you?"

"Yeah, behind the baseline, of course!  I'll usually hit and let my momentum move me into the court a step or so."

"Do you always step in?"

"Hmm, usually, I guess.   It seems to be the better play,"  Bob shrugs a bit.

"What else could you do besides moving into the court?"

"Oh, hit and stay back, or even move back a step.  And for sure, get into a ready position."

"If you moved back a step or two, would you better placed to hit a drive or drop shot, or even a lob?"

"Yes, I guess so.  But if I get a short return, it could be a problem."

"Who returns short returns?"

"Beginners and intermediate players tend to return short.  Also mis-hits are usually short."

"Do good players hit a lot of short balls?"

"They are less likely to, but everyone does it."

"Suppose after serving, you step back.  If the shot is short, you move up and drive or drop.  If it's deep, you are well placed to return it.  Would that work?"

"Yes, that's probably a better strategy."

"When you watch a service return, what clues tell you the ball might be short?  It seems the short ball is the only problem if you stay back."

"I'll watch the wind up and shoulder turn of the player.  Big windups will go deep.  If the ball comes off the paddle at a crazy angle, that is probably a mishit, and those are short too and a lot of spin.  Finally, I like to listen to the contact of the ball on the paddle.  If it's muted, then the ball is short.  Loud and crisp and the ball is coming deep."

"Excellent analysis on the short shot detection, Bob.  I think we made some progress today.  If you stay back more when on the serving side you can drive and drop more and will not be a position where you have to lob.  While we've not gotten into the lobbing as much as needed, we've identified a plan to move forward.  How do you feel about that?"

"Yes, doctor, I see your point.  While moving in on serves works against some players, staying back a bit will work against all of them.  I'll see if I can get better at that.  I feel pretty good about this and I'm excited to try this.  I can see that I'll be able to play more sedately as I'll never be moving backwards for the third shot."

"Bob, pickleball is like life, we want to be on a forward path at all times.  I'll see you next week."