The Master Explains Lobs

 "Master," asked Po, "why when Master plays with other Masters, that there are no lobs?  Surely, the shot holds little challenge?"

The Master was sipping his tea.  The study was comfortable with a small fire warming the room.  The Spring had arrived, but a coldness of the Winter still laid over the monastery.

The Master took another slurp and contemplated the question.  It was a question that came up every year or so.

"Po, your question is only a question as you are young and have only worked through four of the 23 sacred texts of pickleball shots."  The Master burped softly.  The tea was good and it deserved to be tasted more than once.

"But Master, there are players who seemingly hit nothing but lobs, are they in error?"

"Lobs are hit for many reasons.  Some lobbers have a list of excuses for their lobs.  Note that even they feel the need to defend such a shot.  If the shot were pure and true to the essence of pickleball, all would know it and lobs would be praised rather than seen as a shot of sadness.

"There is one lob that is seen as valid and true, and that is a lob during a dinking point.  These are shots of skill, timing, and surprise, and are considered serene.  This is shot seven of the eleven basic lobs and note, Po, that there are many variations."

"What of other lobs, Master?  Are they not useful and valid?"

"Leading theorists suggest they are not.  They tend to disturb the flow of a point.  They lack finesse and like cutting cold butter with a dull knife.  They make crumbles and flakes that don't belong on toast.  Mid and back court lobs are much like torn toast.

"Not only do they delay proper play as all of the players stand around and wait for the lord gravity to bring the ball down, but they are certainly a surprise the partner of the lobber.  Imagine expecting partner to hit a proper drop and then suddenly the ball is aloft where only birds should fly?"  The Master shuddered with old memories from when he was learning the game.  He remembered games with sweet Penelope, who was close to perfection except for the lobs.  The Master sighed with painful memory.

"However, Po, we cannot fully condemn lobbers, as the shot is within the rules.  It seems that some of these players can't help it.  Others have made it their personal style.  These players rarely see anything wrong with such a shot.  As you play against many styles, Po, it is perhaps best to merely tolerate such shots, and not try to improve another's game.

"What, Po, is the most important skill to develop as a high level player?"

"Master we are taught that after competency of strokes and shots, then evaluation of the opponents' styles, skills, and strengths is paramount."

"That is correct, Po, after general competency, we modify our play based on what the opponents like to do and what they can do, and what they will do.  Lobbers are part of this evaluation.  As I mentioned, many of them can't help themselves and will lob at very strange situations.  Where you and I would select a soft dink to a backhand position, for example, a lobber cannot see that shot and will seek to stir the clouds.

"And yes, the occasional lob will be effective.  But if you evaluate the success of the lobs in a game, you will usually find that many will not land in the court, the ones that do are easily returned after you expect them in play.  And while the lobber will rejoice at each of his successes, it usually will lose a point than gain one.  It is somewhat like hitting a smash into the net.  It might feel good when it works, but the lost points are rarely appreciated."

"So, Po, now you see why when the Masters play, they do not lob?  There are the other 47 shots that are more dynamic, effective, subtle, satisfying, and, perhaps we could say, 'happy', than a lob.  Practice them if you like, Po, but they will not be on any examination, no will any extra credit be granted if you pull one off.

"Er, it seems we are low on tea and cookies, would you mind fetching some?  Thank you."

"It is my pleasure, Master.  I thank you for the enlightenment."

The Master yawned, stretched a bit and then reached for his quill pen.  He was working on short 1000 page book about the wrist position for the backhand shovel dink.  Work was going well and the Master was enjoying constructing the prose for the next paragraph.  The fire crackled, the delicate smell of cold tea, pine logs and fresh parchment paper pervaded the study.  It was another fine day.