The lob is a high, slow shot that gives you time to move up to the non-volley zone or to recover from a shot that moved you way off center. If hit well, it will force at least one opponent to the back court to retrieve it. Unfortunately for short people, those who don't have a great overhead shot, and those who aren't as young as John, the lob can be a great tool in your box.

How to Execute a Good Lob
The key to a good lob is to send it well over the head of your opponent while keeping it in bounds. The shot itself is much like making a high, underhand serve, where you carry the ball on your paddle longer. Don't make it too low, or your opponent will smash it back. ​​Like anything else in pickleball, it takes practice. The lob works best if you place it near your opponent's backhand; in doubles play, your percentage shot is just off the center (see below). ​

​One of the main reasons players don't like the lob is that their shots either go long (out of bounds) or short (opponents smash it back). Don't aim for the very back of the court. You're better off making a higher shot that lands a foot or so inside the baseline to avoid it landing out of bounds. Remember, though, that high shots are harder for your opponents to see, especially outdoors, and return with power. 

Once you master lob execution, you can also add topspin by brushing up on the ball while you carry it upward. Doing this two benefits: the ball drops sooner, making it easier to stay in bounds, and it bounces higher, making the ball harder to retrieve.

If you're playing outdoors, pay attention to the wind. Make a few practice lobs before the game to see how it affects the ball. The wind can be an asset: the opponent who gauges where your shot will land based on the direction of your paddle at the moment of impact may be well off the mark when the wind carries your shot sideways out of her reach.

The Dink-Lob
Another great lob can be made when all players at at the net. When you're in a dinking war, wait for the moment when you can add a bit more power and loft to your normal dink shot to create a lob. If your opponents are not paying close attention, you can catch them off guard with this cleverly disguised shot that will send them back to the baseline.

Defending Against the Lob
Whether you're playing singles or doubles, you must get behind the lob in the back court as fast as possible. In doubles play, when both you and your partner are at the net, the partner who can run back to take the ball on the forehand should move. In general, you should move if the ball will fall in your partner's court, regardless of forehand or backhand access because you have a better line of sight. While moving, call "Switch!" which tells your partner to move across to cover your court, now that you're in his.

It's best to turn sideways and shuffle back quickly enough to get into position when you reach the ball. DO NOT run backward, as that is one of the leading causes of injury. 

​What kind of shot should you return? A deep lob will send your opponent to his back court and will give you time to move up to the kitchen again. If you can't get that much power on the ball, try a drop shot just over the net into the kitchen. This takes practice, but it's a slow shot that should also allow you time to get to the net.

​What are your thoughts about the lob?

One of the hardest things for new players to do is get to the non-volley zone (NVZ) line safely when they are serving. When playing doubles, both serving players begin in the backcourt. This gives the opponents an immediate advantage since one of them starts at the NVZ and the other can run up, while you must wait due to the second-bounce rule. Then they usually hit balls long and hard, forcing you remain back.
 
Being as close to the net as possible provides a huge advantage. You don’t have to move as far to hit a ball, as shown in the diagram above: the woman at the net has much less distance to traverse to return the man's shot when she's at the NVZ. You’re also able to hit balls to the back court more easily and safely because you need less power and the angles are better. Finally, from the NVZ you can dink.

But how do you get there safely?

Current wisdom says your third shot should be a drop shot into the NVZ just over the net. Some players ask why, since you'd be inviting the opponent who's in the back court to run up to the NVZ. As I said earlier, chances are she's already done that, and the drop shot allows you time to move up, too. It also softens the game, making it nearly impossible for your opponents to hit a hard drive your way. When executed well, the ball lands low and soft, and your opponents must return the ball softly to make it over the net.

Executing drop shots and dinks well and consistently requires practice. Lots of it. But that practice pays off when you can remove the opponents' advantage and level the play. 

The other thing new players find difficult is to stand right behind the NVZ line with toes almost touching it. They lag back in midcourt or a few feet from the line because they're afraid they might step into the NVZ and volley. With practice, that doesn't happen often, and knowing where the NVZ is becomes a sixth sense. The main reason to stand close to the line is that your opponents can't target your feet. The height of the net makes that impossible when you're close to the line. Stand farther back and your shoes are perfect targets.

​When you are forced into the back court (by a lob, for example) during a rally and your opponents are at the net, you can turn to the drop shot again. Your hit has to be soft enough to bounce low, giving you time to run up again, and to prevent them from slamming the ball back. If you don't feel competent with the drop shot, a lob will also work.