COMMUNITY SPORTS TIPS: Retrieving a lob

In the game of tennis, of all the movements that happen during a match — it’s the backwards movement that is the most difficult.

The first movement to get us ready to cover a ball that is going over our head, known as a” lob,” is to use footwork to turn your body to one side or the other. This movement will keep you from having to back peddle after the ball.

The number one mistake of trying to get to a lob is we try to back peddle. This in turn, makes us do a movement that we are not used to, and a lot of the time results in us falling, or giving up on the shot because we are unable to go fast enough.

So when you see your opponent has hit a lob, remember to use footwork to turn to the side, as this will allow you to then run forward at an angle to get ahead of the ball. Then at this point you will be able to hit a forehand or backhand groundstroke.

Jared Grose is the tennis director at the University Park Country Club. For more information, call 355-3888 or visit www.universitypark-fl.com