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A high, arcing lob that intentionally sends the ball to the back glass wall before landing in play.
Definition
A back-glass lob is an offensive or defensive high shot that deliberately directs the ball to rebound off the back glass wall. This tactic creates difficulties for net players by forcing them to track a high, floating ball that may change direction after the wall bounce. Offensive back-glass lobs are used to end rallies by placing the ball beyond the opponents' reach; defensive back-glass lobs buy time and reset the point. The back glass wall in padel's 20×10m court sits directly behind the baseline, making the back-glass lob a uniquely padel tactical element absent in tennis. Executing this shot requires precise lob height control and understanding how much topspin to apply to ensure the ball lands in play after the rebound.
Origin: Evolved in Spanish padel in the 1980s as players optimized wall usage for tactical advantage.
Deployed offensively to finish points or defensively to reset rallies when net opponents apply pressure.
Aim for 6–8 feet of clearance above the net; high enough to clear opponents' reach but shallow enough to land in play after the wall bounce.
Yes, but it's most effective from mid-court or deep baseline. From close to net, a regular lob is usually better.
Practice drills