Site Products
Larry Hodges, table tennis coach

Why Lobbing is Good For You, Why Lobbing is Bad For You

Posted on

(by Larry Hodges)

Of course lobbing is good for your game.

  • It wins points that would otherwise be lost.
  • It allows you to practice off-table footwork, which can improve your footwork for counterlooping, fishing, or chopping.
  • It helps you develop topspin touch and control, which can help your counterlooping and fishing.
  • It gives you practice reacting to a hard-hit ball.
  • It gives great difficulties for some players, especially shorter players.
  • It’s great for exhibitions and demos.
  • It’s fun!

Of course lobbing is bad for your game.

  • It can lead to the bad habit of lobbing when you could make a more effective, less defensive shot.
  • It can lead to the bad habit of backing up from the table too easily rather than controlling play closer in.

So . . . there seem to be more reasons for lobbing then against. In general, read the reasons NOT to lob first, and make absolutely sure not to fall for these bad habits. Then learn to lob for the reasons given for why it is good for you. And yes, it’s fun!

Latest News

United States Smash: Hitomi Sato with Big Upset in LA

June 30, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) The first top seed has fallen, as World No. 2 Wang Manyu fell… Read More

Kou Lei – Backhand Flip Serve Return

June 30, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Kou Lei is working on the Backhand Flip Serve Return… Read More

United States Smash: Kanak Jha and Lily Zhang Advance

June 30, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins) A pair of American upsets marked the second day of action in the Round of… Read More

Seven Placements and the Wide Angles

June 29, 2026
(By Larry Hodges, Member of US Table Tennis Hall of Fame There are basically seven different directional placements… Read More

Arantxa Cossio Aceves – Forehand & Backhand Loop from underspin

June 29, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips,  Arantxa Cossio Aceves is focusing on the Forehand and Backhand… Read More

MLTT Meet the Teams: Texas Smash

June 29, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo MLTT) The Texas Smash remain one of the most formidable franchises in Major League… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Three10 Table Tennis Club

June 28, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins) Three10 Table Tennis Club is one of Canada's National High Performance Training Centres. A club… Read More

United States Smash: Early Action

June 28, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins) The first day of action in the Round of 64 is underway at the United… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.