Mastering the lob shot in Rugby Fives
A well-played lob shot can change the shape of a Rugby Fives rally in an instant. Instead of driving the ball hard and flat, the player sends it high towards the front wall, creating a slower, deeper reply that pushes an opponent away from the best attacking position. It is a shot of touch, timing and judgement rather than brute force.
For Australian players discovering the sport through schools, clubs or community sessions, the lob is an especially useful skill. Indoor courts are valuable in places such as Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, where winter rain, summer heat or packed school schedules can make reliable court time difficult. A controlled high ball helps players manage pressure while they learn the angles and rhythm of Fives.
What makes a lob effective
The purpose of a lob is to alter height and distance. A good lob reaches the front wall high enough to deny an easy attacking volley, then travels deep into the opponent’s court. The opponent may be forced to retreat, turn or strike from an awkward position, giving the lobber time to recover towards the centre.
Height alone does not make the shot successful. A ball that rises without enough depth may fall comfortably for the opponent. A ball that travels too far across the court can expose the side wall and create a simple counter. The best lobs combine a generous arc with a landing area that is difficult to reach cleanly.
Think of the lob as a tactical reset. It can relieve pressure after a poor position, interrupt a fast exchange and create a longer rally. Used with purpose, it becomes an attacking tool rather than a desperate defensive lift.
Reading the court before you strike
The decision to lob begins before the ball reaches your hand. Watch the opponent’s feet, shoulders and recovery route. If they are standing close to the front wall, a high shot may send them deep and open space in front. If they are already waiting at the back, a lower, more direct shot may be wiser.
Court position matters greatly. When you are under pressure near a side wall, aim for a safe front-wall line that gives the ball room to climb. Avoid attempting a delicate cross-court lob when your body is twisted or your balance is poor. A dependable straight lob is often the better choice, especially during a tight championship rally.
Australian beginners can apply this idea during short after-school sessions or a casual arvo hit: pause the rally occasionally and identify where both players are standing. That simple habit builds court awareness faster than hitting ball after ball without a plan.
Building the right technique
Start with a stable base. Place your feet so that your shoulders can turn towards the intended line, keep your eyes on the ball and allow the hand to travel smoothly through contact. The shot should feel guided rather than slapped. A relaxed hand helps you control the ball’s height and reduces unnecessary tension in the forearm.
The contact point is usually slightly in front of the body, with the hand moving upwards through the ball. Do not scoop wildly from underneath. Excessive lifting can produce a weak, floating ball that sits up for an opponent. Instead, use a compact upward swing and finish towards the target, allowing the front wall to provide the lift.
Practise both forehand and backhand lobs. The backhand version often feels less natural, yet it becomes essential when the ball arrives close to the body or side wall. Coaches can use a simple target zone on the front wall and reward a high, controlled arc rather than raw pace.
Controlling height, pace and direction
A lob has three adjustable qualities: height, speed and direction. More height usually creates extra time, but it can also reduce pressure if the ball is too slow. A firmer lob travels deeper and may force a weak return, though it demands better accuracy.
The straight lob is the safest starting point. It keeps the path predictable and reduces the risk of sending the ball into a comfortable angle. Once control improves, introduce a cross-court lob to move the opponent laterally. This variation is most effective when the opponent has committed to one side and cannot recover quickly.
Use targets instead of vague instructions. Mark a deep landing area with cones, tape or visual points on the court, while observing the rules and safety requirements of the venue. A useful practice sequence is ten straight lobs, ten backhand lobs and ten cross-court attempts, with the player recording how many reach the intended zone.
Choosing the right moment
The lob works best when it responds to a clear opportunity. Play it when the opponent is too far forward, when your own position needs repair or when a fast exchange has become uncomfortable. It can also follow a low shot that brings the opponent towards the front, making the change of height more disruptive.
Avoid lobbing automatically from every defensive position. A predictable high ball lets a skilled opponent settle beneath it and regain control. Vary the shot with a drive, a lower pass or a change of direction. The threat of the lob is often as valuable as the lob itself because it makes the opponent hesitate about moving forward.
During a school competition, a player may be tempted to hit every ball hard to impress teammates. A calm lob can be the smarter choice. In Australian school sport, where players may have limited weekly court time and mixed experience levels, learning when to slow the rally is a practical competitive advantage.
Training the lob under pressure
Begin with cooperative drills. One player feeds a manageable ball, while the other aims for a chosen height and depth. Progress to movement drills in which the player must recover to the centre after each lob. This links technique with the positioning required in a real rally.
Add decision-making once the basic motion is dependable. A coach or partner can call “drive”, “lob” or “either” just before contact. Another useful exercise gives the attacker two options: if the feeder stands close to the front wall, lob; if they retreat, play a lower shot. These drills teach the player to read the court rather than follow a fixed pattern.
For Australian clubs and schools, indoor sessions can make this work consistent during a wet Sydney winter or a hot Brisbane afternoon. A Melbourne programme may fit lobbing drills into a lunchtime or before-school block, while a community group can use rotating pairs so beginners receive frequent attempts without long waits. Keep the emphasis on control, recovery and safe spacing.
| Situation | Useful lob choice | Main purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Opponent is close to the front wall | High straight lob | Move them deep and create recovery time |
| You are trapped near a side wall | Controlled straight lob | Escape pressure without taking a risky angle |
| Opponent has committed to one side | Cross-court lob | Change direction and stretch their movement |
| Opponent is waiting deep | Lower attacking shot | Avoid giving them an easy high return |
| Rally is fast and uncomfortable | High defensive reset | Slow the exchange and restore court position |
A strong lob is built through repetition, but improvement comes from purposeful repetition. Track whether the ball reached the intended height, whether it landed deep enough and whether you recovered to a useful position afterwards. A shot that lands well but leaves you stranded is only half-complete.
Players should also learn from match footage or simple phone recordings where permitted. Look for the moment the decision was made, the opponent’s position and the quality of the recovery. This kind of review is useful for emerging Australian programmes that may be building links with established Rugby Fives clubs and coaches in the United Kingdom.
Add the lob to your next training session with a clear target and a simple tactical goal. Rugby Fives rewards touch, patience and intelligent movement, and this shot brings all three together. Find a local school, club or Rugby Fives Association activity, practise with a partner and turn a high, controlled ball into a reliable part of your game.
