Why Anna Leigh Waters’ Lob Serve Works
Summary
In episode 143 of the Pickleball Effect podcast, the hosts test whether paddles are getting faster and break down why Anna Leigh Waters’ lob serve has been so effective. Her version looks more refined than before: higher, deeper and with a bit more topspin.
Because the serve lands deep and bounces high, returners take an extra step back to wait for it to drop into their strike zone. That leaves them further from the kitchen and slower to get forward. The ball is also slow, so they have to create all their own pace, and an imperfect return leaves them late to the line while the serving team attacks the third. The hosts expect more players to adopt it, so it’s worth practicing the return.
Key takeaways
- A deep, high-bouncing lob serve pushes the returner back
- Returners must create their own pace
- Late returners get attacked on the third
- Expect to see this serve more often
Action items
- Have a partner hit high, deep lob serves and practice your return
- Work on getting your return deep and moving forward quickly
- Experiment with a higher, deeper serve with a little topspin