Jack Sock Demonstrates How to Demolish the Lob Serve

An aggressive mentality and some simple technique means you're not just getting the ball back, you're trying to end the rally on your terms

In a recent mixed doubles match against Anna Leigh Waters, Jack Sock gave us a masterclass in handling one of pro pickleball's most entertaining new shots: the sky lob serve.

If you've ever found yourself backing up frantically or completely whiffing on a high floater, you're not alone. And these new serves are in a category all themselves.

But according to Zane Navratil, there are four concrete techniques that can transform how you attack these serves and take control of the point.

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1. Take the Serve on the Rise

The first move Sock demonstrates is taking the lob serve on the rise, meaning you're hitting it on the way up rather than backing up and waiting for it to peak. This keeps you inside the court and preserves your court position instead of surrendering ground like some opponents do.

When you take the ball early, you're already ahead in the rally. You're not giving your opponent time to reset or move forward. It's a simple shift in mindset, but it changes everything about how aggressive you can be.

2. Swing Outward, Not Downward

Here's where most players get it wrong. When the ball is high, your instinct is to swing down hard. But Sock shows us something different: he swings outward while closing the paddle face slightly to create the downward trajectory naturally.

This technique gives you more control and consistency. You're not muscling the ball down; you're letting the paddle angle do the work. It's a smoother, more repeatable motion that's easier to time when you're hitting on the rise.

3. Keep Your Backswing Compact

The lob serve can look intimidating, but Sock's backswing is actually pretty tight. The power comes from forward acceleration, not from a huge wind-up behind your head.

A compact backswing has a huge advantage: it's easier to time the ball when you're making contact on the rise. You're not fighting against momentum or trying to sync up a massive swing with a moving target. Less backswing means better timing and more consistency.

4. Attack Without Fear

The final piece is mindset. Sock doesn't lay up or play it safe when he gets a lob serve. He attacks it.

This aggressive mentality is what separates good lob serve returns from great ones. You're not just getting the ball back; you're trying to end the rally on your terms.

Putting It All Together

These four techniques work together to give you a complete system for crushing the lob serve:

• Move forward and take the ball early on the rise
• Swing outward with a slightly closed paddle face for natural downward trajectory
• Keep your backswing compact to improve timing
• Attack aggressively and embrace the offensive opportunity

You might not hit it as hard as a professional, but you can absolutely take the offensive off a lob serve and start the point at an advantage. The next time someone lobs you, remember Sock's approach: stay calm, move forward, and attack.

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Image via Jack Sock on Instagram