[Illustration:  The back-hand drive beginning middle finish]

The lob is a most important and useful stroke and should be constantly practised.  It is by no means an easy stroke to play really well and accurately.  It is generally a defensive shot, and makes your opponent move from the net, unless she intends to be beaten by it.  I am speaking, of course, of the singles game.  It is a useful stroke for giving you breathing time if you are made to run about much, or for enabling you to get back into position if you have been forced out of it.  It is nearly always best to lob to your opponent’s back-hand, since the majority of players are weaker there.

There are three kinds of lobs:  (1) The high lob, sent well out of reach of your opponent’s racket, but with the disadvantage of taking some time to reach the ground.  Although it moves your opponent out of her dangerous position right up at the net, there is time for her to run back and return it. (2) The low lob, which only just passes over your opponent’s racket—­a much more risky shot than the high lob, but with the advantage of falling much quicker.  If you succeed in getting the ball out of her reach, it is almost certain to be a winning shot, because she will not have time to turn and go after what is a very fast-dropping ball. (3) The lob-volley is one of the prettiest strokes and a most effective one.  It is very difficult to accomplish with success; there is always great risk of not getting it out of your opponent’s reach and having it killed outright.  It is generally played with an under-hand stroke by hitting the ball before it has reached the ground, and lifting it well over your opponent’s head.  It should be a high lob.  The racket must be grasped firmly and held nearly, horizontal for this stroke.  In playing lobs the racket must come well underneath the ball, which should be struck very truly in the centre of the racket.

The Half Volley.—­This stroke has great possibilities, and is efficacious both in attack and defence, although chiefly used for defence.  The ball must be hit immediately after it has bounced; in fact, within a few inches after its impact with the ground.  For attacking it can easily be seen how useful this stroke can become; the time gained, as compared to waiting for the ground stroke, is invaluable.  But it wants a perfect eye to play it with any facility; the majority of players do not watch the ball long enough.  Lack of confidence is another reason why this stroke is not used more on the offensive.

A short drop shot from the back of the court, or, in fact, from any position in the court (but I think more effectively used from the back of the court), is a very paying stroke to have at your command.  It is difficult to be accurate with this shot, and it needs much patient practice.  Yet it is one on which trouble may very profitably be expended, for it often turns the tide at a critical moment.