NetballExplained

How to Do a Lob Pass in Netball

Lob pass technique in netball: releasing above the head, a high arc that peaks over the defender, and placing it into the space ahead of the receiver.

Written by Claire McDonald · Last updated

Start with the ball at chest height and release it above your head, with one or two hands, moving your arm or arms up and forward towards the receiver. Use your wrist and fingers to send it in a high arc into the space ahead of the receiver, with the highest point coming as it passes over the defender in front of them.

The lob pass beats a defender by going over them entirely. It's one of the four foundation passes in World Netball's coaching material — and the slowest of them to reach the receiver, which makes timing and placement especially important.

Technique

A lob pass over a defender Side view. The passer releases the ball above the head. A defender stands in front of the receiver with arms raised. The ball rises in a high arc whose highest point is directly over the defender, then drops into the space ahead of the receiver, who moves forward to catch it. Defender Receiver 1 2 3
The lob pass, side on.
  1. The ball starts at chest height and is released above the head, with the arm or arms moving up and forward towards the receiver.
  2. The highest point of the arc should come as the ball passes over the defender standing in front of the receiver.
  3. The wrist and fingers direct it into the space ahead of the receiver, who moves onto it.

World Netball's coaching points:

  1. One hand or two. Your body can be facing the receiver or side-on.
  2. Chest height to above the head. The ball starts at chest height and is released above your head.
  3. Up and forward. As you throw, your arm or arms move up and forward in the direction of the receiver.
  4. Wrist and fingers direct it in a high arc into the space ahead of the receiver.
  5. Peak over the defender. The highest point of the arc should come as the ball passes over the defender standing in front of the receiver.
  6. Step into it. Transfer your weight from the back foot to the front foot as you step forward.

When to use it

The lob is the pass for a receiver who is fronted — a defender standing between them and the ball — with space behind. The classic example is feeding a shooter who has moved into space near the post, behind a defender who is fronting them (see feeding the shooting circle and back cuts).

Because it spends longer in the air than any other pass, it works best when the receiver already has clear space. Thrown to someone still working to get free, it gives defenders time to read it, turn and attack the catch.

Getting the arc right

The coaching point that matters most is where the arc peaks. If it peaks too early, the ball is already dropping as it reaches the defender; too low, and a defender with good reach or a well-timed jump can get to it. Aim for the top of the arc to be directly over the defender, then let it drop into the space ahead of the receiver.

How to practise

Start by lobbing over a passive defender with arms raised to a stationary partner, so you learn the height and the peak point. Then have the receiver move into the space as you release, and finally add a defender who can jump and turn to contest it.

Sources

All information on this page is given to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing (October 2026), after referring to the official sources below.

Common mistakes

  • An arc that peaks too early or too low, so the defender can still reach it.
  • Throwing it at the receiver rather than into the space ahead of them.
  • Lobbing when a lower, quicker pass was available — the lob is the slowest pass to arrive.
  • Using a lob to create separation instead of using it once the receiver has it.