Doubles Tennis Strategy

My notes as a 4.0 player getting back into the game after a 15 year hiatus.

3 things to work on at tonight’s clinic:

return volleys back to opposing net player; in direction of my movement, not cross court
Notice my default swing path on forehand
Avoid quadrant 4 (outside corner of service box) while at net. Try to stay in quadrant 2: inside middle corner

Net Play: Triangle Movement * don't just go side to side at net when poaching * when attempting poach, move UP to net first, then laterally to intercept * if you get to ball, hit in the same direction you are moving, which means: hit at Net Opponent. Otherwise, if you hit back to the baseliner cross-court, you are now out of position and left a... See more

ERRORS -- "PEST" Positioning errors: in wrong court position Execution errors: hardest to control Shot Selection errors: which type of shot and where to hit Tactical errors: various Source: Gigi Fernandez

STAGGERING: when you and partner are both at net, you should both be staggered (one closer to net to hit volley; the other a little bit behind to cover potential lob). When ball is on YOUR HALF, stagger UP. Else, stagger back.

Hit down the alley IF (a) opponent is very active / aggressive at net or (b) you get a ball served on a platter

If you cannot get to AT LEAST the service line after a serve or approach shot, DO NOT come into the net.

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