3 Secrets to Winning Doubles, pt 3

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Aim for Your Target!

This is the last post in our series for tips to win doubles tennis.

Secret #3 “Tennis Targets” Where to hit & when to go there!

Serving as Simple as A-B-C:

When serving, tell your partner where you plan to serve – both serves. For example A-B, B-C or C-C (A=alley, B=Body and C=center) Many players tell where the first serve is planned but if they miss the net player has no idea where the second serve will go.
This communication before the point also helps keep the server focused and have a game plan.
The server’s partner can plan to fake at the net or poach if they know in advance the directional intent of the serve. Without this prior knowledge, they are the last person on the court to see where the serve is landing and which makes it difficult to react quickly to help the server win the point.

Receiving as Easy as 1-2-3-4:

When you are receiving, there are 4 targets or squares on the opposite side of the court. (The deuce court is square #1, the area behind the deuce service court is square #2, the area behind the ad service court is square #3 and the ad court is square #4). Tell your partner which of the 4 squares you plan to return serve to, knowing if you get it trouble always lob to square #2 or #3 as an escape route.
This prior communication allow the receiver’s partner to plan to defend if the receiver is going to lob or move forward if the receiver is going to chip a shorter return low cross court

Volley in the Valleys:

When you volley at the net, aim between the two mountains (the two players on the other side).
The most common mistake in doubles is to volley at the player’s feet – that will cause them to hit accidental lobs over your head as a reflex in defending their bodies. Aim at their feet but off to either side of them – in the valleys.

These 3 basic secrets can give you team a “game plan”, communication skills and targets before, during and after a match to keep focus and analyze how and why they are winning and losing.

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