"I" Formation

**This UDF works well at club level play, USTA league play, junior and high school matches as well as college matches..

This (UDF) Unusual Doubles Formation puts the server in the center of the court to serve like a singles player.  Their partner is standing directly behind them.  The serving team decides if the server will serve and move left or right following the serve.

Don’t be afraid – pick a target and go for it.

Reasons for the serving team to use this formation:

1. The serving team removes the net player from harms way against receivers that decide to “take out” the net player.
2. The net player on the serving team is a timid net player and would in reality prefer not to be at the net.
3. The serving team wants to intimidate the receiving team and get inside their head to make decisions instead of focusing on the ball.
4. This position puts the serving team in motion with the serve and can be very distracting to the receiving team.  Because they are in motion it is easy to move forward into the ball.
5. Helps the serving team if they have become too passive and are not moving enough to create high energy on points.
6. The server has a weak serve and the receiving team is being too aggressive with returns, pinning the serve deep with the return and moving to the net where they can nail the net player.
7. It allows the serving team to play their “strong side shot” just like the regular “I” formation can do.  The server moves to take the side they prefer to play following the serve.

How to play teams that play the “I” Formation Both Back on serves:

1. Make a decision as to where you want to return and don’t change your mind – deep down the middle is a good choice.
2. Lob or loop the return and move into ¾ court and control the point from there.  Move both players back to take the pressure off the return of server and take away the net player target.
3. On weak second serves, drop shop in the middle and move in to control the net against a serve team that must come up to get the short return with you and your partner at net.
4. Practice against this formation often as it is the most commonly used.  Play it so you can feel how it is to be in that position.  You may well discover some holes that you can hit to as a receiving team.
5. Returning short or short angles is a good option while deep hard returns may not be as effective.

What not to do against this formation:

1. Don’t return with out a plan.
2. Avoid trying to hit too hard and make unforced errors.
3. Avoid playing back to the stronger ground stroke player.
4. Do not look at the “I” Formation Both Back players and forget to focus on the ball.

Photo credits: Revanta

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Don’t be afraid – pick a target and go for it.

Reasons for the serving team to use this formation:

1. The serving team can limit the receiving teams cross court return options.
2. The serving team has a good volleyer and wants to give them more opportunities to be able to volley on every serving point.
3. The serving team to compensate for a weak server by making the receiving team focus more on the server’s partner and not allow them to “T” off on the return so easily or dink the return back to the server’s side of the court.
4. The serving team has poor ground strokes and does not want to get into long baseline exchanges.
5. The serving team wants to intimidate the receiving team and get inside their head to make decisions instead of focusing on the ball.

Reasons for the receiving team to use this formation:

1. The receiving team has enough confidence in the receivers return that they chose not to guard the center of the court against poaches by the server’s partner.
2. The receiving team has good chip returns and wants to get into the net before the other team and put pressure on the server.
3. The receiving team’s returns very strong and puts the serving team on defense – this neutralized the serving team’s advantage.

How to play teams that play “I” or Modified “I” on serves:

1. Make a decision as to where you want to return and don’t change your mind.
2. Lob the returns a lot if you have a good lob and on second serves.
3. Move both players back to take the pressure off the return of server and take away the net player target.

How to play teams that play “I” or Modified “I” on returns:

1. Get to your first serve in up the middle to “C’ or at the “B” as it creates less angles on the return.
2. Serves up the middle forces the receiver’s partner to over to allow the returner room to make a cross court return.
3. If the return comes back high to the server, volley down the line.
4. Have your team play a Modified “I” or Australian against their formation.
5. Take the pace off your shots when they capture the net. Use softer shots with more spins so they cannot use your pace to kill your partner or hit aggressive shots between you.
6. Lob the serving team right away and force them to switch and run down the lob. You move in and now control the net.

What not to do:

1. Avoid getting sucked into their style of play if is not your style.
2. Avoid trying to hit too hard at the net player – it will only give them pace with which to pass your partner.
3. Avoid consistently serving wide serves as it allows more angles for the returner.
4. Do not look at the “modified” player.

Photo Credit: 1

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