Do you know your Job Description for Doubles Positions as a Doubles Team?

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

It is difficult to perform well at work, home or play, when you are not knowledgeable or confident in your job description. Too often players and partners on a doubles team are not aware or confident in their job description.
Great teams like the Bryan brothers talk between points, keep each other pumped up and focused [...]

Know Your Court – Terms Every Tennis Play Should Know

Thursday, March 19th, 2009

Tennis Court—Where the game is played.
78 feet long – 36 feet wide for doubles and 78 by 27 for singles
Love- Score when a player has no score
15- Score when you win the 1st point
30- Score when you win the second point
40 – Score when you win the third point

Duece- Score when [...]

Serve and Volley or Rush and Crush Formations

Monday, February 16th, 2009

These players love to get to the net at any cost, hit strong volley winners and overheads. Don’t be afraid of the charging team.
Reasons for the serving team to use this formation:
1. The serving team is both good volleyers.
2. The serving team has good overheads and likes to intimidate the other team.
3. The serving team likes pace or [...]

3 Secrets to Winning Doubles, pt 1

Thursday, January 29th, 2009

This is the first post of three consecutive posts on the secrets to winning doubles in tennis.
Secret #1 “Tennis Talk” – What to say and when to say it!
Before the match:

Decide with your partner ahead of time if you want to serve first, receive first, and choose [...]

Both Players Back Formation

Monday, January 26th, 2009

When playing both players back, the serving team or receiving team both start together on the baseline.
Reasons for the receiving team to stay back:
1. The serving team is too strong with the serve and it is difficult to return the ball past the server’s partner – fear factor.
2. The net player of the serving team is too [...]

Winning in Practice, pt 2

Thursday, January 15th, 2009

This is part two in a two part set.
Doubles Situations

The receiving team must lob the return of serve and try to take the net at least twice in each game. This is especially effective when the serving team is serving into the sun.
The serving team must play out of the “I” formation or Australian formation.  [...]

One Up and One Back Formations

Monday, January 12th, 2009

When teams play this formation, they can be the easiest to beat – if you play smart. This formation leaves lots of holes in their defense and can make their net player a target for the other team. Don’t be afraid of the net.
Reasons for the serving team to use this formation:
1. The serving team [...]

Winning in Practice, pt 1

Thursday, January 8th, 2009

“Practicing to win requires rehearsing the tactical situations you will encounter and selecting the correct appropriate response for that situation until you can execute these responses in the heat of match play” …Ken DeHart
Playing the Score
Practice your singles and doubles match with altered scoring situations:

Start all games [...]

Modified “I” and “I” Formations

Monday, January 5th, 2009

These players like variety and want to get into your head. They like to volley and want to distract you. This formation can be use by the serving team on every point as well as by the receiving team.
Don’t be afraid – pick a target and go for it.
Reasons for the serving team to [...]