Tennis For Two - Doubles Tips And Video
Doubles is four-handed tennis. Every time you make a stroke you must do it with a definite plan to avoid putting your partner in trouble. The keynote of doubles success is team work; not individual brilliancy.
1. A team is as strong as its weakest player at any given time.
2. PUT the ball in play. A double fault is bad in singles, but it is inexcusable in doubles.
3. The return of service should be certain. After that it should be low and to the server coming in. Do not strive for clean aces in doubles until you have the opening. Remember that to pass two men is a difficult task.
4. Always attack in doubles. Always strive to attain net position. The net is the only place in the court to play the doubles game. Every shot should be built up with the idea of attaining net position.
5. Always trying for the kill when you see a real opening. Go for a shot which is not really on your side of the court whenever you see a chance to score.
6. Never poach unless you go for the kill. It is a win or nothing shot since it opens your whole court.
7. Volley and smash whenever possible, and only retreat when absolutely necessary.
8. When the ball goes toward the side-line the net player on that side should go in close and toward the line. His partner should fall slightly back and to the center of the court, thus covering the shot between players. If the next return goes to the other side, the two players reverse positions.
9. Each player should cover overhead balls over his own head, and hit them in the air whenever possible. If the ball is allowed to drop it gives the net to the other team.
10. Always be ready to protect your partner, but do not take shots over your partners head unless they call for you to or you see a certain kill. In that case communicate and yell "Mine and hit decisively.
11. Use the lob as a defense and to give time to get yourselves into a better position.
12. The value of service in doubles cannot be too strongly emphasized since it gives the net to the server. Service should always be held. Losing service is a sin in first-class doubles.
13. All shots in doubles should be low or very high. Do not hit shoulder-high as it is too easy to kill. Volley down and hard if possible. Every shot you make should be made with a definite idea of opening the court.
14. Hit down the center to disrupt the team work of the opposing team; but hit to the side-lines for your aces.
15. Pick the weakest player and center your attack on that player.
16. Never show annoyance with your partner and do not scold if they are doing the best they can. You will have less of a chance winning while fighting then if not. Offer suggestions if needed.
17. Choose a leader for attack but at any given point when the partner has the superior position leadership can change.
18. Pick a partner and stick with that partner. It should be someone you want to play with and vice versa
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