The Key to Winning Doubles

Few intermediate doubles teams come into a match with any real game plan. Most teams prefer to keep a player on the baseline to cover the backcourt and they simply rally the ball until someone misses. Some teams know that the idea is to get both players to the net, but they are unsure of how to coordinate with their partner and where to aim their shots. Even when a pro explains the basic maneuvers, it still seems too complicated.

Fortunately, the fundamental strategy can be summed up simply as deep (the baseline player) to deep sets up short (the volleyer) to short. In other words, the baseline player sets up the volleyer to win the point. The baseline player, being so far away, is really in a defensive position and should rarely attempt to win the point outright. The volleyer is the offensive player and has a good chance of winning the point outright by playing all high volleys and overheads past the opposing volleyer (usually targeting the center “T”).

At the beginning of every point it is very helpful for each team to focus on this strategy by visualizing how they want the point to develop.

The ideal point for the serving team: The server puts in a deep serve to the receiver’s backhand. The return is short and the server moves in to play an approach shot or volley crosscourt back to the receiver’s feet. The ball is popped up and either the server or his partner can put the ball away past the receiver’s partner.

The ideal point for the receiving team: The ball is served short to the forehand. The receiver returns the ball safely to the server’s feet and closes in behind it. The server pops up the ball and either the receiver or the partner can now hit a high volley past the server’s partner.

When a team follows this strategy they are playing within themselves. They are not taking unnecessary risks by going for a big shot too soon. Groundstrokes and low volleys are played safely. The team is patiently waiting for their oportunity to win the point with a high volley or overhead. As an added abonus, since the team already knows their targets, they can watch the ball more carefully and cut down on mishits.