The Key to Doubles Court Coverage: Dominate the Center of the Net

Your Pro will always tell you that in good doubles the team that gets to the net first wins. The reason for this is simply because a volleyer can spike the ball to the center T for a winner while the baseliner must lift his/her shots up defensively. Intermediates are often reluctant to come in however, because it seems like too large an area to cover. But the reality is that most balls in doubles (singles, too) cross the center third of the net and the team that dominates the center has a huge advantage.

By looking at the diagram you will see the reason for this is simple geometry. The receiver must hit crosscourt to keep the ball away from the server’s partner at net. Yet hitting an extremely angled crosscourt return is too risky and is not usually successful. Therefore, most returns will be hit over the center part of the net.

If the serving team gets to the net quickly and shifts over to cover the center third and the down the line third, they will be covering all the most likely returns. Thus, they become a solid wall that the receiver is forced to hit around or over – both of which are more difficult to do.

Important: If the server does not come in then the receiver should always return crosscourt, come in, and shift over. The server now confronts a wall at the net and loses his/her initial advantage.

So please remember that it is the volleyer diagonally across from the hitter that covers the center and that by taking away the easiest straight shots your opponents must try for the riskier angles and lobs.