My very old doubles partner cannot bend!

[chess9]

I've agreed to play a doubles tournament with an older player (72) who was once quite good. However, his knees are shot and he can't bend but a very very small amount. He doesn't really "run". :) He's 6'4" tall and can still volley a bit.

What formation should we use in doubles and does anyone have any suggestions for us in terms of strategy? I can still run pretty fast....

Thanks,
-Robert

[simi]

I've agreed to play a doubles tournament with an older player (72) who was once quite good. However, his knees are shot and he can't bend but a very very small amount. He doesn't really "run". :) He's 6'4" tall and can still volley a bit.

What formation should we use in doubles and does anyone have any suggestions for us in terms of strategy? I can still run pretty fast....

Thanks,
-Robert

Half volleys will 'kill' him. So will serve returns at his feet. You want to position yourselves so that those are minimized. Sounds like you want him up at the net as much as possible. Maybe he should stay back on his serve and not try to come in. Expect for the opposition to 'pick on him'. Agree ahead of time for you to cover the middle. Good luck.

[DragonNeedSpank]

hmm the net would be better for him....

good luck!!

[LuckyR]

This is a fairly common occurence in doubles. I have had the best luck (and the most fun) by doing a few things: 1st- speak with him ahead of time and let him know that you are going to have fun regardless of the outcome, sometimes these guys get a little selfconscious about their court coverage. Life is too short to sweat stuff like that. 2nd- verbally give him free rein to hit any shot he wants and to let any shot he can't get, through. 3rd- place him in the ad court and have him serve second (both to maximize his netplay). 4th- you should go for a lot of winners to shorten the points and when you are at the baseline (serving or returning) act like you are playing singles, ie anticipate going for every single ball, since he won't get to them all. This actually is a pretty good drill for your anticipation skills. Naturally try to get to the net as soon as possible and don't be afraid to poach like a madman, even when he is at the net. Sure you might look a bit aggressive but smile, smile smile, win or lose.

[chess9]

Thanks for the tips guys, especially LuckyR.

We intend to have some fun with this and I am a bit UP for it because it will be like a training day. We are playing in the over 60 division, so we won't get annihilated. :)

I'll let you know what happens.

-Robert

[tennis-n-sc]

This is a fairly common occurence in doubles. I have had the best luck (and the most fun) by doing a few things: 1st- speak with him ahead of time and let him know that you are going to have fun regardless of the outcome, sometimes these guys get a little selfconscious about their court coverage. Life is too short to sweat stuff like that. 2nd- verbally give him free rein to hit any shot he wants and to let any shot he can't get, through. 3rd- place him in the ad court and have him serve second (both to maximize his netplay). 4th- you should go for a lot of winners to shorten the points and when you are at the baseline (serving or returning) act like you are playing singles, ie anticipate going for every single ball, since he won't get to them all. This actually is a pretty good drill for your anticipation skills. Naturally try to get to the net as soon as possible and don't be afraid to poach like a madman, even when he is at the net. Sure you might look a bit aggressive but smile, smile smile, win or lose.

Very nice post.

[jonolau]

This is a fairly common occurence in doubles. I have had the best luck (and the most fun) by doing a few things: 1st- speak with him ahead of time and let him know that you are going to have fun regardless of the outcome, sometimes these guys get a little selfconscious about their court coverage. Life is too short to sweat stuff like that. 2nd- verbally give him free rein to hit any shot he wants and to let any shot he can't get, through. 3rd- place him in the ad court and have him serve second (both to maximize his netplay). 4th- you should go for a lot of winners to shorten the points and when you are at the baseline (serving or returning) act like you are playing singles, ie anticipate going for every single ball, since he won't get to them all. This actually is a pretty good drill for your anticipation skills. Naturally try to get to the net as soon as possible and don't be afraid to poach like a madman, even when he is at the net. Sure you might look a bit aggressive but smile, smile smile, win or lose.
LuckyR, you have captured the essence of tennis and injected some hope back into the game for me! I share your sentiments about the attitude towards the game. It's just sad to see players who may be good, but are just so arrogant and cocky. Takes the fun and magic out of the game ...

Thanks!

[cak]

One of my favorite partners is a 70 year old 6ft tall lady whom I'm sure in her prime was quite the player. She's not as fast as she used to be (but not as slow as I keep thinking she is...), and occasionally her shoulder gives her trouble, but she has a mean serve, an awsome reach, an intimidating overhead, and a great sense of humor. I poach on her serve, run down anything I can, try to hit at their feet to she can use her height and put the ball away, and she handles anything close to her, and we ususally win even playing girls half my age, which would be about a third of her age. We have a great time.

[DragonNeedSpank]

im getting sick of hearing tall ppl while im so small and short :mad:

[chess9]

im getting sick of hearing tall ppl while im so small and short :mad:

But, there is good news. Gravity is kinder to smaller people, so by the time you are 60, you will be able to run everything down like a 40 year old, while big guys are struggling. I noticed at the last age group tournament I went to that almost all the better 50+ players are smaller.

Hang in there, stay fit, and every year you will gain a "small" advantage.

-Robert

[stc9357]

I played in an adult tournament one time with my partner is was open to juniors and we played these older people one was abot 50 and the other around 75 and all we did was dropshot to the 75 year olds side of the court his partner tried to cover them but that put him out of position it was mean but it worked and they eventually had to retire in the second set due to heat exhaustion.

[zhan]

prepare to lose to young guys...
thats all i can say
an old guy who cant run cant bend... isnt much use in tennis...
modern tennis is power tennis ...
u need to run and get to stuff

[chess9]

prepare to lose to young guys...
thats all i can say
an old guy who cant run cant bend... isnt much use in tennis...
modern tennis is power tennis ...
u need to run and get to stuff

All true, but the battle is won at our age if we show up at the courts vertical. :)

I played doubles with him last night, btw, at the club. I haven't sprinted that much in a long time (lobs) and we were drop shot meat....

Regardless, if it doesn't kill me, it'll make me stronger, or something. :)

-Robert

[papa]

You get to the second volley position ASAP (especially partner) and you take overheads out of his reach. Be carefull about poaching requireing a quick switch. On his serve, be carefull also about the lob over your head (as netman) or drop shots on his side - he sould get in as fast as he can even if it takes a few steps at a time - he should not remain back.

[chess9]

You get to the second volley position ASAP (especially partner) and you take overheads out of his reach. Be carefull about poaching requireing a quick switch. On his serve, be carefull also about the lob over your head (as netman) or drop shots on his side - he sould get in as fast as he can even if it takes a few steps at a time - he should not remain back.

On my serve, if he gets to volley, he will put it away or blow it.

On his serve, he stays back and only comes in on a short ball. I poach a lot and cover the short angle dinks. (I can get some of them. Depends...)

I will probably take most of the overheads. My overhead is very good anyway, so this is something I think we will have to work out properly. He's better off not trying to hit overheads because, er, well, it's a lousy shot for him because as we know you must get your feet into position quickly to hit a proper overhead. Against tournament grade opposition, I expect to see a lot of lobs and angled dinks.

I have already told him not to move from the net. He will just blow the shot anyway unless it's within arm's reach. One step and he's off balance. :(

I hope this is all what you meant, papa.

By the way, this guy is a fantastic human being. He's a law professor and very smart and a bit on the dorky/loveable side. I am stoked that he asked me to play with him AND that he wants to play. I have a neighbor who is 50 and he moans when he has to take his garbage out. :( Anyway, I hope I'm going at 72.

Oh, August 7, is the date.

-Robert

[LuckyR]

It's guys like this that keep you going when you know your best tennis days are behind you. Otherwise it's feeling crumby about lost opportunities and never winning this or that tourney etc.

[papa]

Well, ok sounds like you might have a little problem on your hands here.

[arnz]

I can see it now

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SWQtdV8HFc&search=tennis

Have a good match buddy:)

[papa]

I can see it now

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SWQtdV8HFc&search=tennis

Have a good match buddy:)

That one certainly gave me a good laugh - well done.

[simi]

I can see it now

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SWQtdV8HFc&search=tennis

How'd they get me on video without knowing about it? Cute video.