When opponents isolate your weaker doubles partner?

[ohplease]

How should the stronger half of a team respond when the only ball they see is their opponents' putaway?

In the past, I've found myself erring on the side of trying to do too much, which sometimes works. However, this approach also results in many, many more errors, my team often being out of position, etc. Essentially playing much, much more recklessly in an effort to keep the opposition from having enough time to pick on my partner. I'm sure some people actually enjoy this sort of a run-and-gun, all offense all the time approach - but I've found its success to depend way too much on whether or not I'm feeling especially good or bad that day.

Is there any other way? Or am I doomed to stupid tennis until I rotate to a better partner?

[lendl lives]

thats a tuff one...

[JohnThomas1]

Hmmmmmmm. It's ok if the other team mirrors yours, but if not you just have to accept the facts i think. If both are your level then you are going to lose the match near every time. Try to do too much against fellow good players and they will have a picnic, as you hint. SOMETIMES (When doing a lot or too much)you will have a great day and maybe win, but not often.

When your partner is returning it might be better to stay back a bit maybe. At least his sitters wouldn't be easy putaways, and you might even get a ball or two. When i play a match as such i try to do as much as i can without being silly about it. I also treat it as a chance to work on my game and it's basics, i try to concetrate on every ball i get and hold up my end. It's a great chance to work on my game without the pressure of winning. You might even try the odd new shot. The big thing is not to try and put away every ball for fear of your partner getting one. Hitting a few balls is hopefully only going to make him better.

[Kobble]

If your opponent is bad enough or tanking so the other side can win, you are screwed. Especially, if you do not serve lights out, and hit winners off every return.

[PHSTennis]

Yeah Im playing mixed doubles with my friend Im better than she is but I dont blame her :P Its cool... I can beagle my other friend on the other side... I had a bad feeling he ll hit it to my partner... but my partner is better than his... I can ace on most of my serves... and about 80% first serves dont come back... the second serve has heavy spin on it and a slow pace... Should I play all out... my friends partner will be a teacher haha should I play mean and hit it to his partner and hit first serves on everything? LOL well see what my partner has to say... I must listen to her

[chadw01]

My partner never comes to the net - ever. It's annoying as hell.. what is doubles without net play???

Time for a new partner...

[JohnThomas1]

My partner didn't used to either. And we play at a decent level, certainly good enough to be nigh impossible to win staying back. To make matters worse he is a superb volleyer and erratic from the back. Finally when we played our nemisis's i said "if you're gonna stay back we may as well not turn up, you can't beat this pair staying back". It sunk in, he now rattles in everuy serve and does an awesome job of it.

[Phil]

Is there any other way? Or am I doomed to stupid tennis until I rotate to a better partner?

You answered it-you'll lose until you get another partner.

[Nas Eclipse]

i watched a tennis doules match on my high school tennis team. The two from my team kept hitting to the weaker player so they guy on the opposing team actually told the guy to get down on his nees and sit in front of the net.

[Xuan121]

I play doubles on my high school tennis team. My partner really fustrated me because it seem that while I'm playing doubles, he is playing singles.

Since his net game is pretty harshfull to watch ( you feel sorry for how many times he get hit) he stay back because he has deep and penatrating ground strokes. Me on the other hand play more agressive and stay at the net. Against most team, his ground strokes allow me to poach and put the ball away, but against top teams he goes into a total mental melt down, and the result is awful.

[Cypo]

I've been on both sides of this coin - at a tennis camp I drew the trainer as a partner, naturally he NEEDED to win. He told me just get the ball back, and played singles while I blocked the alley. I don't play well enough to do this with my one partner, and we only win against teams that really weak. But, everytime we play, he plays better and better and we harmonize really well, our coverage is excellent and I'm looking forward to a year from now.

[AndyC]

there's only so much u can do to cover up for a weaker partner. u can't do anything if they hit shots at him at the net.. in baseline rallies it's worth trying to poach and cut the ball off.

the only other thing u can do is cover the court well.. anticipate lobs when over his/her head and get them back.

it can be frustrating so I'd suggest getting another partner. generally speaking if u are that much better u shouldn't struggle to find a better partner.

[kevhen]

I will often play with a weaker 3.5 partner against two strong 3.5s. I will often have him play baseline where he is more comfortable but they will redirect most balls to him and away from me. I will move him up tight to net in an effort to be aggressive and shorten the points if things aren't going well just to change strategies but that doesn't always work either. I try to take most balls between us but don't try to do too much either since forcing too much can cause you to make errors. Doubles is meant to be played by equals since usually the weakest player on the court determines the outcome. It takes a very strong player to offset a weak player. 2 4.0's will usually beat a 4.5 and 3.5.