What are the worst mistakes in doubles in your opinion?

[TheBoom]

Don't get mad at your partner, encourage them. I've seen when I Gert mad at my partner or vice versa both of us start playing worse, you gotta keep your cool go back to the basics.

Don't poach every time or you will start getting burned down the line

[LuckyR]

If by "worst", the OP means: results in the most lost winable points, then the answer is clear: violating the deep to deep, short to short, rule.

[Alchemy-Z]

Standard ones stated.

But Positioning is a big one... I see so many teams play 2 players back (On their Serve) I had one partner do this as well and I nearly had to walk him up to the net before I served.

You give every angle away in that position.


Net guys never poaching. at least take a step or two to the middle and get in the returners head that he is going to have to pass you...not just standing there waiting for the point to start.

Hitting Chip shots...this is doubles the net guy is licking his lips when he see's you chip shot...anyone with even a little speed will track it down for a put away volley.

[beernutz]

Originally Posted by TheBoom

Don't get mad at your partner, encourage them. I've seen when I Gert mad at my partner or vice versa both of us start playing worse, you gotta keep your cool go back to the basics.

Don't poach every time or you will start getting burned down the line

This is rarely a problem I see. What I see a lot more of are net players who act as if their feet are made of concrete or as if their feet were actually embedded in the court. Not only do they not poach, they don't even fake poach so the returner doesn't even have to consider that a poach is an option they'll have to deal with.

IMO the server's partner should be poaching or fake poaching on every first serve and on a high percentage of second serves. You've got to get into the receiver's head and if you mix it up not only will the quality of their returns go down but they'll even cough up the occasional unforced return error which is just gravy.

[Cindysphinx]

Execution errors aren't the worst mistakes in doubles. Even the best players in the world can miss.

What is unforgivable are the positioning/tactical errors. You don't need Mad Racket Skillz to position correctly. You just have to pay attention. Worst Mistakes include:

Failing to switch when a ball goes over your head, and then crouching down in I formation in front of your partner instead.

Expecting a ball to go long and failing to set up to hit it in case it drops in.

Hitting an awesome lob over the net player that touches off a mad scramble but failing to take the net.

Failing to cross when your partner poaches and instead just standing there watching.

Failing to cross on a planned poach and just standing there watching.

Failing to come to net when your partner is lining up an overhead.

[Raul_SJ]

Fixated on covering the alley while your partner is serving.

Not realizing that its a tough shot for the returner and not realizing how many putaways you are missing out on because you don't shift towards the middle.