I agree with Bungalo Bill that Art of Doubles is an excellent book. However, I find in my experience that few 3.5 players play this type of doubles, which I call "real doubles." Probably because it takes more fitness to serve and volley frequently, if not always, and probably because some of these skill sets are just not emphasized enough in intermediate level adult clinics. Reading this stuff and executing are two very different things. I also like Pat Doughtry's DVD with Nick Bollettieri regarding need to communicate. I generally play singles because I like to run, but have this year joined a newly formed 3.5 USTA team, and we're losing each of our matches badly, and I'm losing in the #3 doubles slot, playing with different partners each time. Bill, while I agree with your list of important things that comprise recommended doubles practice, I ask you and others the following:
I have yet to be in an adult tennis clinic where these three shots are emphasized over and over and over, for club doubles play: Serve, Return of Serve, and first volley. Instead, the adult clinics I'm familiar with work on other strokes, such as FH and BH groundies, volleys, approach shots, movement on the court.
In my limited experience playing USTA 3.5 doubles this year at the advanced age of 58, on a team where each match we are assigned a different partner, I don't have someone I can count on to drill with. In fact, most players I know don't drill, they may spar, but they don't drill. Life gets in the way of that. Too bad, because I now have time in my life and an inclination to do such practicing. I firmly believe in putting in the effort, but I can't find anyone to do drills with, and I'm reluctant to start burning a hole in my wallet and employing a pro. Clinics, as I said, don't emphasize these three very essential parts to the doubles game.
But if I could,
1. I would drill so that all my serves emphasize depth and placement, to the righty's backhand (I happen to be a lefty). I would throw in the so-called sonic serve as well as the various spin serves. Hit constantly to the righty's backhand and you give your net partner the chance to poach and win the point.
2. I would have someone serve at me from their service line, and I would stand just inside my baseline, and I would be able to get better training and practice on the return of serve, especially getting used to Mr. Big Server. In my limited experience in USTA play (didn't I just say that?), I find that many a player gets bumped up in USTA doubles because they've mastered Big Serve, playing on hardcourts. It's a terrific offensive weapon, and it can totally thwart the defensive return of serve unless you develop return skills. Unless you are used to and can anticipate Big Serve, it might take well into the second set of a doubles match for you to get a hang of Big Serve (by that time, the match is being lost big time). But no clinic drill I have ever seen or participated in has ever worked on developing quickness on the return of serve against Big Serve, so that as returner, you accomplish your main job: get the ball back in play, preferably x-court and away from the opposing netman. No clinic has someone standing so close so you can develop monster timing habits. (Pat Doughtry likes this drill).
Third, if I could, I would have someone with sufficient skill return my serves towards my feet as I was rushing towards the net, so that I could get a lot of practice in sprinting forward, split step, and practice getting rock solid volley skills to handle the return of serve before it bounced. Over and over again. I know of no local clinic which emphasizes this. A mishit on the first volley, and you're probably going to lose the point. It's a tough shot without sufficient practice. Continuous mishits, and you're going to stop s&volleying altogether that day (your partner may demand it of you).
Bill, do I have this right...please advise, I value your opinions over the years...that these 3 strokes/situations just aren't drilled enough in the adult level clinics, yet are fundamental in winning a doubles match? Yes, I'm having a poor season playing 3.5 doubles, and yes, other than practicing keeping volleys in the air against the backboard in the local public park, I'm at a loss on what to do about getting these 3 skill sets "rock solid", given that no adults have the time or inclination to want to do these kinds of drills. Your thoughts?
58 Feelin' Great
formerly 55 Feelin' Alive
