Pretty much. Unless both players have 0 experience in USTA, the 4.5 should at least be able to advise the 3.5 woman that she will be a target. Some of the good 8.0 teams here do play 3.5 women, but in terms of their net presence, they are not 3.5's at all. I've cranked multiple balls in a row at some of these 3.5 women (who play 8.0 mixed) and they manage to get them back. The avg. 3.5 adult league woman put in the same situation would have gotten beaned (probably) or flinched and not been able to make a play. I remember one match where I cranked 3 backhands in a row at the net woman from half way between the baseline and service box and she managed to volley the first two back, but framed the 3rd into the net. That's not normal for a regular 3.5 woman, haha.
Aiming at the body, Who's right, who's wrong?
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Pretty much. Unless both players have 0 experience in USTA, the 4.5 should at least be able to advise the 3.5 woman that she will be a target. Some of the good 8.0 teams here do play 3.5 women, but in terms of their net presence, they are not 3.5's at all. I've cranked multiple balls in a row at some of these 3.5 women (who play 8.0 mixed) and they manage to get them back. The avg. 3.5 adult league woman put in the same situation would have gotten beaned (probably) or flinched and not been able to make a play. I remember one match where I cranked 3 backhands in a row at the net woman from half way between the baseline and service box and she managed to volley the first two back, but framed the 3rd into the net. That's not normal for a regular 3.5 woman, haha.
move back. played a doubles match yesterday and i got creamed at the net on my partners serve. he has an ok serve but our opponents kept crushing the ball directly at me which i could not control. i tried to move to service line but still it had too much pace for my tired eyes. so on my partners serve i stood at baseline and moved in after the serve. Cant fault my opponents, cant fault my partner ( i know what his limitations are). gotta change play when conditions dictate.
I was playing in a 4.5 USTA match a couple weeks ago, and returning serve with a match point at 12-11 in a match tb, the server hit a slow first serve to my forehand. I thought this was my chance, so I stepped into the court and drilled the return as hard as I could at the net guy's left hip. God damn if he didn't hit a gorgeous stab drop volley winner. LOL.
I had one earlier in the match, too. My partner put up a short lob while I was at net. I only retreated to maybe a step behind the service line and hit a reflex volley winner off the overhead that was coming right at me. It's all just part of the game at 4.5.
Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
I think it gets more effective at higher levels. Watching men's doubles at the Indian Wells Parabas and invariably any sitter or short ball was crushed at the net person (usually right at their feet).
I also agree that if you are going to stand crowding the net with a weak serving partner, you better be prepared to take your medicine. I'll feel a bit sorry when I nail you in the chest, but it won't change the tactic. As Lendl once said, "I didn't invite them to the net."
BeyondTheTape
Semi-Pro
I have to admit tagging my 5.0 opponent twice in a state match, both times in mid section as he saw it coming, turned to the side but could not get out of the way. My partner and I won 7-5, 7-6 and both tags were on huge points in the match. The first during the break of serve to win the first set and the second tag during the second set tiebreak. Neither shot was an intentional tag rather an errant shot off my racquet. Errant as in... rushing the mechanics, poor footwork and missing my target. My target being the court, not him. His partner hit up a lob to me that I took from the service line while he was cross court from me behind the base line. And I hit him in the mid section behind the baseline, clearly an out ball and poor overhead from me.
And this guy was furious! So furious about the tag he destroyed his racquet after he got hit. Boom. Slam. goodbye Babolat. I then looked over at my partner who had the deer in the headlights look going on. The "oh **** I cant believe you just did that" look.
The second tag was on a cross court volley I hit, he didn't break a racquet that time, maybe didn't have many remaining. But my partner gave me a sly grin holding back a smile.
This guy was a notorious hot head and a healthy self-esteem so i was okay with the result. He left with a couple sore marks, a loss and one less racquet.
And this guy was furious! So furious about the tag he destroyed his racquet after he got hit. Boom. Slam. goodbye Babolat. I then looked over at my partner who had the deer in the headlights look going on. The "oh **** I cant believe you just did that" look.
The second tag was on a cross court volley I hit, he didn't break a racquet that time, maybe didn't have many remaining. But my partner gave me a sly grin holding back a smile.
This guy was a notorious hot head and a healthy self-esteem so i was okay with the result. He left with a couple sore marks, a loss and one less racquet.
Traffic
Hall of Fame
So if I see my opponent at the service line, and then his eyes go up, I'm already thinking of backing up, as soon as I see his hands and racquet go up, I'm preparing to defend myself against an overhead. If I can figure that out at 3.0 doubles, then he has absolutely no excuse at a state match. If it was a mishit, then it's obvious the intent to hit someone wasn't even part of the equation. Definitely sounds like a hot head.
In my Flights last night, I think I took a shot towards the net person at least once each set. They are covering my highest percentage ground stroke, so if it's a nice sitter, I'll wind up and let 'er fly. Half the time, if they can get their racquet up, they are so close to the net, it might just bounce back at me. But on one occasion, the net opponent decided to pivot away and let the ball fly. And so it did until the topspin brought it back down and in. To me, I'm not trying to hit the net person, but he's there to put away my floaters so he can be there when I crush my ground stroke.
I can only say this, I've actually won three matches due to defaults from groin shots in my career, one from a head shot on an overhead when he charged the net to try and distract me and gave him a grade 2 concussion, and had to default one myself for a groin shot to myself, and I hold no animosity towards the opponent. It's part of the game. If your hands aren't quick enough, stay away from the net. In 5.0, you don't want to hit right at him anyway unless you want to lose the point. The only time it is not acceptable is in mixed doubles unless you are playing districts or higher.
PDJ
G.O.A.T.
My current doubles partner played seniors at Roland Garros (he's older than me, and kinda out of shape, but still an amazing player), so I know the ball is coming straight at me early on! I also know that if I volley the ball back the first few times then they're more hesitant to do it. Do I like the ball rifled at me? No. Do I understand why? Yes.
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