Only recently started playing competitive doubles this past summer (USTA 3.0) and I've learned a lot since starting. However, I'm making a lot of errors lunging for volleys when I'm at the net. Obviously a lot of it is my own technical problems, but is my strategy incorrect? I'm not getting passed frequently down the line at all - it's mostly an error on the lunging volley itself, or the volley doesn't win the point outright and then I'm losing the next ball over the net because I'm pulled too far into the opposite side of the court.
Am I being too aggressive at the net in doubles?
- Thread starter Brandwun
- Start date
off the top of my head...
* is the serve strong? is it going to the weaker wing? is it generally challenging the returner? if it's not, its easier for returner to dip it, drive it hard, etc...
* on contact, are you split stepping (or are you generally hopping on your toes - watch bryan bros)? if i were to bet, this is your problem
* interesting that you're mentioning getting passed down the line at all... to me, if i'm not getting passed at least once per game, i'm not being aggressive enough
* are you really watching the racquet of the opponent?
* when you do make a move, are you committing, or waiting to see where it goes first, then move
* what kind of ball is the opponent receiving where you're going... if at the feet of opponent, that's agreen light for me... i'm more cautious if it's in the fh strizezone of the opponent
what's your strat?
i never expect to win the point on a volley... like from the baseline, it's a boa constrictor of pressure where i'm maneuvering my opponents out of balance with each shot... occasionally i'll hit a winner, but not due to amazing shot making, but because i maneuvered my opoonent so out of position/balance that a "rally" volley becomes a winner.
in general, i don't think you can be too aggressive at net (eg. moving, poaching, attacking the middle), but you can be too aggressive with your shot selection/overhitting/etc...
* is the serve strong? is it going to the weaker wing? is it generally challenging the returner? if it's not, its easier for returner to dip it, drive it hard, etc...
* on contact, are you split stepping (or are you generally hopping on your toes - watch bryan bros)? if i were to bet, this is your problem
* interesting that you're mentioning getting passed down the line at all... to me, if i'm not getting passed at least once per game, i'm not being aggressive enough
* are you really watching the racquet of the opponent?
* when you do make a move, are you committing, or waiting to see where it goes first, then move
* what kind of ball is the opponent receiving where you're going... if at the feet of opponent, that's agreen light for me... i'm more cautious if it's in the fh strizezone of the opponent
what's your strat?
i never expect to win the point on a volley... like from the baseline, it's a boa constrictor of pressure where i'm maneuvering my opponents out of balance with each shot... occasionally i'll hit a winner, but not due to amazing shot making, but because i maneuvered my opoonent so out of position/balance that a "rally" volley becomes a winner.
in general, i don't think you can be too aggressive at net (eg. moving, poaching, attacking the middle), but you can be too aggressive with your shot selection/overhitting/etc...
Humbi_HTX
Semi-Pro
Incorrect is a hard word to use, if we look at it from the "did you win the point?" it was not the right thing to do obviously, but when playing doubles I encourage my partner that IF there is a ball they feel he/she can attack then he/she should go for it, wether its at the net or in between the 2 of us down the middle, and if the execution is flawed then it is still ok!
I know you are playing competitively, but still a pretty low level tennis, I would not take it to hart loosing a match because my partner missed shots at the net, and at 3.0 both players benefit from practicing rather that shying away from shots.
I like to play consecutive wide shots that make the oponent at the baseline move outside to make him return a shot that is poachable and I expect my partner at the net to go for it even if he/she misses.
I know you are playing competitively, but still a pretty low level tennis, I would not take it to hart loosing a match because my partner missed shots at the net, and at 3.0 both players benefit from practicing rather that shying away from shots.
I like to play consecutive wide shots that make the oponent at the baseline move outside to make him return a shot that is poachable and I expect my partner at the net to go for it even if he/she misses.
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
There is no substitute for experience to knowing whether you are being aggressive enough. If it feels like you are losing too many points a certain way, try making an adjustment and see if you win more.
If you are consistently missing, you are playing a shot that is above your ability level and you should be more conservative with your volley or leave the ball for your partner to deal with. If you want to try more ambitious volleys, do some volley drills to improve and then use them in a match.
at 3.0, i'm more inclined to advise being overly aggressive... 99% of 3.0 are doubles alley guarders
of course you need an understanding partner who sees the long term goal... don't bother doing this with a "stay on yours side" kind of guy (which is most 3.0-3.5's )Thanks for the feedback everyone. Generally speaking, I'm getting more adapt on when to poach (opponent looks uncomfortable) which is why I think I'm not getting passed up the line often. I think the points about short term vs long term goals is a good one. I'll communicate with my partner about long term strategy vs how it's actually working out in the current match. The flubbed, stretched volleys stand out in the mind, but I don't think my partner (or myself for that matter) are correctly counting the total net points won for being aggressive.
RyanRF
Professional
Yea I agree with this. Aggressive is good. Consistently making errors is bad. Find the balance.
jered
Rookie
I don't play doubles as much as singles but I'm also fairly aggressive when I do. What helps me is letting my partner know that I'll move to poach but if it's a stretch (and shank risk) I may choose to not hit it, so back me up. I also let them know they can tell me to be less aggressive in which case I still move aggressively as a fake but I only actually poach easier ones. Knowing I can bail on a poach attempt and my partner will be there helps me make better decisions. I still flub my fair share but much less often.
Hit 'em clean
Semi-Pro
As others have said, aggressive is good, but not overly aggressive. So what's overaggressive... committing to the other side of the court to cover a ball while knowing that you may or may not reach it. it's especially bad if your partner is trying to serve and volley and doesn't know you're going... they can't cover the half of the court you just vacated. Unless you know your partner can't get it, you should try to poach (volley a ball that is not directed at you/your side) only if you are pretty sure you can get to it and have reasonable confidence you can make a good play on the ball.
If you are in a good position to cover the ball (not struggling to reach it or late) then you need to make a good volley. A 'good volley' doesn't need to be a winner or hard shot, but it should put your team at an advantage ( go to the open court, at the net player, at their feet, etc.). If your volleys tend to be weak and pop up in the air that's not good. Don't want to be leaving sitters or easy put aways for the other team... then you're not helping things. If you can manage to volley low at their feet or keep the ball lower than the net (below their waist) in general than they always have hit up to get it over the net... which means you are likely to have an easy put away. If I can't put the volley away I try to at least keep the ball low at my opponents feet at net... it's really hard to make a winning volley close to the net when you have to up over it from close range.
So only volley or cut-off a ball if you're in a good position to hit a good shot back. If you are in a good position, but you volleys are sitters for the other team... work on your volleys... focus on getting volleys low. The goal of poaching isn't just to get it... you need to be able to do something good with it... else there really isn't a point to doing so.
If you are in a good position to cover the ball (not struggling to reach it or late) then you need to make a good volley. A 'good volley' doesn't need to be a winner or hard shot, but it should put your team at an advantage ( go to the open court, at the net player, at their feet, etc.). If your volleys tend to be weak and pop up in the air that's not good. Don't want to be leaving sitters or easy put aways for the other team... then you're not helping things. If you can manage to volley low at their feet or keep the ball lower than the net (below their waist) in general than they always have hit up to get it over the net... which means you are likely to have an easy put away. If I can't put the volley away I try to at least keep the ball low at my opponents feet at net... it's really hard to make a winning volley close to the net when you have to up over it from close range.
So only volley or cut-off a ball if you're in a good position to hit a good shot back. If you are in a good position, but you volleys are sitters for the other team... work on your volleys... focus on getting volleys low. The goal of poaching isn't just to get it... you need to be able to do something good with it... else there really isn't a point to doing so.
Bagumbawalla
G.O.A.T.
"Obviously a lot of it is my own technical pproblems"
This is where I would start- by smoothing over those technical elements that, passive or agressive, will result in errors.
Work out some volley drills with your partner and practice until you reduce errors to an acceptable number.
Stand back of the net strap and have the partner hit balls to your forehand- some close- others just out of reach- still others that make you move.
Then do the same with the backhand- lastly, mix it up to the left and right, and it wouldn't hurt to throw in a couple lobs.
Now that you feel more confident moving at the net and striking the ball cleanly- you can be more agressive with fewer errors.
This is where I would start- by smoothing over those technical elements that, passive or agressive, will result in errors.
Work out some volley drills with your partner and practice until you reduce errors to an acceptable number.
Stand back of the net strap and have the partner hit balls to your forehand- some close- others just out of reach- still others that make you move.
Then do the same with the backhand- lastly, mix it up to the left and right, and it wouldn't hurt to throw in a couple lobs.
Now that you feel more confident moving at the net and striking the ball cleanly- you can be more agressive with fewer errors.
Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
Need to look at timing of your poach if you are having to lunge as well as where you are setting up.
If you are lunging for volleys and not getting passed DTL, you are likely leaving too late or lining up too close to the doubles alley.
Look at net positioning as trying to set up the return where you want it to go. If you want it to go CC then hang out closer to the doubles lane. If you want it DTL then crouch closer to the net strap. Once you've set up the illusion of open space to the opponent then you have to go cover that space. But ideally you wait until they've dropped their gaze to look at the contact point.
If your partner has a slower serve then you can usually add fakes and the like to confuse the returner. If your partner hits hard first serves, then you may not have time to do more than set up and then go. But ideally you are never still at the net. Make your opponents work for their returns. I usually have opponents lobbing their returns by the second set. Then I'm hanging back at the service line waiting on a crap lob to overhead.
If you are lunging for volleys and not getting passed DTL, you are likely leaving too late or lining up too close to the doubles alley.
Look at net positioning as trying to set up the return where you want it to go. If you want it to go CC then hang out closer to the doubles lane. If you want it DTL then crouch closer to the net strap. Once you've set up the illusion of open space to the opponent then you have to go cover that space. But ideally you wait until they've dropped their gaze to look at the contact point.
If your partner has a slower serve then you can usually add fakes and the like to confuse the returner. If your partner hits hard first serves, then you may not have time to do more than set up and then go. But ideally you are never still at the net. Make your opponents work for their returns. I usually have opponents lobbing their returns by the second set. Then I'm hanging back at the service line waiting on a crap lob to overhead.
I haven't read all the replies, but if you aren't getting passed dtl, then you could try positioning closer to the centre, or taking off on the poach earlier. Also, coordinating an all out cross with your partner and/or playing tandem or the I formation can help you to get your racquet on the ball more comfortably. I work on poaching, by hitting an angled feed against the wall. I work on the hitting all the relevant targets, having overrun the poach as well, which simulates leaving early.
tennis tom
Legend
Are u winning the matches? If u r winning then keep doing what you're doing--no style points in tennis. If you're losing matches u gonna' have to change things--like learn to volley. Don't poach unless you're ahead on the score and can angle the ball away for a sure point. If you poach and don't put it away for a winner u r leaving the court open, your partner better be Usain Bolt to recover.
ichaseballs
Professional
if you're lunging for a lot of balls at 3.0, probably means you are not positioning yourself correctly. and/or choosing the wrong balls to poach
the usta videos are short and pretty helpful
this one is a bit more detailed and will touch on some of the things others have mentioned above
the usta videos are short and pretty helpful
this one is a bit more detailed and will touch on some of the things others have mentioned above
No problem with being aggressive at the net. Your opponent will be under pressure constantly, more likely to miss.
Don't lunge unless its for showoff or you are absolutely sure its gonna be a winner.
Get ready early, watch the player who's going to play the ball, split step.
Don't lunge unless its for showoff or you are absolutely sure its gonna be a winner.
Get ready early, watch the player who's going to play the ball, split step.
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