Doubles Question: Getting trapped getting to the net

[vcat]

Need a little advice on some doubles technique. I'm a very good 4.0 player who's been dabbling in playing 4.5 lately. For doubles when I'm serving, I normally serve and follow it in to net. At 4.0 this works great, I usually get a weak enough return back that I can volley and stay on the offensive or end the point. At 4.5...not so much, I've been getting trapped on my way in with solid returns that usually come in fast and are dropping/bouncing at my toes. This has been giving me trouble because I'm either missing the low volley or hitting a weak one back.

I figure my options are a) stay back longer and wait to come in only when I know I'm going to get a weaker ball. b) practice practice and more practice on shoe string volleys. c) focus entirely on improving the serve or d) come in, but not as quickly/forcefully (maybe split step a bit earlier)

Or maybe you have advice that I'm not thinking of....

Thanks for the help!

 

[GetBetterer]

There's nothing wrong with serve and volleying in doubles. However, fast, powerful serves are nothing without placement. You need to set up your opponent in a position in which he or she struggles to hit a good return. Perhaps a body shot slightly aimed to their backhand (my personal favorite).

You could work on volleys, maybe you're not used to reflex volleys, but think about the opponent at the net.

There's always the option of staying back. One-up, one-back isn't a horrible plan and your team mate could do the volleying (called poaching in doubles) which is efficient as well. Perhaps this is one key thing you're missing and your career in singles has created a fear that your team mate doesn't have good volleys or something.

 

[LeeD]

Of course, you need to work on serve power, placement, consistency, low volley technique, half volleys, good split step and anticipation, a good overhead, all those things.
But one important thing....you gotta embrace the idea of hitting low and half volleys, making them OFFENSIVE, not just digging them back. Low volleys, you lower yourself to hit the ball hard and barely clearing the net, for a deep, forceful volley deep into the open court.
Half volleys, embrace the idea this is FUN, is easy, and it separates you from your peers. You bend low, use forward body momentum, hit harder and deeper than you think necessary, go for it, and it will almost always go IN.
Serve, hit to backhand or into the body. Once they return those, mix in some high kickers and some low slicers, move it around, probe for weaknesses.
Every returner has a huge hole in their return strokes, you gotta find it.

 

[larry10s]

my 2 cents
im like you a 4.0 who gets to play against alot of 4.5
first of all i hope you realize how lucky you are.
when i realize their return is better thasn my serve
i focus on the timing of my split step and come in alittle more slowly
trying to take the return as an approach shot rather than fighting off a shoesting half volley

 

[LeeD]

Me, I'd rather hit the half volley from the service line as an approach, then move in further to 2' inside the service line.
If I wait to see a weak reply, my approach would be hit from NML, or behind my service line, almost NML, for a much longer sprint up into net position.
Also, after my serve, I place my opponent where I want him. On one of his weak shots, HE chooses where to place himself, where I have to react and think about where I should approach and where I should position myself to cut off his angles.
I'd rather do the planning for my attack, rather than respond to his challenge.

 

[Off The Wall]

Need a little advice on some doubles technique. I'm a very good 4.0 player who's been dabbling in playing 4.5 lately. For doubles when I'm serving, I normally serve and follow it in to net. At 4.0 this works great, I usually get a weak enough return back that I can volley and stay on the offensive or end the point. At 4.5...not so much, I've been getting trapped on my way in with solid returns that usually come in fast and are dropping/bouncing at my toes. This has been giving me trouble because I'm either missing the low volley or hitting a weak one back.

I figure my options are a) stay back longer and wait to come in only when I know I'm going to get a weaker ball. b) practice practice and more practice on shoe string volleys. c) focus entirely on improving the serve or d) come in, but not as quickly/forcefully (maybe split step a bit earlier)

Or maybe you have advice that I'm not thinking of....

Thanks for the help!

Practice those low shots and improve your serve. What you are describing will be happening more and more to you as you get better and play better people.

Staying back only allows the returner to get to the net before you do. Unless your strokes are about twice as good as returner's volley, you'll be on the defensive.

Delaying your approach is risky. What if the returner returns deep? Or, if it's short, you'll still have to play a half-volly or take it on the rise and then get the ball down to a charging player. Tough to do.

 

[nomie]

Essential tennis just released a "free" video that addresses exactly what you are struggling with. They show that most people split step too late when serve and volleying. They also show some ways of practicing the "no mans land" game. Might be worth a watch for you.

 

[vcat]

Thanks for all the advice, I appreciate it! I'll be focusing on getting more adept at making low volleys a stronger shot as well as improving the serve. I really didn't want to stay back. I have my work cut out for me! Anyone know any good drills for practicing the low volley? I realize now I really don't practice that shot much...

Thanks again!

 

[LeeD]

First hit the wall and work on half and low volleys with volley grip.
Then play or practice, approaching to around the service line to get low volleys.

 

[LuckyR]

Need a little advice on some doubles technique. I'm a very good 4.0 player who's been dabbling in playing 4.5 lately. For doubles when I'm serving, I normally serve and follow it in to net. At 4.0 this works great, I usually get a weak enough return back that I can volley and stay on the offensive or end the point. At 4.5...not so much, I've been getting trapped on my way in with solid returns that usually come in fast and are dropping/bouncing at my toes. This has been giving me trouble because I'm either missing the low volley or hitting a weak one back.

I figure my options are a) stay back longer and wait to come in only when I know I'm going to get a weaker ball. b) practice practice and more practice on shoe string volleys. c) focus entirely on improving the serve or d) come in, but not as quickly/forcefully (maybe split step a bit earlier)

Or maybe you have advice that I'm not thinking of....

Thanks for the help!

I agree w/ Lee's advice, but would also consider that you sound like you are hitting flat serves which yield the weak returns at 4.0 and are getting drives hit at you at 4.5

If so, I would change to a spin serve to S&V off of. It would be uncommon for your 4.0 serve to have enough pace to blast 4.5s off of the court so go the other way (since you are getting drive returns off of your best serve anyway) and hit a slower serve so you are in a better position to return the drive service returns.

 

[LeeD]

LuckyR gives excellent advice, but be sure to hit your spin serve OUT of your opponent's strikezone. You can go wide, you can go high, you can slice it really skidded low, but don't hit into his strikezone or the ball will come back before you reach the service line.