Doubles strategy and positioning

[bank5]

The vast majority of my matches are singles which I prefer, but I found a group of doubles players that I've enjoyed hitting with as well. However, I've never been coached and am not sure about my positioning and strategy (this for mostly 3.5, some 4.0 players). I usually just rely on being somewhat quick, general feel and assessing my opponents. But I'm sure being in better positions and learning more strategy will elevate my game.

Any tips or videos worth sharing?

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

The vast majority of my matches are singles which I prefer, but I found a group of doubles players that I've enjoyed hitting with as well. However, I've never been coached and am not sure about my positioning and strategy (this for mostly 3.5, some 4.0 players). I usually just rely on being somewhat quick, general feel and assessing my opponents. But I'm sure being in better positions and learning more strategy will elevate my game.

Any tips or videos worth sharing?

Here's a nice starting point [some people consider Ian long-winded, so viewer beware]:

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

Control the middle of the court, have a good overhead, place serves well.

 

[ptuanminh]

Dont be afraid to move around at the net, look for opportunities to volley. Make sure you learn something every time you missed an easy shot.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Starting positions:

Alternate positioning
(for T serves)

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Note that many intermediate net players start waaay too close to the net. That makes it very easy to lob over their head & it makes their partner's job more difficult.

Notice that the RP starts further off the net than the SP. One reason is so that they can make back service line calls for the incoming serve. However, the primary reason is because their initial threat is the SP. If they see that their partner's return get past the SP, then the RP can move to the middle (more or less) of the service box. In this scenario, the SP will now back off a bit since the RP is now their next (first) threat.

Besides moving forward & back, the net player should also move left & right -- as dictated by the direction / placement of the ball. For instance, if S puts their serve out wide then SP should move a bit toward the alley so that they will not be passed by R up the alley. If S hits a T-serve instead, it will be more difficult for R to pass up the alley. And, it will also make it easier for SP to poach a x-court return by R.

 

[saiclone]

Before the ball is in play, go into your ready position - wide base, weight mainly on the front of your feet. Split step everytime the ball is hit.

Don't turn your body to see what your partner is doing with the ball. If you have to, turn your head, but you can usually tell everything your need to know by watching the body language of your opponents (plus, they can't sneak up in your blind spot!)

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Before the ball is in play, go into your ready position - wide base, weight mainly on the front of your feet. Split step everytime the ball is hit.

Don't turn your body to see what your partner is doing with the ball. If you have to, turn your head, but you can usually tell everything your need to know by watching the body language of your opponents (plus, they can't sneak up in your blind spot!)

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

Except for the serve of course, it is a good idea for both partners to SS whenever the opponent hits the ball. When a player is about to hit the ball, the opposing net person does not yet know if they will have a play on the ball -- so they should normally execute a SS (unless they decide to poach as the opposing player has started their forward swing; they would move to poach rather than execute a SS).

I agree that the net person should not watch their partner hitting the ball. However, it is a good idea for them to turn to watch the ball bounce, especially if the bounce is close to the sideline or baseline. Sometimes their partner is so focused on tracking the ball & establishing their contact point, it might be difficult to for them to see the exact balance point -- especially if the ball bounces very close to them. If sufficiently close to the bounce point, the ball (and bounce) might be "invisible" to that player so the net player be better able to make the line call..

Also, in watching where the ball is bouncing, the net player should be able to see their partner with their peripheral vision & get a good sense of whether the partner will get into a good position to hit an aggressive or decent shot. Or if it appears that they are scrambling and may need to hit a more defensive shot. With this info, they can manage their own position and expectations. But, as indicated before, the net person should not watch their partner actually swinging at the ball.

 

[saiclone]

Except for the serve of course, it is a good idea for both partners to SS whenever the opponent hits the ball. When a player is about to hit the ball, the opposing net person does not yet know if they will have a play on the ball -- so they should normally execute a SS (unless they decide to poach as the opposing player has started their forward swing).

I agree that the net person should not watch their partner hitting the ball. However, it is a good idea for them to turn to watch the ball bounce, especially if the bounce is close to the sideline or baseline. Sometimes their partner is so focused on tracking the ball & establishing their contact point, it might be difficult to for them to see the exact balance point -- especially if the ball bounces very close to them.

Also, in watching where the ball is bouncing, the net player should be able to see their partner in their peripheral vision & get a good sense of whether the partner will get into good position to hit a decent shot. Or if it appears that they are scrambling and may need to hit more defensive shot. With this info, they can manage their own position and expectations. But, as indicated before, the that person should not watch their partner actually swinging at the ball.

Very true. Thanks for adding the nuance - always important to know how well set/balanced your partner is as they are going to make the stroke

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

 

[Steady Eddy]

After playing doubles a couple of times, I felt I needed a lesson on doubles. What surprised me most was that he said I should follow my serve to the net, not 98% of the time, but 100% of the time.

It's very hard to pass two at the net, so you need to get there first, or your opponents will take it. Whoever controls the net has a big advantage. Well, if they are weak volleyers, then they don't, but do it anyway in order to improve your volley. Doubles tennis is a VERY different game from singles tennis. Most people who can play both, like doubles more. In double you hit winning volleys and crush overheads almost every point. Singles is about long, dull, rallies that don't end until someone makes and error. Snooze.

 

[bank5]

Thanks for the tips. Good stuff!

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

In double you hit winning volleys and crush overheads almost every point. Singles is about long, dull, rallies that don't end until someone makes and error. Snooze.

If you can S&V in doubles, why not in singles too?

 

[Steady Eddy]

If you can S&V in doubles, why not in singles too?

Really? Because it is so much easier to pass one person at the net than two. The math is 36/1 vs. 45/2. The net is a little wider in doubles, but not nearly twice as wide.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Really? Because it is so much easier to pass one person at the net than two. The math is 36/1 vs. 45/2. The net is a little wider in doubles, but not nearly twice as wide.

If that was the only consideration, no one would ever S&V or ever would have in the past eras.

But there are more factors to consider: how good is my serve vs how good is his return? Can I pressure him into going for more than he wants to? Can I establish my volley and OH to the point where his strokes start breaking down?

It's a lot more complicated than calculating area coverage.

[edit: you only looked at one side of the coin. While it is indeed easier to pass me in singles, it's also easier for me to put a volley away.]

 

[Steady Eddy]

If that was the only consideration, no one would ever S&V or ever would have in the past eras.

But there are more factors to consider: how good is my serve vs how good is his return? Can I pressure him into going for more than he wants to? Can I establish my volley and OH to the point where his strokes start breaking down?

It's a lot more complicated than calculating area coverage.

[edit: you only looked at one side of the coin. While it is indeed easier to pass me in singles, it's also easier for me to put a volley away.]

My instructor told me that you should always follow your serve to the net in doubles. I watched college teams, sure enough, they always followed their serve to the net. Bill Tilden mentions that in the 1920's the serving team took the net, and the receiving team stayed back. Sure you are correct in that if the returner is just eating up your serve you might switch to staying back, but at higher levels most players have a decent serve and can volley, and half volley, so it's pretty common to see the serving team take control of the net.

I agree with instructors that say the best way is both up, second best is both back, the worst way is one-up, one-back.

 

[Cashman]

S&V in singles is a great strategy. Most of the disadvantages that have led to it becoming extinct at higher levels don’t really apply to recreational tennis.

If you get good at S&V you will beat a lot of players with superior tennis skill purely due to the rareness factor.

 

[travlerajm]

S&V in singles is a great strategy. Most of the disadvantages that have led to it becoming extinct at higher levels don’t really apply to recreational tennis.

If you get good at S&V you will beat a lot of players with superior tennis skill purely due to the rareness factor.

I think it would still be a fine strategy at the pro level. If someone with serve talent, height, and athleticism like Kevin Anderson had learned to be a serve-and-volleyer as a junior, he might have had a better pro career. Even moreso for someone like Raonic who experimented with it as a pro with good success, but too late for him to be learning on the job.

 

[fuzz nation]

I think it would still be a fine strategy at the pro level. If someone with serve talent, height, and athleticism like Kevin Anderson had learned to be a serve-and-volleyer as a junior, he might have had a better pro career. Even moreso for someone like Raonic who experimented with it as a pro with good success, but too late for him to be learning on the job.

Not an unreasonable statement - I absolutely wish that so many of these touring pros would learn a more complete skill set early on and put it to work in their matches.

Maybe it is too late for Raonic, but maybe not. I have to say that I was ready to throw Andy Roddick on the historical trash heap of one hit wonders (or maybe one big trophy wonders) when he kept plodding along through his career doing more of the same with nothing more than his big serve and forehand.

But then he went back to the drawing board and took on Larry Stefanki as his coach. His game took on some new dimension and he learned how to effectively attack the net instead of just hitting a ball toward a corner, charging forward, and hoping for the best. That difference was on full display when he took Federer to a 16-14 fifth set in the finals at Wimbledon in (I think) '09 - and I hope I have that fifth set score right. I believe that he played at a level there that he wasn't capable of only a couple years earlier. That match changed my opinion of Roddick forever.

Yaddah-yaddah. Just saying that it's rare for us to see tour players evolve to a new place in the middle of their careers, but every so often it can happen. As one-dimensional as so much of the WTA has become, I'd get really excited if somebody like Aggie Radwanska suddenly showed up to coach a rising young slugger.

 

[fuzz nation]

The vast majority of my matches are singles which I prefer, but I found a group of doubles players that I've enjoyed hitting with as well. However, I've never been coached and am not sure about my positioning and strategy (this for mostly 3.5, some 4.0 players). I usually just rely on being somewhat quick, general feel and assessing my opponents. But I'm sure being in better positions and learning more strategy will elevate my game.

Any tips or videos worth sharing?

One of the most helpful thoughts for doubles is the idea of keeping the ball low. In singles competition, we often try to keep the ball deep in the opponent's end. Lots of topspin and net clearance help with consistency while rallying from the baseline and a lot of the shot placement is about going cross-court or down the line.

But that extra net clearance that can be helpful in a singles baseline rally is a big liability in doubles when opponents at the net want poach across the middle and gobble up those rally balls that are up around shoulder or head height. Keep your shots down low where the other guys can't drive the ball, improve your positioning - this typically means taking over the net, force your opponents to hit up, and put the ball away when you see a reasonable opening.

Short-to-short and deep-to-deep. This means that when you're at the baseline, hit to the opponent at the far baseline (deep-to-deep) and not at the player at the net. If you're at the net, don't try to volley through an opponent at the far baseline. Either pop the ball toward an opening or zip it down into the feet of the opponent closest to you (short-to-short).

Our pals already pointed out the idea of positioning effectively with your opponent so that the two of you can be a sort of two-person wall. Try to be either together at the net or together at the baseline and not one-up-one-back. Also move together to the left and right so that you maintain a gap of about 8-10 feet between you. Communication with your partner is key for covering the court as a unit.

Singles players sometimes like to pound their first serves... a lot. I coach high school teams and those boys LOVE to wail on their first serves, but they also waste far too many of them and give their opponents a look at too many softer second serves. Fast serves in doubles can also be a liability when smart returners simply punch their returns right back at the server's feet and maybe leave that server stuck back on the baseline as they move forward.

Be aware of the effectiveness of your serves and consider your spin serve as a higher priority when playing doubles. If it takes a funky bounce like many spin serves do, that will force some weaker returns. But that slower flying serve will also give you time to get an extra step or two toward the net when you're following your serve forward. Your spin serves will probably also land at a much higher percentage than your heaters.

Lobbing... If you lob, send the ball deep - back near the far baseline. If you're playing outdoors, don't lob with the wind on your back - it will fly long too often. Much easier to lob effectively with a breeze in your face where you can send it deep and still keep it in. When your lob makes an opponent to turn and scramble after the ball, don't stand at your baseline and watch them run. MOVE IN and get ready to clean up!!!

Reaction volleys are a must for playing more effective doubles. Don't expect to get much better with hitting them by only playing some doubles. Get a lesson or recruit a hitting pal to help you out. With you hitting pal set up across the net from you at the "T" with a bucket of balls, have your pal pop balls at you at rather high frequency, but no more than moderate pace. Pop-pop-pop. When you get used to hitting a volley and immediately recovering to handle the next one over and over, you'll be a lot more comfortable and capable at the net when the heat turns up in your matches. A couple sessions of those reaction volleys can make a really big difference.

 

[Hit 'em clean]

I was primarily a singles player most of my life and played doubles... well only if I couldn't find a singles match. I play mostly doubles these days and I've had to learn a lot.

1) Always cover the middle... if you're at net and your partner is serving or trading ground strokes cross court... learn to squeeze the middle. You have to force yourself to move towards the middle of the court because it won't feel natural and you'll feel like you're giving up a bunch of court up the line. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how many balls you'll get to volley away easily.
2) Get as many first serves in as possible and as many returns in play as possible. Gotta make the other guys play.
3) Always try to make your opponents play balls from below the level of the net. It doesn't matter how hard or soft you hit the ball... if they have to hit or volley up over the net... that means you'll have an easier volley. Get it at their feet as much as possible.
4) If you get a volley it doesn't have to be a winner. Many times it's the second or third one you get... just like trading ground strokes... you have to get back in play and wait for the one you can be aggressive on. Which takes me back to #3... make them play from below the net.
5) Almost all your returns should go crosscourt. Up the line is fun and looks cool, but is so high risk... return up the line should rarely be used to keep a active poacher honest. Even if they poach... angle more crosscourt if you can as you'll get them more out of position and it's the higher percentage play... gotta make them play.

Finally practice volleys and overheads so you have a proficiency that gives you confidence to do all of the above.

 

[saiclone]

One of the most helpful thoughts for doubles is the idea of keeping the ball low. In singles competition, we often try to keep the ball deep in the opponent's end. Lots of topspin and net clearance help with consistency while rallying from the baseline and a lot of the shot placement is about going cross-court or down the line.

But that extra net clearance that can be helpful in a singles baseline rally is a big liability in doubles when opponents at the net want poach across the middle and gobble up those rally balls that are up around shoulder or head height. Keep your shots down low where the other guys can't drive the ball, improve your positioning - this typically means taking over the net, force your opponents to hit up, and put the ball away when you see a reasonable opening.

Short-to-short and deep-to-deep. This means that when you're at the baseline, hit to the opponent at the far baseline (deep-to-deep) and not at the player at the net. If you're at the net, don't try to volley through an opponent at the far baseline. Either pop the ball toward an opening or zip it down into the feet of the opponent closest to you (short-to-short).

Our pals already pointed out the idea of positioning effectively with your opponent so that the two of you can be a sort of two-person wall. Try to be either together at the net or together at the baseline and not one-up-one-back. Also move together to the left and right so that you maintain a gap of about 8-10 feet between you. Communication with your partner is key for covering the court as a unit.

Singles players sometimes like to pound their first serves... a lot. I coach high school teams and those boys LOVE to wail on their first serves, but they also waste far too many of them and give their opponents a look at too many softer second serves. Fast serves in doubles can also be a liability when smart returners simply punch their returns right back at the server's feet and maybe leave that server stuck back on the baseline as they move forward.

Be aware of the effectiveness of your serves and consider your spin serve as a higher priority when playing doubles. If it takes a funky bounce like many spin serves do, that will force some weaker returns. But that slower flying serve will also give you time to get an extra step or two toward the net when you're following your serve forward. Your spin serves will probably also land at a much higher percentage than your heaters.

Lobbing... If you lob, send the ball deep - back near the far baseline. If you're playing outdoors, don't lob with the wind on your back - it will fly long too often. Much easier to lob effectively with a breeze in your face where you can send it deep and still keep it in. When your lob makes an opponent to turn and scramble after the ball, don't stand at your baseline and watch them run. MOVE IN and get ready to clean up!!!

Reaction volleys are a must for playing more effective doubles. Don't expect to get much better with hitting them by only playing some doubles. Get a lesson or recruit a hitting pal to help you out. With you hitting pal set up across the net from you at the "T" with a bucket of balls, have your pal pop balls at you at rather high frequency, but no more than moderate pace. Pop-pop-pop. When you get used to hitting a volley and immediately recovering to handle the next one over and over, you'll be a lot more comfortable and capable at the net when the heat turns up in your matches. A couple sessions of those reaction volleys can make a really big difference.

To add to this. Defend together, and attack together.

If your partner is moving up, and you can see he's in a good position for a forcing play, move up too.

If your partner is the one turning and scrambling for a volley, don't watch like it has nothing to do with you . Get into a defensive position to handle the results of the desperate play.

If you wait till after a phase of play is complete to adjust your position, it's often too late.

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

 

[1stVolley]

The vast majority of my matches are singles which I prefer, but I found a group of doubles players that I've enjoyed hitting with as well. However, I've never been coached and am not sure about my positioning and strategy (this for mostly 3.5, some 4.0 players). I usually just rely on being somewhat quick, general feel and assessing my opponents. But I'm sure being in better positions and learning more strategy will elevate my game.

Any tips or videos worth sharing?

Without a doubt the best resource I've found on doubles is "The Art of Doubles" by Pat Blaskower. I'm a long time doubles player and I've found this book to be dead right about most doubles issues and it's wonderfully written and illustrated to boot. The division of players into certain roles and clear rules for positioning and tactics are the highlight of the book. Her use of staggered position at the net helps reduce the success of the "down the middle" attack when your team takes to the net and her rules for court positioning are simple, effective and easily implemented.

 

[1stVolley]

One thing to remember, which can actually save your life, is NEVER, NEVER backpedal to take an overhead. If you do and do so flatfooted you can fall over backward and hit your head on the court. One of my doubles buddies did just that. He died a week later in ICU never having regained consciousness. Of course all instruction on the overhead emphasizes first turning sideways and then positioning under the ball in that orientation. But many club players don't do this and it puts their wellbeing in jeopardy.

Backpedaling is, however, necessary, when you are at the net and have to switch between the offensive net position and the defensive position (which is around the service line). There isn't enough time to turn sideways to make this move, so when you do backpedal be sure to do it on the balls of your feet and not flatfooted. This gives you a bit of a safety margin if you happen to stop suddenly. You can then rock back somewhat without losing balance but if you do this flatfooted any sudden stop can topple you backward.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

One thing to remember, which can actually save your life, is NEVER, NEVER backpedal to take an overhead...

Backpedaling is, however, necessary, when you are at the net and have to switch between the offensive net position and the defensive position (which is around the service line). There isn't enough time to turn sideways to make this move, so when you do backpedal be sure to do it on the balls of your feet and not flatfooted.

Sorry to hear about your tennis buddy. Quite a while back I was playing with an intermediate player who did the same thing. He backed up with his weight on his heels and fell backward. Fortunately, it was a relatively minor injury and he was back on the court in 3 weeks.

After that incident, I made a point to teach my students how to move back properly. One of these backward movement options is a backpedal. I have them on the balls of their feet, slightly leaning forward, as they quickly moved backward. We periodically drill this movement so that it becomes a habit. Even if they rarely use it, hopefully, they never move backward on their heels again.

 

[hochiglenn]

Without a doubt the best resource I've found on doubles is "The Art of Doubles" by Pat Blaskower. I'm a long time doubles player and I've found this book to be dead right about most doubles issues and it's wonderfully written and illustrated to boot. The division of players into certain roles and clear rules for positioning and tactics are the highlight of the book. Her use of staggered position at the net helps reduce the success of the "down the middle" attack when your team takes to the net and her rules for court positioning are simple, effective and easily implemented.

Agreed. Since I’ve read that book my understanding of doubles play has has skyrocketed. It’s all about covering the higher percentage plays. According to Blaskower, you can never cover 100% of the court. You just need to worry about 80%. I use her strategies even if my partner doesn’t and we stay in the match. Highly recommend to read. I come back to it all the time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

S&V in singles is a great strategy. Most of the disadvantages that have led to it becoming extinct at higher levels don’t really apply to recreational tennis.

That's the argument I keep making. My opponent may have the racquet and strings of a pro but he doesn't have the passing shot ability of a pro [and neither do I have a pro serve or volley]. So it comes down to how balanced each skill set is.

If you get good at S&V you will beat a lot of players with superior tennis skill purely due to the rareness factor.

One of my favorite opponent comments [win or lose]: "I could never find my rhythm...no one Ss&Vs anymore."

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Agreed. Since I’ve read that book my understanding of doubles play has has skyrocketed. It’s all about covering the higher percentage plays. According to Blaskower, you can never cover 100% of the court. You just need to worry about 80%. I use her strategies even if my partner doesn’t and we stay in the match. Highly recommend to read. I come back to it all the time.

Beginners to doubles have a hard time accepting that they can't cover everything. They're accustomed to doing it in singles so why not in doubles?? If they get past this mistake, they become a more formidable team.

 

[Steady Eddy]

S&V in singles is a great strategy. Most of the disadvantages that have led to it becoming extinct at higher levels don’t really apply to recreational tennis.

If you get good at S&V you will beat a lot of players with superior tennis skill purely due to the rareness factor.

I'm comfortable with the volley. But is it necessary to have a powerful serve?

 

[travlerajm]

I'm comfortable with the volley. But is it necessary to have a powerful serve?

Depends how good your volley is.

 

[Cashman]

I'm comfortable with the volley. But is it necessary to have a powerful serve?

A powerful serve is less useful than an accurate spin serve that you can easily vary the placement of. Good footwork is also essential, on transitions and also as a way of ensuring you have a reliable overhead.

Then it mostly becomes a matter of tactics and mentality. Strokes are less important than smart approaches. The ability to react with nonchalance to being repeatedly passed is essential. You have to trust the maths - watch Edberg, Cash and Rafter and see how many times they got passed. They still came out on top most of the time.

In many ways the volley is the easy bit. If you’re executing S&V well, you shouldn’t have to hit very many difficult volleys.

 

[Steady Eddy]

One of my favorite opponent comments [win or lose]: "I could never find my rhythm...no one Ss&Vs anymore."

Ha ha. That reminds me of the book Levels of the Game. Opponents complained that in playing a match against Clark Graebner they didn't "get enough tennis".

S&V can keep an opponent from finding his rhythm.

 

[Dartagnan64]

The vast majority of my matches are singles which I prefer, but I found a group of doubles players that I've enjoyed hitting with as well. However, I've never been coached and am not sure about my positioning and strategy (this for mostly 3.5, some 4.0 players). I usually just rely on being somewhat quick, general feel and assessing my opponents. But I'm sure being in better positions and learning more strategy will elevate my game.

Any tips or videos worth sharing?

As others have said: "The art of doubles" is the book to read. Especially the parts about positioning and roles.

I'd also say that having a good idea of your strengths and weaknesses also determines how you should play. If you have a baseline weapon, then you can stay in 1 up and 1 back and use your weapon to hit winners down the middle and DTL. If your groundstrokes are average and your volleys are sound, then getting to the net becomes a priority. "Know thyself."

Finally, try to interact with your partner and tell him what you are going to do. Communication is key.

 

[Steady Eddy]

A powerful serve is less useful than an accurate spin serve that you can easily vary the placement of. Good footwork is also essential, on transitions and also as a way of ensuring you have a reliable overhead.

Then it mostly becomes a matter of tactics and mentality. Strokes are less important than smart approaches. The ability to react with nonchalance to being repeatedly passed is essential. You have to trust the maths - watch Edberg, Cash and Rafter and see how many times they got passed. They still came out on top most of the time.

In many ways the volley is the easy bit. If you’re executing S&V well, you shouldn’t have to hit very many difficult volleys.

You're right about the footwork. Saturday I went off to doubles without any breakfast. My first game serving I held at love. Soon the heat got to me. I'd come in but just stand there. I wondered why all the returns came at my feet. Well, they weren't any different, it's just that I was standing there flat footed.

The lesson: keep moving your feet, and eat something before you go to tennis, (also, some cold water on hand might help).

 

[1stVolley]

Sorry to hear about your tennis buddy. Quite a while back I was playing with an intermediate player who did the same thing. He backed up with his weight on his heels and fell backward. Fortunately, it was a relatively minor injury and he was back on the court in 3 weeks.

After that incident, I made a point to teach my students how to move back properly. One of these backward movement options is a backpedal. I have them on the balls of their feet, slightly leaning forward, as they quickly moved backward. We periodically drill this movement so that it becomes a habit. Even if they rarely use it, hopefully, they never move backward on their heels again.

Glad to here you've incorporated this in your teaching! I wish more coaches did the same.

 

[Steady Eddy]

Glad to here you've incorporated this in your teaching! I wish more coaches did the same.

One in our group hurt his head doing this. He texted a pic of the injury. Looks bad.

I almost did the same thing last week. All of a sudden I remember scrambling to stay upright. Maybe I should wear a helmet?

 

[Dragy]

One in our group hurt his head doing this. He texted a pic of the injury. Looks bad.

I almost did the same thing last week. All of a sudden I remember scrambling to stay upright. Maybe I should wear a helmet?

Those into martial arts, gymnastics and some other sports get teaching on how to fall with safety. No matter how preventive you are against risky movements, there’s a chance you fall, and no matter how you are aware of not falling back, there’s a chance you fall. It’s quite smart to learn (and practice) safe fall techniques.
Something like this: tucking your chin, slapping hands sideways, etc.

 

[1stVolley]

Those into martial arts, gymnastics and some other sports get teaching on how to fall with safety. No matter how preventive you are against risky movements, there’s a chance you fall, and no matter how you are aware of not falling back, there’s a chance you fall. It’s quite smart to learn (and practice) safe fall techniques.
Something like this: tucking your chin, slapping hands sideways, etc.

Certainly there are some things you can do to more safely recover from some falls. Recently, I took a dive going for a low, skidding ball to my backhand. I was able to roll and this probably saved my shoulder from serious damage. However, falling over backward is a dicey maneuver to deal with. Similar to your video, for example, you could try to twist as you feel yourself tumbling backward and land sideways. But this is difficult to do because the toppling motion will have a lot of energy because (1) you are likely moving quickly backward and (2) your hands, esp. your racquet hand may be elevated which further raises your center of gravity and (3) your dominant hand is holding a racquet which makes it more difficult to use in the slapping motion recommended in the video. Your head weighs about as much as a bowling ball and it is the furtherest part of your body from the ground which is the main reason toppling backward has so much force.

If you're going to do the extensive practice necessary to make the video's technique automatic, I think you would be better off using that time to make that turn to the side completely automatic in preparing for the overhead.

 

[Dragy]

If you're going to do the extensive practice necessary to make the video's technique automatic, I think you would be better off using that time to make that turn to the side completely automatic in preparing for the overhead.

If you want to solve the single problem of avoiding backpedaling in tennis when facing a lob, you are right. But those falling safety skills are highly recommended to acquire, especially for those involved in sports activities, trekking, etc.

 

[Dartagnan64]

If you want to solve the single problem of avoiding backpedaling in tennis when facing a lob, you are right. But those falling safety skills are highly recommended to acquire, especially for those involved in sports activities, trekking, etc.

Hard to practice if you don't have a soft surface like a sponge mat to fall on. Basic advice to all people is tuck your chin and don't stick your arm out. I've hit the hospital edge snowboarding enough to have that ingrained.

I think the best advice I learned on lobs was get your left arm up as soon as the lob goes up. Tends to get you started sideways and discourages the backpedal.

 

[travlerajm]

Those into martial arts, gymnastics and some other sports get teaching on how to fall with safety. No matter how preventive you are against risky movements, there’s a chance you fall, and no matter how you are aware of not falling back, there’s a chance you fall. It’s quite smart to learn (and practice) safe fall techniques.
Something like this: tucking your chin, slapping hands sideways, etc.

I broke my wrist once in high school when, after reaching over the net to collect a ball, got my foot caught in a loop of a hole in the bottom of the net and fell backward when I tried to back away from the net. Navicular fracture. I learned to never put your hand behind you to catch your fall if you fall backwards. Better to get your butt down, tuck your chin, and roll backwards to stop your momentum. The wrist is not designed to absorb shock at that angle.