Doubles Tips and how to win when playing with Weaker partner

[Fedace]

OK, i am on a new Winning streak, WON 3 matches in a row. And beat up on 2 Formal Division 1 players today, Pretty nice win. but i did play with a good partner. and last 3 matches, i played with solid players that doesn't need my HELP and doesn't need me to play 70 % of the court.

But last Loss i had, i played with Older guy that didn't move well and i really had to cover the net and be active which actually caused me to injure my Foot.
But what do you do if you do have to play with weaker partner ? Lets Admit it, IN DOUBLES, you sometimes have to play with weaker guy, that is just part of life in doubles play. When this happens, a Truely GREAT player will rise to the occasion and carry the day. but what is the best stretegy ??

 

[Tennis Is Magic]

OK, i am on a new Winning streak, WON 3 matches in a row. And beat up on 2 Formal Division 1 players today, Pretty nice win. but i did play with a good partner. and last 3 matches, i played with solid players that doesn't need my HELP and doesn't need me to play 70 % of the court.

But last Loss i had, i played with Older guy that didn't move well and i really had to cover the net and be active which actually caused me to injure my Foot.
But what do you do if you do have to play with weaker partner ? Lets Admit it, IN DOUBLES, you sometimes have to play with weaker guy, that is just part of life in doubles play. When this happens, a Truely GREAT player will rise to the occasion and carry the day. but what is the best stretegy ??

Best strategy is to play hero ball and crush the hopes and dreams of any fool who dares to deny you your glory.

But seriously, it's mental. Do your best and encourage your partner, because the easiest way to lose a doubles match is for one player to get demoralized and stop caring, because if your partner sees you sighing and hanging your head, that surely won't make them feel any better, and vice-versa.

 

[SweetH2O]

Some good responses in this similar thread
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=359818

 

[Fedace]

Best strategy is to play hero ball and crush the hopes and dreams of any fool who dares to deny you your glory.

But seriously, it's mental. Do your best and encourage your partner, because the easiest way to lose a doubles match is for one player to get demoralized and stop caring, because if your partner sees you sighing and hanging your head, that surely won't make them feel any better, and vice-versa.

Agree there. but one thing i noticed was when you try to play better to make up for your partner, it actually makes you change the way you play. Like you know you Can't miss anything so you actually become conservative to play Error free because your partner is making so many errors. this is something i noticed.

 

[Tennis Is Magic]

Agree there. but one thing i noticed was when you try to play better to make up for your partner, it actually makes you change the way you play. Like you know you Can't miss anything so you actually become conservative to play Error free because your partner is making so many errors. this is something i noticed.

Well, if you do that, you'll miss even more. I'd say best strategy is to try and give your partner the best chance to be successful. Pull your opponent off the court with your serve and returns, and give him an open court to volley into. On his serve, poach as much as possible, or possibly coerce the opponent into not returning right to your partner by throwing an I formation every now and again. If you feel like your partner is the weaker link, take away their chances to hit a clean ball at him, and make them come up with something special to get it to where they want it to go, which should end up in a lot more UEs and misplaced shots.

 

[Fedace]

Well, if you do that, you'll miss even more. I'd say best strategy is to try and give your partner the best chance to be successful. Pull your opponent off the court with your serve and returns, and give him an open court to volley into. On his serve, poach as much as possible, or possibly coerce the opponent into not returning right to your partner by throwing an I formation every now and again. If you feel like your partner is the weaker link, take away their chances to hit a clean ball at him, and make them come up with something special to get it to where they want it to go, which should end up in a lot more UEs and misplaced shots.

Understand. I did try to Poach about 2 out 3 balls about 80 % of the time. That is too much. and that is how i ended up hurting my foot.

 

[larry10s]

put your partner right on top of the net so even a framed ball will be a winner
your opponents are going to overplay to him
let himknow that to be ready if he hasnt figured that out
you have to cover the rest of the court
on his serve you have to try to win him points by poaching
if you cant play 2 back on his serve and come to net when feasible

 

[Fedace]

put your partner right on top of the net so even a framed ball will be a winner
your opponents are going to overplay to him
let himknow that to be ready if he hasnt figured that out
you have to cover the rest of the court
on his serve you have to try to win him points by poaching
if you cant play 2 back on his serve and come to net when feasible

Yea, i never liked the idea of 2 back when we are serving but i always found 2 back when returning strong serves to work really well. but Funny thing is as soon as they find out i have great passing shots and lobs, they hit 99% of the volleys to my partner's side.:???:

 

[LuckyR]

OK, i am on a new Winning streak, WON 3 matches in a row. And beat up on 2 Formal Division 1 players today, Pretty nice win. but i did play with a good partner. and last 3 matches, i played with solid players that doesn't need my HELP and doesn't need me to play 70 % of the court.

But last Loss i had, i played with Older guy that didn't move well and i really had to cover the net and be active which actually caused me to injure my Foot.
But what do you do if you do have to play with weaker partner ? Lets Admit it, IN DOUBLES, you sometimes have to play with weaker guy, that is just part of life in doubles play. When this happens, a Truely GREAT player will rise to the occasion and carry the day. but what is the best stretegy ??

Well, do what your previous partners did when they played with a weaker partner... worked for them.

 

[Fedace]

Well, do what your previous partners did when they played with a weaker partner... worked for them.

 

[salsainglesa]

poach, you know they are going to attack the weak side, poach more keep them guessing where you are going... that causes unforced errors.
both back can work...