Doubles tips from the Bryans

[sureshs]

The latest issue of USTA tennis magazine has an interview with the Bryans where they give the following tips:

1. Move together. Imagine a 7 foot rope connecting the partners. If one is pulled wide, other moves into the center.

2. Elect to serve if you win the toss. First to serve can be deciding factor in doubles.

3. Shoot for a 75% first serve percentage by taking speed off. Two reasons given for reduction in speed: a) to increase percentage and thus chances of the netman putting away an easy volley b) to gain more time to come to the net.

4. Netman's mission is to put away the return so as not to make the server play the first volley.

5. From the baseline, return to the weaker net player. At the net, hit to the weaker baseline player.

6. Communication signals: server indicates body, wide or down the middle serve. Netman indicates not going to poach, will poach, or will fake a poach.

7. Body serve is the most effective in doubles - cuts off the angles specially the up the alley return on a wide serve.

8. Return 1 in 4 balls to the netman or alley to prevent him from getting into a poaching groove.

9. Against big servers, play the both back position.

10. Use the I formation as needed.

 

[matchpoint]

Very good info thanks, sureshs where in San Diego do you play?

 

[sureshs]

Very good info thanks, sureshs where in San Diego do you play?

I play mostly in Mira Mesa and Rancho Penasquitos. Where are you located?

 

[matchpoint]

I play mostly in Mira Mesa and Rancho Penasquitos. Where are you located?

Hmmmn, we should know each other, I play in the same places you mentioned. I used to play at the MMHS but they closed that, I also played at Mt Carmel in Penasquitos but that is a while back. I currently play at Miramar College and I belong to the Mira Mesa Tennis Club.

Where in Mira Mesa and Rancho Penasquitos do you play?

 

[sureshs]

Hmmmn, we should know each other, I play in the same places you mentioned. I used to play at the MMHS but they closed that, I also played at Mt Carmel in Penasquitos but that is a while back. I currently play at Miramar College and I belong to the Mira Mesa Tennis Club.

Where in Mira Mesa and Rancho Penasquitos do you play?

Private courts in my complex. Close to I15 at Mira Mesa blvd.

And at Rancho Penasquitos Tennis Center (rptctennis.com)

Once a month at Rancho Valencia resort thru the San Diego Tennis Network.

Send me email at ss_46@hotmail.com and let us hook up.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

1. Move together. Imagine a 7 foot rope connecting the partners. If one is pulled wide, other moves into the center.

The key to this is understanding what this means. When your partner mirrors his opponent who is being pulled wide, you need to move to position yourself to cover the middle.

When your partner is being pulled wide you need to move to cover the middle with him.

It is not enough to just know that you need to move as a team, it is important to know the role shift and what you are suppose to be doing as you move to a different position.

 

[Roforot]

4. Netman's mission is to put away the return so as not to make the server play the first volley.

.

I could use some tips or suggestions about this?

Typically I will plan a poach and tell my partner before he serves. Otherwise I'm not good about moving unless the return is a duck. Sometimes I'll even fake a poach and move "early." I love it when they hit it to me

But in a usual spontaneous play, there are some shots that I could reach but I'm too reluctant to leave my alley. Any ideas?

 

[sureshs]

But in a usual spontaneous play, there are some shots that I could reach but I'm too reluctant to leave my alley. Any ideas?

It depends a lot on fitness level. In another article, the Bryans have said that they do specific exercises for one particular leg muscle group (I don't remember which) which is used to leave the ground and "take off" in an instant.

On a different note, in this interview, they actually listed how they signal the communication with their hands and fingers and then said "now you know our secrets". I suspect they scrambled them up.

 

[sureshs]

It is not enough to just know that you need to move as a team, it is important to know the role shift and what you are suppose to be doing as you move to a different position.

The "what you are supposed to be doing" part was not covered in the interview. Probably their tips were formatted to a limited number of lines for each for readability.

But what a difference from club players! These guys have made it into a science.

One interesting comment was: "In our minds, the first serve is more important in doubles than in singles".

 

[Bungalo Bill]

The "what you are supposed to be doing" part was not covered in the interview. Probably their tips were formatted to a limited number of lines for each for readability.

But what a difference from club players! These guys have made it into a science.

One interesting comment was: "In our minds, the first serve is more important in doubles than in singles".

Most of the tips are covered in good doubles books. For instance, the art of doubles covers who takes the middle ball and expands on the subject of the meaning of moving together.

But yes, they do make doubles more insteresting then "waiting" to hit the ball.