Free doubles tips

[sureshs]

From the latest issue of the local USTA chapter's newsletter:

Non-hitting player:

You are usually on the service line or up at the net. Your movement should be constant when the ball is in play. When you are at the net and the ball goes back to your partner on the baseline, move 3 steps back. If your partner hits back crosscourt to the player on the baseline, move forward by 3 steps.

If your partner hits to the net player, stay and defend. If your partner lobs, you retreat from the service line towards the baseline in case the net player hits a strong overhead smash. If you are the baseliner and the ball is hit towards your partner at the net, start the move forward to the net.

If you are constantly moving during a point, the movement is more distracting to your opponent.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Good tips. The non-hitting net player should also be moving left and right. If your partner's shot pulls the baseline player in front of you out wide, then you should move to cover the alley. If that player hits the ball x-court, then move (toward the center net strap) to threaten a poach.

For the most part, the net player follows the ball. When it goes to his/her partner in the back, the player moves back ("following" the ball). If your partner's ball gets past the opposing net player move forward ("following" the ball). Net person also follows the ball left and right as well.

 

[MurrayMyInspiration]

Good quality post!

 

[RetroSpin]

Good stuff. I tend to be lazy about moving back when the ball goes to my partner at the baseline.

 

[ProgressoR]

make sure your shoes squeak loudly as you move too

 

[Rui]

Agreed. Those are sound principles.

The job of the non-hitting partner is to anticipate and adjust. The sooner you can anticipate, the sooner you can adjust your position and the sooner you can influence the point. The better doubles players are very good at identifying how a point should play out 2 or 3 shots ahead. They also know what to do when it doesn't play out due to an unforeseen great/crappy shot (e.g., a new point progression).

Anticipation skills become sharper when you can distinguish an opponent's shot aggressiveness before he hits it. In large part, his aggressiveness will depend on how high off the ground he'll be hitting it.

As an anticipation aid, try going to youtube and playing various doubles points with the intent of observing how the non-hitter moves around and why. Also, watch people play and pay attention to the hitter's contact point height and how it translates into the aggressiveness of the return.

 

[S&V Specialist]

This is what your footwork should look like inside the service box during doubles while your partner is hitting crosscourt. You should also keep your shoulders ahead of your heels so that you are leaning forward when you step to your volley. Also, split-step when your opponent takes his racquet back to hit the ball.

 

[Nostradamus]

Is this tip for the beginners ?

 

[GuyClinch]

Very nice tips. They seem obvious but a lot of new doubles players stand there instead.

I think they should have added something about lateral movement though. I don't know how many steps you are supposed to move but you should shift with the ball to the right and left as well not just back to front.

 

[Topspin Shot]

Very nice tips. They seem obvious but a lot of new doubles players stand there instead.

I think they should have added something about lateral movement though. I don't know how many steps you are supposed to move but you should shift with the ball to the right and left as well not just back to front.

There is no particular number of steps you are supposed to move, but the general footwork for the net player in the one up one back formation is as follows. He should back off the net to around the service line if the ball gets past him and shift toward the T to block the other net player from hammering the ball through the hole. If the ball gets past the other net player, our net man should move forward and on a diagonal, toward the alley if the opposing baseliner is pulled wide and toward the middle if the opposing baseliner is pulled toward the middle. This last situation is the optimal time for a poach. If your partner on the baseline hits a lob that will be smashed, you should back up as much as you can in the time you have but still be ready to defend. Of course, the one up one back formation is suboptimal at the high levels compared to the both up formation. Either get both up as quickly as possible or retreat into both back so the net player isn't a sitting duck.

 

[martini1]

When your partner is trading cc baseline you as the net man should always try to intercept in the middle if possible. even if you can't really catch the ball you will draw the other guy to hit wider than he should to avoid you, creating a possible UE. But be prepared to defend the dtl shot just in case.