Ideas for structuring adult team practice focused on doubles

A

_AD_

New User
I play on a women's tennis team which is comprised of ex Div 1 and 2 players (some up to 10 years out of proper competitive tennis, others graduated a couple years ago).

We don't currently have a coach overseeing our weekly practice and end up defaulting to warming up and playing points without any structure or goals. This drives me mad as I'm a proponent of adding scenario-based point drills (and actual drills) into the mix in order to troubleshoot weak spots that continually cause us problems and make certain patterns routine and dependable. That's what practice is for, right?! I've proposed some ideas but it would better to be able to refer to a credible programme in existence than try to rally everyone behind my ideas week after week.

Does anyone know of a team practice regime that meets this criteria? I would be very appreciative if it could be sent through... Thanks !
 
J011yroger

J011yroger

Talk Tennis Guru
_AD_ said:
I play on a women's tennis team which is comprised of ex Div 1 and 2 players (some up to 10 years out of proper competitive tennis, others graduated a couple years ago).

We don't currently have a coach overseeing our weekly practice and end up defaulting to warming up and playing points without any structure or goals. This drives me mad as I'm a proponent of adding scenario-based point drills (and actual drills) into the mix in order to troubleshoot weak spots that continually cause us problems and make certain patterns routine and dependable. That's what practice is for, right?! I've proposed some ideas but it would better to be able to refer to a credible programme in existence than try to rally everyone behind my ideas week after week.

Does anyone know of a team practice regime that meets this criteria? I would be very appreciative if it could be sent through... Thanks !
Click to expand...

Guessing women's 5.0?

How many players, how many courts, and do you have a basket of balls to feed?

J
 
Notirouswithag

Notirouswithag

Professional
work on doubles formation drills, with a focus on starting the main point as a goal, or setting limits for point structure.

I.E. for 1 court of 4, have 2 start in 1 up, 1 back formation and feed a high on the run ball wide and then have the 2 on the other side fall in and play it. as soon as the return is hit they have to come to the net and play the point out, no lobs during the point and have to focus on dipping, ripping or going down line/middle
 
J011yroger

J011yroger

Talk Tennis Guru
J011yroger said:
Ok, give me a bit and I'll tell you some of the stuff we do with our mixed teams.

J
Click to expand...

First some sort of warm up mini to light hitting, whatever.

Then start a line maybe one step inside the baseline with the others standing behind. Player comes in and you feed one deep volley that they should hit just behind the service line, one short volley that they should put away, and then lob them. They run back, hit the overhead and then the next person goes.

Next drill is half court. Three defender players on your side lined up behind the service line, one attacker inside the service line on the other side. You feed a sitter volley to the attacker and their job is to kill the ball. The defender has to try to survive and win the point. Every point the defender goes to the back of the line.

Attacker plays 12 points (4 to each defender) then you rotate, so everyone should attack and defend 12 points. Drill is hard as heck and you will stink at it, but it speeds up your hands amazingly in matches.

Next drill two at the net in aggressive position on your side with you feeding from the middle, two at the baseline in return position. You feed a drop shot and the baseline players sprint up and try to pass the net players only half court. The net players try to volley the pass.

J
 
Pickle9

Pickle9

Professional
J011yroger said:
Next drill is half court. Three defender players on your side lined up behind the service line, one attacker inside the service line on the other side. You feed a sitter volley to the attacker and their job is to kill the ball. The defender has to try to survive and win the point. Every point the defender goes to the back of the line.

Attacker plays 12 points (4 to each defender) then you rotate, so everyone should attack and defend 12 points. Drill is hard as heck and you will stink at it, but it speeds up your hands amazingly in matches.
Click to expand...
I'm sure she was trying to kill me and it'd be hard to convince me otherwise.
 
T

TennisCJC

Legend
what area of the country? I live in Atlanta and there are hundreds (thousands?) of coaches who routinely run drills on 2 courts for doubles teams. the trick is to find a coach that is "good". I would suggest that you want to hire a coach and that you or a teammate do NOT want to run the drills. book the coach for x weeks, sum the costs and split it evenly across the team. that might inspire participation.

we have a good coach and he does a variety of 2 up vs 2 back, 2 up vs 1 up 1 back, and "king of the hill" type drills. he does a combo of non-competive drills and some competition drills (first to 4 points) drills. He mixes in some overheads, volleys and ground strokes. he concentrates on movement, placement and occasionally gives technique tips. All in all, the current coach is solid - he was former top 1000 and communicates well. Years ago I joined a team and the coach was a bit of a lemon. ask around and see if you can get a reputable coach. maybe watch them give a lesson or 2 if they teach at a public facility.
 
Notirouswithag

Notirouswithag

Professional
TennisCJC said:
what area of the country? I live in Atlanta and there are hundreds (thousands?) of coaches who routinely run drills on 2 courts for doubles teams. the trick is to find a coach that is "good". I would suggest that you want to hire a coach and that you or a teammate do NOT want to run the drills. book the coach for x weeks, sum the costs and split it evenly across the team. that might inspire participation.

we have a good coach and he does a variety of 2 up vs 2 back, 2 up vs 1 up 1 back, and "king of the hill" type drills. he does a combo of non-competive drills and some competition drills (first to 4 points) drills. He mixes in some overheads, volleys and ground strokes. he concentrates on movement, placement and occasionally gives technique tips. All in all, the current coach is solid - he was former top 1000 and communicates well. Years ago I joined a team and the coach was a bit of a lemon. ask around and see if you can get a reputable coach. maybe watch them give a lesson or 2 if they teach at a public facility.
Click to expand...


This is what I do for my ladies 2.5-3.5 doubles strategy classes and aside from bringing out the competitiveness it really brings out the ladies ambitions to become better and strategically competitive
 
eelhc

eelhc

Hall of Fame
Something is not right... Someone on a team of former Div 1 and 2 players are asking TT for advice on drills? I'm assuming all of these players drilled for years. Maybe they just want to play now?
 
S&V-not_dead_yet

S&V-not_dead_yet

Talk Tennis Guru
eelhc said:
Something is not right... Someone on a team of former Div 1 and 2 players are asking TT for advice on drills? I'm assuming all of these players drilled for years. Maybe they just want to play now?
Click to expand...

The thought had crossed my mind also. I'd be flattered if someone asked me for advice, especially if they played Div I & II and seeing as how I didn't play college.
 
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