Mix Doubles Strategy

[TrojanTennis]

I just recently started playing mix doubles 3.5 level for the first time and struggled playing it. We played reasonably well but lost 6-4 in a practice set. In this game, the two males are close to a 4.0 level. My partner was 3.5 female, and the opposing female was close to 4.0.

What do you do when your female partner serves a soft serve first or second serve and the opposing male players hits an easy down the line winner every single time? Do I stand near the alley all the time to protect it? Poaching would be impossible if I have to guard the alley all the time. Sometimes the ball never comes to me and I feel helpless watching as my partner gets peppered by the ball.

What have you found to help during these situations? How can you win in mixed doubles?

Thanks for the comments.

 

[user92626]

There's no way to get away from "stepping up" to cover for your weak partner. Sometimes this works and more often it doesn't. You don't suddenly become better when stretching yourself. More like getting worse.

But some general planning might work. For example, assign a small portion of the court for her to cover. Ask her to only do the repeatitive things that she does best so it'll be more predictable for you to do your part. In the end winning usually goes to the team with more consistency and less UEs.

 

[TheBoom]

I had this problem. unfortuantely it cant really be mended, you will give up a lot of points simply because you cant cover the entire court. I found that mixing up where you go after the soft serve helps a lot. Poach once in a while, other times stay close to the alley. Also stand in a little more, if you can hit decent a reflex volley it is better than letting your partner feel like crap for missing a ball and it doesnt allow the other team to get to the net. But like i said you will give up a lot of points but the more you work at it the better you will do

 

[Rui]

First thing, take away any easy winners by covering your alley.

Your partner will get "peppered." No way around it. Tell her to lob the other woman. If it's good, the guy will have to retreat to get it. If short, well, you may still be able to return it.

 

[OttoMatic]

Is she serving wide all the time? Have her go down the middle more, and remove hit ability to hit DTL winners on serve.