Net person position when the service returner is pulled out wide?

[Raul_SJ]

My doubles partner hit a fast flat first serve that pulled the returner out wide in the deuce court.

I moved over towards the middle, anticipating a cross-court return that I could then volley into the open court.

But the returner hit a winner down the alley.

What is the best positioning for the net person when the returner is pulled wide?

I am thinking that the down the alley is a difficult shot to hit consistently and I should let the returner have that shot...

 

[johndagolfer]

You absolutely have to cover the line during a wide shot especially on a hard served ball.

Who else is going to cover the down the line shot? Even if they hit it cross court your partner will cover that.

 

[tennis_balla]

Cover your alley. Its tougher going cross court for the returner in that situation if pulled pretty wide. Also, given the angle your server should have no problem covering his cross court shot be it down the middle more or more cross if he manages that.

 

[Ash_Smith]

If your start position is correct (outside foot starting in the centre of the box) then for the wide serve you would move straight ahead, step on the bounce of the serve, split on or around the contact - this allows you to cover the line but still poach across when possible. If your partner hit a t-serve you would still step on the bounce, but move across towards the centre line as you move forwards.

Cheers

 

[5263]

A big key here is to face the ball. Regardless of how you choose to position yourself,
you can move better to cover if you square up on the return.
Most players when crossing in this situation, will actually turn slightly away from
the return, which will virtually ensure you can't cover the alley slightly behind them.

 

[LeeD]

You have to remember the track record of the returner's returns. If he can hit a sharp CC ball every time, and hasn't proved he can hit DTL, you are correct.
If he hasn't proven anything to your team, then you have to stay in place, ready to cover the DTL, and worry less about the CC poach, unless it's a slow moving high ball.
DTL returns off wide serves are not easy, but certainly not much harder than a short angle CC low return.
Be ready to cover out to the middle of your alley. Anything better, tip your hat to them.

 

[rk_sports]

If your start position is correct (outside foot starting in the centre of the box) then for the wide serve you would move straight ahead, step on the bounce of the serve, split on or around the contact - this allows you to cover the line but still poach across when possible. If your partner hit a t-serve you would still step on the bounce, but move across towards the centre line as you move forwards.

Cheers

Can you pls elaborate on this? thnx

 

[LeeD]

I'm sure Ash knows better, and might answer....
Netperson, alley side foot should be in the center of his service box, so he cheats slightly towards the center.
That is usually true when playing net WITH a strong server. With a weak server, better to center yourself in the center of your service box.
The rest is prep and get ready procedure.

 

[Ash_Smith]

Can you pls elaborate on this? thnx

Yep, Lee pretty much had it though! As the servers partner you will ideally start with your outside foot (the foot nearest the outside of the court [so if you're in the ad-side box your left foot]) in the centre of the box as you take your ready position. Too many players stand too close initially and too near the tramline. Too close prevents you from moving to the appropriate place depending on the serve direction and too near the tram basically makes your partner play cross court singles and you are little use to him/her!

See below for basic movement patterns...

Hope that all makes sense?

Cheers

 

[Fearsome Forehand]

My doubles partner hit a fast flat first serve that pulled the returner out wide in the deuce court.

I moved over towards the middle, anticipating a cross-court return that I could then volley into the open court.

But the returner hit a winner down the alley.

What is the best positioning for the net person when the returner is pulled wide?

I am thinking that the down the alley is a difficult shot to hit consistently and I should let the returner have that shot...

Seems more true of a second serve. If your partner has a good fast flat serve, it is less likely that the returner will get around on it in time to hit it cross court. More likely, he will be late and hit it down the line (maybe without even trying to go there.) As stated above, your primary responsibility is to guard the line so if you are going to cross, your partner has to switch so there is not a huge gaping hole.

 

[LeeD]

If you poach unannounced, no way can the server cover YOUR alley. If you poach announced, it's extremely hard for the server to hit a good serve and still cover YOUR alley.

 

[LuckyR]

Yep, Lee pretty much had it though! As the servers partner you will ideally start with your outside foot (the foot nearest the outside of the court [so if you're in the ad-side box your left foot]) in the centre of the box as you take your ready position. Too many players stand too close initially and too near the tramline. Too close prevents you from moving to the appropriate place depending on the serve direction and too near the tram basically makes your partner play cross court singles and you are little use to him/her!

See below for basic movement patterns...

Hope that all makes sense?

Cheers

These charts work for some folks, but around here, "pulled wide" in doubles means the ball is likely struck outside of the doubles sideline (since the server classically stands wider). Hence the diagrams would be worthless.

My netman better be moving to his left aggressively since the returner might be able to hit the corner of the court around the post. I (the server) will be lining up to cover the severe CC return and we will be giving up the center of the court (which is why T serves are better in doubles).

At lower levels the server should cover the center and give up the severe CC.

 

[Ash_Smith]

My netman better be moving to his left aggressively since the returner might be able to hit the corner of the court around the post.

If the serve is sending the ball that wide at most levels it won't come back at all and if the returner can do that consistently then they deserve to win!

 

[Nellie]

You should take one or two steps toward the alley (not stand in the alley) if your partner serves wide. You are not trying to stop the opponent from making a return. Instead, you are positioning yourself in the middle of the possible return angles - from down the line to extreme cross court. By being in the center, you are taking away the easiest return and forcing the opponent to take the high risk shot. If your opponent makes a crazy hard shot, then you congratulate them but have the comfort of knowing that percentages are in your favor.