Partner yells "YOU!"

[Desperate Tennis Wife]

Today I played doubles with a lady who yelled "YOU!" when the ball was clearly coming at me or if she was passed at the net. Sometimes it would be coming low down the middle and she would yell "YOU!" I found all this yelling of "YOU" distracting and annoying. It kind of felt like if she yelled "YOU" and I missed it then I was responsible. I think "YOU" or "YOURS" should only be yelled if the ball is on my side of the court and is coming over my head and I know can't get it and I know my partner is behind me, that let's my partner know I can't get it. Sometime I yell "I GOT IT!" when it looks like it is coming over my partners head and I want them to switch.

When do you yell "YOU!" or "YOURS" or "I GOT IT!"? Or do you yell something else?

 

[raiden031]

I yell "you" alot when I think a shot could be retrieved by either me or my partner (or I know its going over my head) and I would rather he get it then either we collide or have neither of us get it. I guess I am annoying to my partners as well!

 

[blakesq]

I only yell "yours" when the ball could be taken by me, but I think my partner has a better shot at it, usually its when I am at net and the ball goes over my head and my partner is still back. If your partner was yelling it too often, tell her that it distracts you and to only yell it if it is her shot, and she wants you to get it. Of course you two need to communicate, so try to say it so she doesnt get mad or her feelings hurt.

Today I played doubles with a lady who yelled "YOU!" when the ball was clearly coming at me or if she was passed at the net. Sometimes it would be coming low down the middle and she would yell "YOU!" I found all this yelling of "YOU" distracting and annoying. It kind of felt like if she yelled "YOU" and I missed it then I was responsible. I think "YOU" or "YOURS" should only be yelled if the ball is on my side of the court and is coming over my head and I know can't get it and I know my partner is behind me, that let's my partner know I can't get it. Sometime I yell "I GOT IT!" when it looks like it is coming over my partners head and I want them to switch.

When do you yell "YOU!" or "YOURS" or "I GOT IT!"? Or do you yell something else?

 

[fe6250]

Try yelling 'Theirs' as the ball crosses the net to your opponents. She might get the message ;-)

 

[JesseT]

Today I played doubles with a lady who yelled "YOU!" when the ball was clearly coming at me or if she was passed at the net. Sometimes it would be coming low down the middle and she would yell "YOU!" I found all this yelling of "YOU" distracting and annoying. It kind of felt like if she yelled "YOU" and I missed it then I was responsible. I think "YOU" or "YOURS" should only be yelled if the ball is on my side of the court and is coming over my head and I know can't get it and I know my partner is behind me, that let's my partner know I can't get it. Sometime I yell "I GOT IT!" when it looks like it is coming over my partners head and I want them to switch.

When do you yell "YOU!" or "YOURS" or "I GOT IT!"? Or do you yell something else?

When my partners ask me, I take a page from baseball. Everything you yell should reference *only* yourself and be one word.

To take a shot, yell "MINE". Upon hearing "mine", a partner can do the easier thing and back off and start watching the netman.

If you can't get the ball (eg lob) yell "HELP". "I can't get it" takes too long to say.

If you're crossing court and plan to stay, yell "SWITCH". Again, faster than saying "I'm staying; you need to move over"

And I leave it at that.

Keep it simple.

 

[raiden031]

When my partners ask me, I take a page from baseball. Everything you yell should reference *only* yourself and be one word.

To take a shot, yell "MINE". Upon hearing "mine", a partner can do the easier thing and back off and start watching the netman.

What if me and my partner are side by side and the ball goes between us, but my partner has the better shot, if I call "mine", then we are lowering our chances of hitting a good shot. If I say "help", my partner might be confused. I think "you" is the right word in that scenario because I want the person in better position to hit the shot.

 

[rasajadad]

Usually, the only time I yell "you" or "yours" is when there is a ball that I should be getting, but can't OR when I think it's marginal and I feel they have a better angle or position. If it's obvious, the only thing I'm doing is distracting my partner.

 

[JRstriker12]

I call "yours" only if my partner has a better look at the ball and I don't have a shot at getting it.

 

[10sjunkie]

When I have grossly missed a shot, I look at my partner and yell, "Yours!". Fortunately, he has a good sense of humor!

 

[Cindysphinx]

Oh, Desperate. You're not talking about me, are you?

I am the Queen of You. I say "YOU!!!" all the time. It is awful. It annoys the crap out of people, I can tell. I am working hard on stopping. The bigger the point, the greater the pressure, the more "You!"s you will hear out of me.

Allow me to explain.

Back when I started playing 2.5 tennis, I and everyone I knew at my level was mute during points. As I improved and played more doubles, I realized the benefits of communicating during points. I started saying "Got it" and "You" some.

The thing that really got me yelling "You" a lot was when I started playing the net more aggressively. When I am at net, I am thinking one thing: That's my ball. I try to be as ready as I would be if I were playing solo. I try to see the ball as mine the way I would see it if this were a two-against-one exercise in a drill class.

In my mind, all balls my opponents hit are mine. That is my Default Setting at the net.

When I can't reach one, I say something. I could say what I'm thinking, "AAAH! I was really hoping to get that one, but I can't reach! Partner, I need help!!" Instead, it comes out as "You!!!" Even if the ball is hit to my partner's alley, there was something about the rally that had me thinking, however briefly, that I might be able to get it.

As I said, I am working on this, and I am getting better. If a ball is up the middle, I am trying to shout "MINE!" as it leaves my opponent's racket and then own the ball. But I will still say "You!" if there is any question.

Between you, me and the wall, I think it helps my partners some, even if it annoys them. I tend to be all over the place at the net, and I think it causes some partners to hesitate because they are not used to this. A "You!" -- even for an obvious ball -- causes no harm and perhaps inspires my partner to know that I will not be getting in their way.

This time.

 

[Cindysphinx]

Oh, and Desperate?

You will hear differing opinions about who calls a switch when a ball goes over a player's head.

My own opinion is that the player who is being lobbed must instantly decide whether she will or will not play an overhead. If she can overhead it, she says "Mine." If not, she tells her partner to get it, with "Switch," "Help" or "You." That is my opinion.

I have had people react badly to "You" in these lob situations, because if they are too slow to run down the lob, they feel like I have made an accusation. I do not use "Help" because I think that word should best be reserved for drowning victims. "Switch" is good, of course, provided you actually switch and get the sam hill out of my way. But "Switch" is very situational. Switch only works for a switch; "you" works for every ball where responsibility is unclear.

One advantage of having the lobbed player call for the switch is that the player who yells "Switch" should be very clear on the fact that they should get the heck out of the way. If I say it, sometimes it sinks in slowly. If they say it, one would hope it would register immediately. I have several partners who say nothing when a lob goes up, but make no move to overhead it. I then say "Switch" and start hustling over there, and they just stand there, directly in my way. I missed a high volley in a tiebreaker the other day because my partner ignored my "Switch" and remained three feet in front of me, so hitting the shot properly would have nailed her in her skull.

 

[Desperate Tennis Wife]

I yell "you" alot when I think a shot could be retrieved by either me or my partner (or I know its going over my head) and I would rather he get it then either we collide or have neither of us get it. I guess I am annoying to my partners as well!

You may or may not be annoying them. I am easily distracted so it may affect me more than others.

 

[dork2tennisstud]

I don't say "you" a lot, but I do use it. I use it when I think I'm going to have a chance to poach but the opponent hits a better shot than I expected out of my reach or the ball happens to float too far over my head or something like that.

I also jump around a lot at net hoping to get every ball (4.5 level we're talking), so I often warn my partner ahead of time to be aware of that and be ready incase I don't get there.

One more "one word" phrase to use on the tennis court: "Up" . . . not in reference to attacking the net, but in reference to lobs, so your partner can be ready (because they should be watching the opposing net guy, not you). If I hit a terrible lob, I might yell "Heads Up" hoping to give my partner time to retreat to the baseline and play some defense.

You don't want to yell out all your moves, though, because you don't want your opponent to know you're poaching while they still have time to do something about it.

 

[Desperate Tennis Wife]

Cindy,

I do think that she was yelling "YOU!" when she realized it wasn't hers or she was not going to get it. If she were my regular partner I would get clear on what we would say and when. One time she asked me "Did that bother you?" and I just said "Well it was coming right at me so I assumed it was mine", in a humorous kind of way. I know it's a habit for some people and I didn't want to mess her up with having to think about not saying "YOU!".

But I am not motivated by someone yelling "YOU!" it kind of feels like I am being ordered to get the ball.

 

[Desperate Tennis Wife]

One more "one word" phrase to use on the tennis court: "Up" . . . not in reference to attacking the net, but in reference to lobs, so your partner can be ready (because they should be watching the opposing net guy, not you). If I hit a terrible lob, I might yell "Heads Up" hoping to give my partner time to retreat to the baseline and play some defense.

I like "Heads Up" better than "GET BACK!".

 

[Ace]

I don't think yelling "you" is a big deal.
If two people go for the ball at the same time, I will do it to let my partner know that I am backing off. I like it if my partner does the same in that circumstance.
It annoys me to no end though, when I am playing with someone that doesn't move for anything anyway, and just yells "you" because they don't want to move their lazy arse.
So it depends on the situation.

The person I typically play doubles with (when I play doubles) does it and so do I. However, it annoys the crap out of my husband if we both go for a ball and I say "you" to let him know I am backing off. If he misses, its immediately my fault. I have been to several Division I college matches, and they do the same thing, so I think he needs to get over it.
(...On the flip side, if we both go for the ball at the same time and he takes it and misses it, its also my fault....hmmmm...just a little tidbit of info for you to keep in mind, regarding your other post about playing with your spouse....its a "no win" situation!)

 

[JesseT]

What if me and my partner are side by side and the ball goes between us, but my partner has the better shot, if I call "mine", then we are lowering our chances of hitting a good shot. If I say "help", my partner might be confused. I think "you" is the right word in that scenario because I want the person in better position to hit the shot.

Probably works if you've been playing with your partner for months/years. Sure.

However, experience has shown me most people I play with take a extra second to figure out what "you" means.
"you"...ball passes "oh, you mean I need to hit it! Too late".

It's easier/faster to *not* do something than listen/react/hit. Considering the speed of the ball, every second counts.

Your specific scenario just points out nothing's perfect. I've seen the woodies/bryans/erlich-ram/mac-leach collide on middle shots as they both went for it. Tells me even the pros don't have perfect communication (probably due to the speed). But, it *does* tell me that the default mentality at that level is 'mine'-aggressive, not 'you'-passive.

 

[Cindysphinx]

I know some people are highly distractible when they play. Me, the only thing that distracts me is someone who literally gets in my way. As in "directly in my path." This can be a failure to switch, a "fake overhead" where they act like they will overhead but chicken out, that sort of thing.

I have a partner who is so distractible that I can't even do fake poaches. She will double-fault. So I stand very still at net, and I must stand in the doubles alley for her first serve.

As far as being ordered to get a ball, that doesn't bother me either. Some players (especially men in mixed) will flat out tell you what to do and offer advice as you are hitting. They will say "spin" or "short" to warn you that you have to be careful with that ball.

I welcome this. It really helps me for some reason. Other people flip out and miss the shot.

 

[Desperate Tennis Wife]

What if me and my partner are side by side and the ball goes between us, but my partner has the better shot, if I call "mine", then we are lowering our chances of hitting a good shot. If I say "help", my partner might be confused. I think "you" is the right word in that scenario because I want the person in better position to hit the shot.

Another way is to decide ahead of time who is going to get the balls down the middle.

 

[Desperate Tennis Wife]

Try yelling 'Theirs' as the ball crosses the net to your opponents. She might get the message ;-)

HILARIOUS!

 

[Cindysphinx]

I don't think yelling "you" is a big deal.
If two people go for the ball at the same time, I will do it to let my partner know that I am backing off. I like it if my partner does the same in that circumstance.
It annoys me to know end though, when I am playing with someone that doesn't move for anything anyway, and just yells "you".
So it depends on the situation.

It annoys the crap out of my husband if we both go for a ball and I say "you" to let him know I am backing off. If he misses, its immediately my fault. I have been to several Division I college matches, and they do the same thing, so I think he needs to get over it.
(just a little tidbit of info for you to keep in mind, regarding your other post about playing with your spouse)

Exactly. If my partner yells "You", I know I can swing away. I know they will not get in my way, and they are promising me that they will instead take an appropriate court position.

"You" is a thing of beauty. But Ace is *so* right that I want to throttle the person who uses "You" to communicate "You better be playing singles, honey, 'cause I plan to stay rooted to this here piece of real estate."

Cindy -- who doesn't ask whether it bothers people because she can't stop saying it anyway

 

[cak]

I think the annoyance factor depends on how often you yell it. An occasional "you" might be fine, but yelling it on every hit can be extremely annoying. At our club "help" or "go" have found favor. "Help" means it's over my head and I can't get there. "Go" means I'm not going for it, it's all yours. "Yours" is one of those joke calls meaning it was mine but I blew it, so if I call "Yours" before it bounces maybe we'll blame it on you. "Yours" is usually followed by several points of ribbing the caller.

 

[user92626]

I say "go, go,..." to my partner.

Im not saying this to you but I do know a guy who blames his failure on anything his partner says to him. "Don't say anything when I am about to hit!" I always think he's a loser for that.

There has to be some sort of communication or feedback in the team. It's not like we're in an extraordinary quiet environment and a noise would startle and affect your swing.

 

[Desperate Tennis Wife]

I say "go, go,..." to my partner.

Im not saying this to you but I do know a guy who blames his failure on anything his partner says to him. "Don't say anything when I am about to hit!" I always think he's a loser for that.

There has to be some sort of communication or feedback in the team. It's not like we're in an extraordinary quiet environment and a noise would startle and affect your swing.

I totally agree with communication. And I like "Go Go!" and I like "Yours!" when someone decides they cannot make an overhead. I don't mind "Mine" when we are both at the base line and the ball is coming down the middle. I just think "YOU!" when the ball is not "mine" is distracting. And maybe I just don't like "YOU!". Also, I have never actually told someone to stop doing it. Like I said I think it would mess them up more than me if I asked them to change. But I will admit I find it annoying - but I play through it and do the best I can to keep my focus.

 

[user92626]

I don't mind "Mine" when we are both at the base line and the ball is coming down the middle. I just think "YOU!" when the ball is not "mine" is distracting.

It's funny our problem is the complete opposit. We yell "I got it" (our version of mine) too much when it's not even our ball. Leave my partner not hitting 3 balls in a row and you'll see him run to my side to get the next shot!!!!

The people I play with love to hit as many balls as possible, but if they lose they'll say their partners did not run and point out that they were the only one doing the running and it's too much for them to do everything which is true!!! The argument gets kinda circular from there!!!!!!!!

 

[Ace]

I say "go, go,..." to my partner.

Im not saying this to you but I do know a guy who blames his failure on anything his partner says to him. "Don't say anything when I am about to hit!" I always think he's a loser for that.

There has to be some sort of communication or feedback in the team. It's not like we're in an extraordinary quiet environment and a noise would startle and affect your swing.

Ok, I do have to comment on this one.....
When it is "clearly" my ball, and I am running to get to it, I do find a person going "go, go!" just to cheer me on (or for whatever reason they do it) to be extremely annoying. Actually, I have to rephrase...in the past, I have had partners who I enjoy playing with do this, and it makes me laugh, but then I still think "I'M GOING as fast as I can, get off my case!" Occassionally, in the past, I have played with people who I don't really care to play with do this, and I find it annoying. Not distracting, just annoying. hahah...so I guess I just get annoyed by people who annoy me....but don't think I'm easily annoyed, because I'm not....

 

[A.Davidson]

My doubles partner and I say "SWITCH" when we're swapping sides and staying.

Never heard the "YOURS" thing, aside from when a lob gets over the net guy's head.

 

[user92626]

Ok, I do have to comment on this one.....
When it is "clearly" my ball, and I am running to get to it, I do find a person going "go, go!" just to cheer me on (or for whatever reason they do it) to be extremely annoying. Actually, I have to rephrase...in the past, I have had partners who I enjoy playing with do this, and it makes me laugh, but then I still think "I'M GOING as fast as I can, get off my case!" Occassionally, in the past, I have played with people who I don't really care to play with do this, and I find it annoying. Not distracting, just annoying. hahah...so I guess I just get annoyed by people who annoy me....but don't think I'm easily annoyed, because I'm not....

Actually I haven't found many players in their right mind who would say "go, go,.." or "yours" to obvious balls. I only say "go, go,.." to lobby balls which I first attempt to get but realize they're out of my reach, or to short, weak balls landing close to the net and determined to be on my partner's side.

Like I said above yielding isn't our problem, sharing is. No one wants to let others play. The most used terms are "I got it!" or "let me..."


To be frank I do not get annoyed from any of this. I play along with anything and everything. I even praise my partner when he gives me unsolicited, dead obvious coaching / advices that begs cynicism.

 

[fe6250]

While I can understand all the discussion here on when to call what, I find that many of the people I play with don't talk enough on the court and talking too much is rarely the issue.

That said, my personal preference is having partners who tell me to 'bounce it' to help me judge a ball going long or tell me 'I'm Here' if they are in position to take a ball that I may want to take or not or "Mine" if they want the shot. I don't find the 'yours' call particularly effective as I'm trying to get everything I can anyway and would prefer someone say "I'm Here" or "Mine" so I can decide to back off.

Telling me 'Yours' is simply telling me they can't get there which most of the time I can figure out. The only real exception to this is a drop shot or a shot that they are WAY out of position to get and they will tell me "go get it' or something like that to let me know they have NO chance.

My 2 Pesos...once again ;-)

 

[Ace]

Actually I haven't found many players in their right mind who would say "go, go,.." or "yours" to obvious balls.

hahahah....you wouldn't think so, but I can think of a couple partners in the past years years that I have played tennis with who have done this. The first was when I was just beginning tennis, I ran like crazy, but couldn't hit consistently. I had a partner who didn't run, or move, for that matter, so when a ball would go over her head, she would first yell "Heeeeeeeelp" even if she were way closer to the ball than me, then as I was running for the ball, I'd get the "go! Go! GOOO!!" That, I found annoying, because my partner was not willing to run for the ball that would have been easier for her to get.

Then more recently, in the past couple years, one of my favorite partners has done this for balls that were clearly mine to get, but really tough to get to, more as encouragement for me to get it. That wasn't annoying to me, because she's a good player and wasn't just yelling for me to get a ball because she wasn't going to get it, but because she knew if I tried, I would get to it.

 

[tbini87]

i yell "you" or "mine" fairly often in doubles. i think it is important to communicate. when a ball gets popped up and we are both at net i usually call who will play the ball. then there are no questions, and whoever is going to play it can do so 100%.

 

[1099593]

superman that ho!

*youuuu

 

[Cindysphinx]

You know another reason why I think people get annoyed?

Most of my partners are mute. They don't call balls. As I sit here, I cannot think of one partner who can be counted on to call the middle ball. In fact, in our little clinic I take with teammates, we will do a drill where one person hits groundstrokes and the other two volley from the net, with specific instructions that they must call the middle ball. Still, despite having been so instructed, despite the pro's repeated reminders, the volleyers volley in silence.

So. I'm the one usually saying "You" on balls where somebody ought to be saying something. I would imagine the recipient of this probably feels bossed around and generally harangued. I wonder, though.

If a guy in mixed yelled "You" for a middle ball, I would love him for it. I would see it as a tremendous vote of confidence.

 

[eagle]

How about yelling to your partner "HELL NO!". Just kidding.

I don't play doubles enough but when I do, I occassionally say (not yell) "Mine". I seldom say "Yours" since my partner knows that if I don't play the ball that it is his/hers. I guess it's being able to recognize each other's position on the court; the ball's path, speed, and angle; and each other's movement or lack of towards the ball.

When lobbed and the ball trajectory is clearly going to be past me, it's an automatic that it is my partner's ball. I guess that's how I've been schooled playing doubles.

I think playing against vocal teams doesn't bother me but an incessant utterance from my partner even for obvious balls that only I can retrieve would annoy me.

Exaggerated example would be when you are receiving serve and your partner yells out "Yours".

Just my 2 cents.

r,
eagle

 

[LuckyR]

I play doubles a lot and I will yell "got it" for balls that would ordinarily be theirs, esp drops to their side, when I am at the net. I will yell "yours", esp for lobs that go over my head.

On a side note, many if not most of the time that a lob goes over the netman's head and it is the sort of lob that the baseline player can make a play on, does not require a switch of sides. So I would not use "switch" as synonymous with "yours" for lobs over the netman's head.

 

[user92626]

In fact, in our little clinic I take with teammates, we will do a drill where one person hits groundstrokes and the other two volley from the net, with specific instructions that they must call the middle ball. Still, despite having been so instructed, despite the pro's repeated reminders, the volleyers volley in silence.

Volleyers calling for their shots? I would think this is only do-able in drill but to serve what purpose I don't know.

In matches volleyers cannot call out their shots because 1) they must reserve the surprise factor, you wouldn't want to cue the opponents to respond, would you? 2) the ball is going relatively lightning speed, 3) if the netman can't get to the ball, the baseliner is automatically the next line of defense, as opposed to the 2 baseline formation where there's no sequence, ie 2 are at the same layer, thus jam the understanding, ex. when ball lands in middle.

 

[JesseT]

Funniest experience I've ever seen:

Mixed doubles
I hit a lob over male net-guy
Female opponent is running over as net-guy is backing up...they're about to collide...

She pushes him hard and yells "MOVE OUT OF MY WAY!"

I had to try hard not to laugh.

 

[user92626]

Funniest experience I've ever seen:

Mixed doubles
I hit a lob over male net-guy
Female opponent is running over as net-guy is backing up...they're about to collide...

She pushes him hard and yells "MOVE OUT OF MY WAY!"

I had to try hard not to laugh.

So, what was after that?

 

[ATXtennisaddict]

Try yelling 'Theirs' as the ball crosses the net to your opponents. She might get the message ;-)

ahhahahahahhahah

 

[Cindysphinx]

Volleyers calling for their shots? I would think this is only do-able in drill but to serve what purpose I don't know.

In matches volleyers cannot call out their shots because 1) they must reserve the surprise factor, you wouldn't want to cue the opponents to respond, would you? 2) the ball is going relatively lightning speed, 3) if the netman can't get to the ball, the baseliner is automatically the next line of defense, as opposed to the 2 baseline formation where there's no sequence, ie 2 are at the same layer, thus jam the understanding, ex. when ball lands in middle.

Oh, volleyers most definitely call their shots. I am talking about when both are at net.

Say you have 2 up, about the same distance from the net. Opposing player is at baseline, lining up a pass. As soon as either net player thinks she has a play on the ball, she should say "Mine!" and attack the ball. This must be done before the ball crosses the net.

It works much better than both players staying silent. Less chance of a racket clash, and more chance of a player "owning" the ball, knowing there will be no interference.

This is what I'm being taught. Doing it is quite another matter. When I do it, I volley much better.

 

[notujoo]

partners dont yell at each other..... you got to get the rite partner

 

[wao]

My doubles partner and I say "SWITCH" when we're swapping sides and staying.

Never heard the "YOURS" thing, aside from when a lob gets over the net guy's head.

I will say switch, or if I am going to take an overhead that either one of us could reach I will say mine, or if it is one that I have a better chance of running down.

 

[10sguy]

I don't say "you" a lot, but I do use it. I use it when I think I'm going to have a chance to poach but the opponent hits a better shot than I expected out of my reach or the ball happens to float too far over my head or something like that.

I also jump around a lot at net hoping to get every ball (4.5 level we're talking), so I often warn my partner ahead of time to be aware of that and be ready incase I don't get there.

One more "one word" phrase to use on the tennis court: "Up" . . . not in reference to attacking the net, but in reference to lobs, so your partner can be ready (because they should be watching the opposing net guy, not you). If I hit a terrible lob, I might yell "Heads Up" hoping to give my partner time to retreat to the baseline and play some defense.

You don't want to yell out all your moves, though, because you don't want your opponent to know you're poaching while they still have time to do something about it.

Regarding your comment, "If I hit a terrible lob, I might yell "Heads Up" hoping to give my partner time to retreat to the baseline and play some defense."

According to the rules of tennis, once you (or your partner) strike the ball, you are not to say a thing; to do so constitutes a hindrance.

 

[BigGriff]

Try yelling 'Theirs' as the ball crosses the net to your opponents. She might get the message ;-)

I gotta try that with my doubles partners! Too funny.

 

[hollywood9826]

Regarding your comment, "If I hit a terrible lob, I might yell "Heads Up" hoping to give my partner time to retreat to the baseline and play some defense."

According to the rules of tennis, once you (or your partner) strike the ball, you are not to say a thing; to do so constitutes a hindrance.

Thats right you cant say anything, but you hit the ball and go AAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE until your opponet hits thier shot. for some reason unbeknownst to me that is perfectly legal

If you play with the same dude enough, you will start settling in and know right away the balls they can and cant get to.

 

[fe6250]

I gotta try that with my doubles partners! Too funny.

Works best with a heavy sarcastic tone and good thigh slap (See Cindy's thread) to boot!

 

[TravelinMan]

Be careful saying GOT IT, especially when both you you have a potential play on the ball. I have a tendency to do this and am trying to say yours or mine instead. During one point I yelled GOT IT and both my partner and I started moving towards the ball then we both stopped. After the ball passed between us, he turned to me and said, "was that a question or a statement". Lesson learned.

 

[Cindysphinx]

Regarding your comment, "If I hit a terrible lob, I might yell "Heads Up" hoping to give my partner time to retreat to the baseline and play some defense."

According to the rules of tennis, once you (or your partner) strike the ball, you are not to say a thing; to do so constitutes a hindrance.

Well, not exactly. . . .

HINDRANCE ISSUES
33. Talking during a point. A player shall not talk while the ball is moving
toward the opponent’s side of the court. If the player’s talking interferes with
an opponent’s ability to play the ball, the player loses the point. Consider the
situation where a player hits a weak lob and loudly yells at his or her partner
to get back. If the shout is loud enough to distract an opponent, then the
opponent may claim the point based on a deliberate hindrance. If the opponent chooses to hit the lob and misses it, the opponent loses the point
because the opponent did not make a timely claim of hindrance.

So you can talk, but you're at risk if the opponent chooses to claim a hindrance.

 

[saram]

partners dont yell at each other..... you got to get the rite partner

Good advice. I can't play with partners that are annoying. I think a good conversation explaining the concern should work--if not, then find another partner.

 

[slice bh compliment]

Try yelling 'Theirs' as the ball crosses the net to your opponents. She might get the message ;-)

LOL, that's hilarious, man, "THEIRS!!" I wish I could use that one day, that's gold.

The 'calling each ball' thing is annoying for sure. But did you guys know that's become a popular drill among college teams? They play 2 v 2 starting in the midcourt or in the back of the box and they call each and every ball, including lobs. Some of them (more women's teams than men, from what I have seen) actually carry this over into matches. Seriously, and there is nothing wrong with it other than the fact that it is draining and annoying.

You know why coaches love to push this drill? It heightens awareness of the oncoming ball, it obviously makes them work on communication, and it makes them declare that they recognize (early and often) just what type of ball is coming toward their side. All in all, a great concept, even though a partner who does not drink the Kool-Aid would be forgiven for wondering about your mental health.