question about mixed

[randomname]

I was just wondering, should the girl always play on the deuce side unless one of them is just amazing or terrible on a certain side. I was just thinking that because there are only two, game points that the girl can be receiving on, 40-15 and 15-40, which are also relatively un-important compared to most of the other game points. where as the guy would be receiving on 6 different game points.

 

[spot]

I think that the whole game points reasoning is pretty ridiculous. Once it gets to deuce you need to win 2 points in a row to take the game- unless you are incredibly mentally weak it doesn't really matter which one goes first. It makes just as much sense to say that its more important to have the guy on the Deuce side so your team faces fewer points where you could lose the game.

However I think there are quite a few reasons why it does make sense to play the guy on the AD side. First is that mens overheads are generally stronger- so putting him on the AD side will put his forehand in the middle when both people get to the net. Second is just that on a serve wide to the ad side guys seem to have an easier time getting to that ball and returning it crosscourt.

 

[Cindysphinx]

As a chick, I wind up having to play the deuce side although I now prefer the ad side most of the time. Deuce side is really hard in mixed because many hard serves go down the middle. I have a 2HBH, so it is tough to get set up and take it cross-court.

The reasoning that the guy should play deuce because that's where the game point lies only makes sense if the guy is playing well.

They don't always play well, and when they don't, you go down in flames awfully quick.

 

[Z-Man]

I think it's more about putting the dominant forehand/overhead in the center. However, I'm done with mixed doubles. Unless it's purely social, you're just asking for trouble.

 

[travlerajm]

If the guy has a huge forehand, he might be able to dominate his return points better if he plays deuce. And you end up getting more forehands if you play the deuce side.

The main reason I think the guy should usually play the ad side though, is because it makes it much easier to have the woman crowd the net. If the opponents try to lob the woman, the guy can easily roll left to right behind her to smash the overhead. If the guy plays the deuce side, he can't do as much with the lobs over her head because he has to hit a backhand overhead, which is much tougher to hit offensively.

And the golden rule of mixed doubles is that the woman must crowd the net.

 

[Raiden.Kaminari]

Not sure what NTRP level you're referring to.

I've seen many winning pairs where the male plays deuce side (to get the early lead). In fact, my wife and I play with me on the deuce side as well.

When she's on the baseline, she sets up points for me to put the ball away. If the guy is foolish enough to approach the net, she either passes him, or lobs over the female partner (which causes the guy to hit the ball short for my overhead).

She also doesn't crowd the net because she's a very good volleyer, and moves seamlessly with me (based on my court positioning).

It's all about trust. If you don't believe in your partner and want to be playing singles in mixed doubles, have your female partner stay at the net. But playing mixed doubles with my wife (or a friend) is all about being partners. Although there are times when they feel more like an enemy on court than a friend on court

 

[Cruzer]

I play the duece side in mixed doubles with my wife because

a) I am left handed and I think it is preferable to have forehands in the middle.
b) My wife much prefers playing on the ad side. She loves getting wide serves on the ad side because she has a very good backhand. The opponents find out early in the match that she hits her backhand down the line as well.
c) I like the opportunity to start the first point in a game and get ahead.

 

[Cruzer]

And the golden rule of mixed doubles is that the woman must crowd the net.

I have never heard of this "golden rule" and I don't think it applies to all levels of mixed doubles play. I think this may be an appropriate strategy when the woman skills may be overmatched by the opponents, i.e. an average 3.0 woman playing 8.0 mixed against two solid 4.0 players.

 

[HellBunni]

I think the weaker player should always play on the side he/she is strongest on, assuming the weak side of the stronger player isn't THAT weak.