After a FH down-the-line shot, the player expects the opponent’s response to land approximately 0.5 to 1 meter to the left of the center of the baseline. The angle bisector (yellow) of the best possible responses runs through the two shots (blue). This results in the shorter or longer path to the corresponding position (black circle), which is the most advantageous spot for covering one’s own side of the court.

After a cross shot, the player expects the opponent’s response to land approximately 0.5 to 1 meter to the right of the center of the baseline. The angle bisector (yellow) of the best possible responses runs through the two shots (blue). This results in the shorter or longer path to the corresponding position (black circle), which is the most advantageous spot for covering one’s own side of the court.

In doubles, communication with your partner is essential for success. It’s crucial to call “mine” or “yours” every time the ball comes near to avoid confusion over who will hit it. Effective communication during a point—such as signaling to “cover the alley” or “play defense”—helps you and your partner maintain better positioning. Additionally, guiding your partner with calls like “lob” or “back up” can prepare them for potential responses.

Support doesn’t end with a point; encouraging each other after a loss or celebrating a successful shot builds team morale. During changeovers, discussing the match’s flow, identifying the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, and planning adjustments can make a significant difference. By continuously communicating before, during, and after points, you and your partner can stay coordinated and maximize your chances of winning.

In doubles, many players default to a “you mentality”—expecting their partner to take shots that aren’t clearly theirs. This mindset can lead to hesitation and missed opportunities, especially for balls near the center. Instead, adopting a “me mentality” is crucial. This approach encourages players to actively reach for more shots, staying aggressive and engaged. When both partners focus on claiming balls instead of waiting for each other, they cover more of the court and minimize gaps. Embracing this mentality as a team not only improves coverage but also makes the duo harder to beat.

In doubles, positioning is key, especially in two common scenarios. First, when the ball lands easily in the middle of the opposite court, focus on closing the center at the net. Shots from this position typically target the middle, so both players should ensure no gaps allow the ball to slip through. Forcing opponents to aim for risky angles often results in their mistakes.

The second scenario is when the opponent has a short ball near the sideline. Here, close off the alley and make them choose a different shot. Anticipating and covering these two situations can prevent unnecessary point losses, as these patterns repeat frequently in matches. By staying aware and prepared, you gain a strategic edge.

In doubles, movement is essential. Every time the ball is hit, all four players should adjust their positions. If you’re standing still after the shot, you’re likely out of position. Where you should move depends on the nature of the shot—whether it’s aggressive, angled, or easy. Each shot influences the ideal positioning for the next, so keep moving to stay in the best spot possible. This continuous adjustment maximizes your court coverage and keeps you ready for any return. Don’t get caught flat-footed—stay in motion with each hit.

One key strategy to elevate your tennis game is to observe your opponent’s patterns. By paying attention to their favorite shots and tendencies, you can anticipate their moves, especially under pressure. For instance, if an opponent consistently serves wide, it may catch you off guard once—but if they keep doing it, it’s a pattern. Being aware of these recurring shots can help you position yourself better and prevent them from repeatedly surprising you. Recognizing and adapting to these patterns can make a significant difference, potentially tipping the match in your favor. Stay alert and be ready to adjust your approach.

In doubles tennis, moving forward after hitting a strong shot from the backcourt can be a game-changer. Many players hit a great low shot that forces their opponent at the net to stretch or execute a weak volley, only to miss the opportunity by staying back. When the net player struggles to return the ball effectively, a quick advance forward increases your chances of winning the point

In doubles, communication with your partner is essential for success. It’s crucial to call “mine” or “yours” every time the ball comes near to avoid confusion over who will hit it. Effective communication during a point—such as signaling to “cover the alley” or “play defense”—helps you and your partner maintain better positioning. Additionally, guiding your partner with calls like “lob” or “back up” can prepare them for potential responses.

Support doesn’t end with a point; encouraging each other after a loss or celebrating a successful shot builds team morale. During changeovers, discussing the match’s flow, identifying the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, and planning adjustments can make a significant difference. By continuously communicating before, during, and after points, you and your partner can stay coordinated and maximize your chances of winning.

In doubles, many players default to a “you mentality”—expecting their partner to take shots that aren’t clearly theirs. This mindset can lead to hesitation and missed opportunities, especially for balls near the center. Instead, adopting a “me mentality” is crucial. This approach encourages players to actively reach for more shots, staying aggressive and engaged. When both partners focus on claiming balls instead of waiting for each other, they cover more of the court and minimize gaps. Embracing this mentality as a team not only improves coverage but also makes the duo harder to beat.

In doubles, positioning is key, especially in two common scenarios. First, when the ball lands easily in the middle of the court, players should cover the middle. Shots from this position typically target the middle, so both players should ensure no gaps allow the ball to slip through. Forcing opponents to aim for risky angles, around you, often results in their mistakes.

The second scenario is when the opponent has a short ball near the sideline. Here, the player should close off the alley and make them choose a different shot. Anticipating and covering these two situations can prevent unnecessary point losses, as these patterns repeat frequently in matches. By staying aware and prepared, you gain a strategic edge.

In doubles, movement is essential. Every time the ball is hit, all four players should adjust their positions. If you’re standing still after the shot, you’re likely out of position. Where you should move depends on the nature of the shot—whether it’s aggressive, angled, or easy. Each shot influences the ideal positioning for the next, so keep moving to stay in the best spot possible. This continuous adjustment maximizes your court coverage and keeps you ready for any return. Don’t get caught flat-footed—stay in motion with each hit.

In doubles tennis, the returner plays a critical role in setting the tone for each point. When returning, you generally have four main options: a deep cross-court shot, a short cross-court shot, a down-the-line return, or a lob over the net opponent. The primary goal, however, is consistency. Successfully making each return keeps you in the rally and helps prevent your opponents from gaining an easy advantage.

Your positioning as a returner depends on the server’s strengths. If they often serve wide, consider shifting wider to prepare. Likewise, if the server tends to aim down the middle or has a strong serve on the tee, adjust to cover that area. Comfort is key—if the ball feels difficult to reach or hit effectively, re-evaluate your positioning.

Above all, aim to make every return. Missing just a couple of returns per game can give your opponents a significant lead, making it hard to break serve. With consistent, well-placed returns and strategic positioning, you can enhance your impact as a returner and keep your team competitive.

In doubles, each player’s positioning and role are essential to controlling the court, and the returner’s partner plays a particularly strategic role. As the returner’s partner, your primary responsibility is to focus on defense, positioning yourself slightly back and close to the center of the court. This stance allows you to cover the most likely response from the net opponent, who may attempt to hit the ball through the middle for an easy point. By blocking this route, you help reduce your opponent’s chances of securing a quick win.

Positioning further back also allows you to react quickly to the serve, helping you judge whether it will be in or out. Keep a close watch on the net player—if they make a move, it’s likely the ball is coming your way. Once the return clears the opponent at the net, move forward aggressively to take control, aiming to intercept or “poach” any shot close to you.

Throughout the point, remain flexible. If the ball lands closer to the sideline, adjust your positioning to cover down-the-line shots, always ready to assist your partner in securing the point. Mastering these movements and positioning strategies is key to becoming an effective and proactive returner’s partner.

In doubles tennis, the server’s partner has a critical role in disrupting the returner’s focus. As the server’s partner, it’s essential to stay active and keep the returner uncertain about your next move. Standing too far in the alley makes you predictable, so aim for a position around the center of your service box as a starting point. From there, you can choose one of three key options:

1. Poach: Move across the court to intercept the return, adding pressure and reducing your opponent’s angles.
2. Fake: Pretend to poach, making a quick feint before returning to cover your side, keeping the returner guessing.
3. Stay Ready: Hold your ground, prepared to intercept anything within reach.

Additionally, there’s a fourth option: Switch. If you and your partner prefer specific sides or shot types, communicate before the serve and switch positions post-serve to optimize your strengths.

Positioning also matters. Watch the server’s placement; and step forward in that direction. With these tactics, the server’s partner can play a vital role in keeping the returner off-balance and creating opportunities for winning points.

In doubles, the server plays a vital role in setting up each point. The primary goal? Consistently get your serve in and ideally target your opponent’s weaker side. By placing your serve strategically—away from their strong forehand, for instance—you can avoid putting yourself on the defensive.

First serves are crucial. They allow you to control the pace and keep the returner guessing, which limits their ability to attack aggressively. Even if it means serving at 80% power, prioritizing placement and consistency can keep your opponents on their toes.

Positioning also matters. Serving closer to the middle allows easier targeting of the tee, while serving from an angle can create different shot opportunities, such as setting up a preferred backhand. When serving, you can decide to serve and volley, moving to the net immediately, or stay back to manage the rally from the baseline.

Ultimately, the key for servers is to avoid double faults and maintain control. Consistent, well-placed serves directed to your opponent’s weakness can set the tone for a successful point.

A key skill of a great club coach is translating ATP and WTA statistics into actionable training goals for players. Data from Craig O’Shannessy (@BrainGameTennis) shows that, in the 2018 Grand Slams, men hit forehands 70% of the time and women 60%. This highlights the importance of training players to prioritize their forehand whenever possible. For example, shots coming through the middle of the court should be approached with a forehand return, reinforcing forehand dominance in match play.

If you decide to play both back to return, make sure you adjust your return accordingly. Playing both back and going for a huge return does not make sense. If you play both back, play a defensive return. Make the opponents play.

The same way that planning to poach when your partner serves helps you move across with more confidence, planning in advance to poach off a return minimizes the risk of the opponent surprising you and hitting behind you. If this happens your partner will be ready to cover you.

When your partner returns you will start the point in a defensive position around the service line and close to the center line. However, If the opponent serves and volleys and your partner hits a great return at his/her feet, you need to move forward, close to the net, in the direction of the return and try to intercept his/her volley.

It is very difficult to remain ready to intercept a shot when you constantly have to look back to see what kind of shot your partner is hitting. A better option is to try to obtain cues about your partner’s shot by focusing on the net player across you. With some practice you will be able to move much faster into position by inferring what type of shot your partner hit from the opponent’s movements.

When your partner returns one of your jobs is to be ready to defend the middle should the server’s partner poach. Therefore it is important that you stand on the service line close to the centerline to start the point. If your partner hits a good return past the net player then you can move forward to a more offensive spot. However, If the server’s partner intercepts the return the best target for him/her is right between you and your partner and that is the shot you need to be ready to cover.

Returning and charging the net is an excellent way to pressure the opponents. In order to do this more effectively start moving forwards as the opponent tosses to serve. That will allow you to catch the ball closer to the service line and therefore be closer to the net for your first volley. Also important is to use your outside shot to return in order to remain closer to the middle of the court. This means that if you are a righty you should return with the forehand on the deuce court and with the backhand on the ad court.

Changing the starting formation when your team is serving will force your opponents to adjust and will keep them guessing leading to more return mistakes. Mix in the Australian and the “I” Formation in your game.