Doubles
Doubles players greatly outnumber singles players in tennis, so helping players to improve their doubles game is a valuable tool for any tennis coach.
Here you will find tactical advice, and drills to help players succeed in every situation they may encounter on the court, whether offensively or defensively. Our point-based drills force players to face different situations and practice them until they are able to react automatically with the correct response to every shot from the opponent.
- All ()
- Agility ()
- Approach shot ()
- Approach Shot Tactic ()
- Backhand ()
- Backhand Volley ()
- Complex Training ()
- Coordination ()
- Drills ()
- Endurance ()
- Feeding by the Coach ()
- Flexibility ()
- Forehand ()
- Forehand Volley ()
- General Tactic ()
- Green Ball Stage ()
- Groundstroke Introduction ()
- Groundstrokes ()
- Half Volley ()
- Instruction ()
- Live Ball Drill ()
- Lob ()
- Mini Tennis ()
- Net Game Tactic ()
- Off Court Warm up ()
- One-handed Backhand ()
- Orange Ball Stage ()
- Organization ()
- Overhead ()
- Passing Tactic ()
- Power ()
- Rallying Tactic ()
- Red Ball Stage ()
- Regeneration ()
- Return ()
- Return Tactic ()
- Returning Team Tactic ()
- Serve ()
- Serve Tactic ()
- Serving Team Tactic ()
- Slice ()
- Sliding ()
- Speed ()
- Strength ()
- Stretching ()
- Tactic ()
- Technique ()
- Topspin Volley ()
- Toss ()
- Two-handed Backhand ()
- Volleys ()
- Warming up Strokes ()
- Wrist ()
Be Aggressive at the Net when your Partner is Serving. Own the Middle
Serving Team TacticYour job when your partner is serving is to intimidate the returner. You need to try to cover a large area at the net. A good mentality at the net is to make sure you intercept all the shots through the middle of the court. “Own the Mi...
Always Consider and Vary three Options when your Partner is Serving: Poach, Stay or Fake
Serving Team TacticWhen you are at the net and your partner is serving you need to work on getting into your opponent’s head and the best way to do this is to keep him/her guessing. This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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Use Planned Crossing to Boost you Confidence as a Poacher
Serving Team TacticAs the partner of the server it is sometimes difficult to build up the nerve to poach. Many players are so worried of a return down the alley that they never really poach, making the returner’s job much easier.This post is only availab...
Play as Close to the Net as Possible until the Opponent Challenges you with Lobs
General TacticThe closer you play at the net, the easier it is to volley. First, you are more likely to get high volleys that you can attack and secondly, it will be easier to cover the lateral shots because you are cutting off the angles.This post is...
Move in the Direction of your Partner’s Serve
Serving Team TacticWhen at the net and your partner serving be active. Move forwards in the direction of the serve as soon as you hear your partner’s racquet striking the ball. This will help you move faster to intercept the return and also cover the ang...
Vary your Returns Between: Crosscourt, Down the Line, Lobs and Chip and Charge
Returning Team TacticWhen returning in doubles you always have 4 options: crosscourt, down the line, lob and chip and charge. Make sure you use all of them. Do not let the opponents get comfortable by using always the same return.This post is only available ...
After the Return Play the Next Shot Safely Between the Opponents.
Returning Team TacticMany times the returner will miss the shot after the return because he/she is not very clear what to do. The opponents are at the net and it is very easy to panic or try a great shot to win the point.This post is only available to member...
Hit Down the Line Often at the Beginning of the Match When Playing team that Love to Poach
General TacticWhen playing teams that like to poach go down the line often at the beginning of the match. This will send a clear message to them to be careful about poaching. This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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Move Forwards and Catch the Ball Early to Lob Effectively off the Return
Returning Team TacticA lob return is a great way to destabilize the opponents. However, to be affective the returner needs to take time away from the opponents by catching the serve early and returning from way inside the court.This post is only available to...
Use Signals to Improve the Communication with your Partner
Serving Team TacticAlthough the doubles game has changed recently and more players are playing from the backcourt, it is still a volley game.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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Use Different Formations when Serving
Serving Team TacticAlthough the doubles game has changed recently and more players are playing from the backcourt, it is still a volley game.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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If Chipping and Charging Start Moving in as the Opponent Tosses and Use your Outside Stroke
Returning Team TacticReturning 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.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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Cover the Middle of the Court When your Partner Returns
Returning Team TacticWhen 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.This post is only...
When at the Net with your Partner Returning, Focus on the Net Player Across from you
Returning Team TacticIt 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. This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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Help your Partner by Poaching after He/She Hits a Great Return
Returning Team TacticWhen your partner returns you will start the point in a defensive position around the service line and close to the center line.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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Planning to Poach in Advance of a Good Return can Really Pay off on Key Points
Returning Team TacticThe 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. This post is onl...
When Returning Both Back Always Make the Return
Returning Team TacticIf 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.This post...
Hit Low Volleys Back to the Opponent at the Baseline, High Volleys Hard at the Feet of the Opponent at the Net
General TacticWhen at the net hit the low volleys back to the opponent at the baseline. Only hit to the opponent at the net when you can hurt him/her.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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The Player Diagonal to the Shot Covers the Middle
General TacticA common misconception in doubles is that the player with the forehand volley takes the shots through the middle.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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Use the Shot Down the Middle Often When at the Baseline Playing Against Two Players at the Net
General TacticWhen at the baseline it is very tempting to try to hit “bullets” against two players at the net.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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Take Some Pace off When Facing a Low Volley Against two Players at the Net
General TacticMany players make the mistake of trying to hit through two players at the net when facing a low volley. This usually results in an easy high volley for the opponents.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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On Going Communication is the Key to a Good Doubles Team
General TacticGreat doubles teams are always communicating – during points, between points and on the change-overs. Make sure you are constantly communicating with your partners.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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Do not Forget to Communicate with your Partner During the Point
General TacticMost players know the importance of communicating with their partners after every point. However, most players do not do as good of a job communicating during the points.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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Take Advantage of Teams Returning with Both Players at the Baseline
Serving Team TacticWhen you face two players at the baseline when serving, take advantage of the situation and make sure you get the first serve in. A situation like that really benefits the server.This post is only available to members. Please register or...
When at the Net and Playing Against two Players in the Back Keep the volleys deep Until you Can Put the Ball Away
General TacticA frequent mistake when playing two at the net against two at the back is for the players at the net to try to hit forcing shots like drop shots or angles too early allowing the opponents at the baseline to attack the net or use angles.T...
When Returning Both Back, Make the Return!
Returning Team TacticIf 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.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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Play a High defensive Lob if you get Passed by a Lob
General TacticIf you get passed by a lob, both you and your partner need to run back and play defense.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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When at the Net Move with the Ball
General TacticWhen playing one up and one back against the same formation, both net players need to be constantly moving up and back from offense to defense as the ball moves from one side of the net to the other.This post is only available to members...
When at the Net with your Partner Back Find a Comfortable Balance Between Never Looking Back and Always Looking Back
General TacticWhen at the net with your partner back there are two schools of though: Some coaches think players should never look back, other coaches think players should look back.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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Angle Short Lobs and Hit Deep Lobs Through the Middle
General TacticWhen at the net in doubles angle the short lobs and hit deep lobs through the middle or at the opponent’s feet.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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If your Partner Gets Lobbed it May be Easier for you to Play the Next Shot
General TacticWhen one of the players gets lobbed, the ideal outcome is for that player to hit an overhead. However, if the lob is too deep, the player reacting first should probably get it.This post is only available to members. Please register or lo...
Shoot for 70% of First Serves
Serving Team TacticAn opponent returning second serves will always be more aggressive. Making a high percentage of first serves will keep the opponent’s on the defensive.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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Make it a Habit to Serve and Volley as Much as Possible
Serving Team TacticServing and volleying is still the most effective way to play doubles, so get into the habit of serving and volleying as much as possible.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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Attacking the net on the Second Shot
Serving Team TacticIf you are having a hard time serving and volleying every time you can keep the same the same aggressive mentality but adjust slightly by approaching the net on the second shot instead.This post is only available to members. Please regis...
Commit to Serving and Volleying to Improve your Doubles Game
Serving Team TacticAlthough the doubles game has changed recently and more players are playing from the backcourt, it is still a volley game.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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Volley Deep Cross Court Until you Get a Ball that You can Attack
General TacticAlthough the doubles game has changed recently and more players are playing from the backcourt, it is still a volley game.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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Serve to the Weakness Down the T or at the Body if you Know your Partner will try to Poach
Serving Team TacticIf you are serving and you know your partner will look to poach, serve to the weakness. If your opponent does not have a glaring weakness, serve to the T or to the body. A wide serve will open angles and would make it more dangerous for ...
Points: Body Return Down the Line
DrillsPlayers play on half the singles court. One player is at the net, the other one at the baseline. The coach feeds a serve to the player at the baseline. He returns down the line at the net player. The point is played out. This is a good d...
Doubles: 3-2-1
DrillsPoints are played out two at the net against two in the back. The team at the net starts the point with an underhand feed. The point is played out. Every unforced error counts one point. Every winner counts two points. The team at the ne...
Doubles: Four at Net
DrillsTwo teams play points with all players at the net. One of the players starts the point underhand and then the point is played out. Tactical advice Ideally, players should try to keep the volleys low and move towards the net to create opp...
Doubles: One up-One Back Formation
DrillsTwo teams play points with one player at the net and the other one at the baseline. The serve is underhanded. (The players at the net need to emphasize the correct movement up and back diagonally toward the center of the court trying to ...
Doubles: Blasting the Net Player
DrillsOne of the players hits a second serve and comes in. The opponent returns aggressively at the server’s partner who is at the net. He hits a volley towards the ‘T’ or back to the server. The returner’s partner moves towards the mi...
Doubles: Lobbing and Coming in
DrillsTwo players start at the net and two in the back. One player in the back feeds a lob over the net players. (With advanced players, have the players at the net start touching the net with their racquets). They run the lob down and hit a d...
Doubles: Chipping and Charging
DrillsOne player serves and volleys. The opponent returns crosscourt with a chip and charge. The server hits a volley to the returner’s feet, and the point is played out. Tactical advice To chip and charge effectively, the player has to star...
Doubles: Playing Both Back on the Return
DrillsOne team serves and the server has to serve and volley. Both opponents stay back to receive. The player returning has to make the return (if not there is a negative consequence such as having to perform 5 kangaroo jumps or losing more th...
Doubles: Poaching
DrillsOne player serves toward the ‘T’, and the opponent returns crosscourt. The server’s partner crosses and volleys at the opponent at the net. The point is played out. Tactical advice Be aggressive when poaching (no doubts). Move diag...
Doubles: Lob Return
DrillsOne player serves and volleys. The opponent hits a lob over his partner at the net. If the lob is very deep, the team lets it bounce and plays a defensive lob back. If the lob is short, the player at the net hits an overhead between both...
Doubles: Volley crosscourt and wait for the lob
DrillsOne player serves and volleys, the opponent returns crosscourt. The player who returned keeps playing to the middle of the court or crosscourt, and the server keeps volleying crosscourt until the player at the baseline hits a lob. At thi...
Doubles Drill: Decision on High Volleys
DrillsOne player serves and volleys, the opponent returns crosscourt. Video: High Volley If the return is high, the server will volley firmly toward the opponent at the net. Video: Low Volley If the return is low, the server will volley deep t...
Doubles – Australian Formation
General TacticIn the Australian formation the net player stand on the same side as the server to start the point. The server serves from the middle of the court (just as in singles). With this formation, the returner is forced to return down the line....
Doubles – I-Formation
General TacticIn the I formation, the net player straddles the center line. The server serves from the middle of the court (singles formation). The net player will move to the right or to the left after the serve. The returner must guess what the net ...
A Different Type of Doubles
DrillsTypical girls's doubles? Two girls are rallying crosscourt from the baseline while their partner's at the net are standing like statues watching the balls go by - happy not to get involved. We need to change that. A few methodological tr...
Be Consistent as you Start the Point
Serving Team TacticDoubles is a game of percentages. The winning team is not the one hitting the best shots but the one hitting the solid shots over and over.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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Serve to the Returners Weakness
Serving Team TacticThere is a big difference between playing against the returner’s strength or playing against the returner’s weakness.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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Take the Net away from the Opponent
General TacticAlthough the doubles game has changed recently and more players are playing from the backcourt, it is still a volley game.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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Fight to Catch all the Lobs in the Air
General TacticOne of the main strategies in doubles is to control the net. Fight to catch the lobs in the air.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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Play as Close to the Net as Possible, While Still Being able to Cover the Lob
General TacticThe closer you are to the net, the easier it is to volley. Be aggressive, move forwards and play as close to the net as the opponent will let you.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.
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