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Doubles strategy

Tennis / Popular

Positioning, poaching and formations for doubles.

What coaches agree on

  • Push forward to the net together when your team has the advantage, and drop back for more time to react when you or your partner are under pressure.
  • Keep your eyes on the opposing net player rather than your own partner, since they are the one who can hurt you first.
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  • Read whether your opponent's groundstroke is hit from the outside or inside of their body, since that predicts a crosscourt or down-the-line reply.

Common mistakes

  • Hitting an attacking ball to the baseliner or down the middle instead of at whichever opponent is closer to the net, who has the least time to react.
  • Moving to poach or cover before the opponent has actually struck the ball, which telegraphs the move or leaves a gap open.
  • Trying to overpower the ball or end the point on every shot instead of playing a consistent ball that sets up your partner.