Doubles Tactics

🎾 Doubles Tennis Tactics: The Art of Team Play

The Big Picture: Two Friends Working Together

Imagine you and your best friend are defending a castle together. One of you guards the front gate, the other watches the side door. If you both try to guard the same spot, the other side stays wide open! That’s exactly what doubles tennis is about — teamwork, communication, and smart positioning.

In singles tennis, you’re a lone wolf. In doubles, you’re part of a dynamic duo, like Batman and Robin. Let’s learn how to be the best tennis team ever!

🚀 The Four Pillars of Doubles Tactics

graph TD
    A["DOUBLES TACTICS"] --> B["Return Strategy"]
    A --> C["Serve Strategy"]
    A --> D["Covering the Middle"]
    A --> E["Lob Defense"]
    B --> B1["Target Smart"]
    C --> C1["Serve + Attack"]
    D --> D1["Who Takes It?"]
    E --> E1["Switch & Recover"]

1️⃣ Doubles Return Strategy

The Story: Choosing Your Target Wisely

Picture this: The ball comes flying toward you. Your opponents are standing like guards at two doors. Where do you hit it?

The secret? Hit it where it hurts them the most — but NOT at the net player’s face! That’s dangerous and bad sportsmanship.

The Magic Targets 🎯

Simple Example

Bad return: You hit it right at the net player. SMACK! They volley it past your partner. Point lost.

Good return: You hit it cross-court, low, at the server’s feet as they run forward. They pop it up. Your partner smashes it. Point won!

The Golden Rule

“Return cross-court 80% of the time. Surprise them 20% of the time.”

Think of it like rock-paper-scissors. If you always pick rock, they’ll always pick paper!

2️⃣ Doubles Serve Strategy

The Story: The Opening Move

The serve is like the first move in chess. A good serve sets up everything that follows. In doubles, the server’s partner is already at the net, ready to pounce!

The Three-Step Plan

graph TD
    A["SERVE"] --> B["Hit to Smart Location"]
    B --> C["Move Forward"]
    C --> D["Partner Attacks Weak Return"]

Where to Serve? 📍

Simple Example

Smart serve: You serve wide to the deuce court. The returner stretches and floats a weak ball. Your partner at the net intercepts and puts it away. High five!

Not-so-smart serve: You serve down the middle with no plan. The returner has easy angles. You’re in trouble.

The Partner’s Role

The net player should:

• Fake a poach (pretend to cross) to confuse the returner
• Move with the serve — lean the direction of opportunity
• Attack weak returns without hesitation

“A good serve is a gift to your partner!”

3️⃣ Covering the Middle in Doubles

The Story: The Invisible Hole

There’s a sneaky gap right between you and your partner — THE MIDDLE. If nobody covers it, the ball sneaks through like a mouse through a hole in the wall!

Who Takes the Middle Ball?

Here’s the simple rule most players use:

The Communication Secret

The #1 mistake in doubles? Both players go for the same ball… or NEITHER goes!

Fix it: Talk constantly. Use simple words:

• “Yours!” — You take it
• “Mine!” — I got it
• “Switch!” — We’re changing sides

Simple Example

The opponents hit a shot right down the middle. You and your partner both freeze, waiting for the other person. The ball bounces twice. Point lost.

Better version: Your partner yells “MINE!” and smacks a forehand volley. You cover the other side. Point won!

The Golden Triangle

Imagine a triangle in the middle of the court. That’s the danger zone. One of you must ALWAYS be ready to cover it.

graph TD
    A["Left Partner"] --> C["THE MIDDLE"]
    B["Right Partner"] --> C
    C --> D["Someone Must Cover!"]

4️⃣ Lob Defense in Doubles

The Story: The Sky Ball Emergency

Oh no! The opponents hit a lob over your partner’s head! What now? This is where many teams fall apart. But not YOU — you’ll learn the switch and recover move!

The Emergency Plan

graph TD
    A["Lob Over Partner"] --> B{Can They Get It?}
    B -->|Yes| C["They Run Back"]
    B -->|No| D["YOU Run Back"]
    C --> E["Partner Covers Net"]
    D --> E

The Switch Move 🔄

When a lob goes over your partner:

1. Partner chases the lob (runs backward)
2. You slide over to cover their side
3. You yell “SWITCH!” so both know the new positions
4. Reset — now you’re playing from opposite sides!

Simple Example

You’re at the net. A lob sails over your head. Your partner (who was behind you) sprints back, gets the ball, and hits a defensive lob back. Meanwhile, you’ve moved to cover the open court. The team survives!

Without the switch: You both run back. The middle is WIDE OPEN. Easy winner for your opponents.

Pro Tips for Lob Defense

🌟 Putting It All Together

Doubles tennis is like a dance with four people. When your team moves in harmony, you’re unstoppable!

The Winning Formula

graph TD
    A["SERVE SMART"] --> B["RETURN WISELY"]
    B --> C["COVER THE MIDDLE"]
    C --> D["DEFEND LOBS TOGETHER"]
    D --> A

Quick Summary

🎯 Final Thoughts: The Mindset

Great doubles teams share three things:

1. Trust — Believe your partner will do their job
2. Communication — Talk before, during, and after every point
3. Positivity — Celebrate good plays, forget bad ones

“In doubles, you win together and lose together. Make your partner look good, and you’ll both be champions!”

Now grab a partner and go practice! Remember: even the pros started exactly where you are now — learning, having fun, and getting better one point at a time. 🎾✨