Elevating Your Doubles Game

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In tennis, doubles is the game for most players—it’s fast-paced, strategic, and requires teamwork in a way singles never will. Mastering doubles means understanding how to control the court, support your partner, and capitalize on each shot. Here’s a quick guide to some essential doubles strategies to help you dominate the court, improve synergy with your partner, and play smarter. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned player, these tips will sharpen your doubles play and set you up for success!

1. Manage Your Court Real Estate:

Apply the 80% Rule: around 80% of shots land in the “Magic Diamond” near the center of the service box. Prioritize defending this area, particularly when moving to protect the middle. Even if you can’t reach every shot, positioning yourself toward the center increases your chances to make effective plays.

2. Embrace the Team Element:

Doubles is all about collaboration. Often, one player can position themselves for the winning shot without touching the ball! The server and receiver should focus on setting up their partner at the net, where winning points becomes easier. The net is where the magic happens! And the Saint Andrews Cross position is a great way to add some spice to your doubles play and really keep your opponents on their toes. Plus, it’s a whole lot of fun!

3. Be a Threat at the Net:

Assert yourself as a force at the net to pressure your opponents. Whether you’re a “blitzkrieg” type like our German friend Thomas, dominating with a powerful presence, or a quick mover like Tim, always aim to disrupt and provoke errors from the opposition with your positioning and movement.

4. Prioritize Your First Serve:

Aim for an 80% first-serve success rate by dialing back on power if needed. This approach gives you more control over the point, increases your chances to position for volleys, and helps your partner to be in an optimal spot for a winning play—a win-win-win! A solid first serve also keeps opponents on edge, giving you the upper hand.

Elevate Your Doubles Strategy: Play Smarter, Not Harder

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In doubles, success centers on controlling the Magic Diamond—the critical area where most of the play unfolds. Understanding this space adds new meaning to your positioning at the start of each point.
Doubles strategy is all about awareness of key patterns, with four players moving in harmony—like a well-choreographed dance. To elevate your doubles game, it’s essential to understand the primary patterns for each role: the server, returner, server’s partner, and returner’s partner.

Key Doubles Patterns

–  J Path: For the returner’s partner, this path involves starting laterally and curving forward toward the net in a “J” shape. This movement allows them to intercept cross-court shots and poach aggressively, putting pressure on the server’s team.
– V Path: The server’s partner follows a “V” path, moving diagonally to adjust to the return. By shifting back to cover deep shots or moving forward to intercept, they effectively cover key angles and support the server.
– Volley Targets: Mastering four key volley targets—center window, deep cross-court, down the line, and short angled volleys—improves your effectiveness at the net and maximizes pressure on opponents. (Read more –>)
– The Volleyball Approach: In this setup, one player acts as the “setter” to prepare the play, while the other is the “spiker” who finishes it, similar to volleyball.

Play Smarter, Not Harder

Certain court zones are high-traffic areas, while others—like the sidelines—are low-percentage spaces that don’t require constant coverage.
Typically, the serving team benefits from keeping the ball in the middle to support the server’s partner, while the returning team gains an edge by using wider angles to create opportunities.
By mastering these patterns, doubles becomes more intuitive. You’ll find yourself positioning strategically, maximizing efficiency, and truly unlocking the full potential of your doubles game.

Best Volley Targets in Doubles for Winning Points

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Using High-Percentage Spots to Win More Points.

In doubles, where you place your volleys can make all the difference in controlling the point and ultimately winning it.
Here are the four primary targets for volleys, each with its own high-percentage play to maximize your effectiveness at the net:

1. The Center Window (or “T” Area)

 – Why it Works: Aiming for the center window—the space between the two opposing players near the service line—is one of the highest-percentage targets in doubles. Hitting to the center reduces the angles opponents have to work with, forcing them to hit up rather than out wide.
   – When to Use: This is ideal when you’re in a stable volleying position and looking to keep the opponents on the defensive, particularly when they’re out of position.

2. Deep Cross-Court to the Baseline

   – Why it Works: A deep volley cross-court, aiming toward the baseline, forces the opponent farthest away from the net to retrieve the ball, making it harder for them to counterattack. This target also gives you and your partner more time to adjust your position and reset at the net.
   – When to Use: Use this volley target when you need to reset the rally or push the baseline player backward, taking away their time and reducing their ability to hit an aggressive shot.

3. Down the Line Near the Sideline

   – Why it Works: Going down the line can catch the net player by surprise, especially if they’re leaning towards the center to poach or cover a cross-court return. This target opens up space, as it forces one opponent to shift wide, often leaving gaps in their team’s coverage.
   – When to Use: This is effective if you notice the net player poaching or when you want to create movement and disrupt your opponents’ positioning.

4. Short, Angled Volley in the Service Box

   – Why it Works: A sharp-angled volley into the service box can exploit open spaces and make it difficult for opponents to retrieve the ball, especially if they’re positioned deep in the court. This shot takes time away from the opponent and requires them to cover a lot of ground quickly.
   – When to Use: This is best used when you’re close to the net and can control the angle effectively, or when you notice your opponents standing deep. It’s also effective as a finishing shot when you want to end the point outright.

How to Choose Your Target

Choosing the right volley target depends on several factors: your positioning, your opponent’s positioning, and the pace of the ball. By being aware of these four primary targets and selecting the right one based on the situation, you increase the likelihood of winning the point. Practicing these placements on the court will help you develop the precision and control needed to apply them in a match.