Doubles: Basic Doubles Signals

In doubles tennis, it’s super important to communicate with your partner to keep your game plan under wraps from your opponents. That’s where hand signals come into the picture, kind of like your own little secret language on the court.

Usually, it’s the net player who takes the lead on this, giving out the signals for the next move. They’ll signal twice: the first is to tell the server where to aim the serve, and the second is to indicate whether the net player plans to move or stay put. Here’s what those signals generally mean:

– One finger: This is the net player’s way of saying, “Hit it down the line or out wide.” It’s a heads-up to the server to target the edges, and a cue for them to prep for the return, ready to cover the open court.

– Two fingers: This signal is for serving right to the “T,” the spot where the service lines meet. It’s like a little nudge to the server, hinting, “Let’s try to jam the returner or split the opposition,” making it tricky for them to get a clean return.

– Three fingers: This is more of a niche signal, specifically calling for a “jam” serve aimed straight at the returner’s body. The whole idea is to limit their movement, making it awkward for them to hit a strong return.

What’s cool about these signals is how they let you and your partner sync up your strategy without giving anything away.

They’re especially clutch in tight matches when you want to mix up your serves and keep the other team guessing. But, the magic of these signals really shines through with practice and a solid understanding between partners.

The better you know each other’s play styles and what you’re both comfortable with, the more you can really leverage these signals to take control of the game.