10 Biggest Doubles Mistakes

[@reyhanmmm]

it's like you're pointing out all my mistakes, except the "not subscribing" part 😂 will test your advices while playing tomorrow, thanks!

[@TabbyCat041]

Good list! You've caught me on several, including moving side to side rather than forward, back, or diagonal. I have also been taught to stand wide on my serves, but as I'm older and not as quick on the court these days, "lazy" can be more efficient.

[@lizspanner1332]

Wow, yes I identify with most of those 😂. I’ve been playing for just over a year and love the challenge, but find it really hard to know where I should be standing or moving to, so I panic and stand still. Thank you for not only breaking down different aspects of the game, but also including simple ways to improve. Love your channel, it’s so helpful! 😊

[@123Rockchild]

Great points for discussion! Thanks.

[@MarkHibbitt]

Really useful video, thank you for pulling together. Usually number 4 for me, I am guilty of moving side to side at the net rather than always moving backwards and forwards to close the net down! Again great video, many thanks!!

[@TheTennisMentor]

Thanks Mark, I hope that it works for you!

[@MarkHibbitt]

@@TheTennisMentor Think it was because I was taught to follow the line of the ball, you still see plenty of videos saying this is the way to go so you dont leave too much open space. Made more of an effort yesterday to move forwards and backwards rather than just side to side!!! Again thank you for creating a really helpful video.

[@marcelopuyol249]

Very important video. There are very few videos of doubles, when it is what is most played at the club level. Excellent tips. Thank you very much from Argentina.

[@cindycoleman182]

This was very helpful! I always try to protect the alley when playing the net! I learned so much from this and will look at this several times and put in play! Thank you!

[@TheTennisMentor]

I’m glad you found it useful! Stepping a little more towards the centre will feel strange at first, and you’ll get passed a few times but don’t let that deter you! Keep on your toes at the net, expect every ball to be yours and you’ll do great!

[@adjsidjaoda]

Great video, this would make an awesome 10-part doubles series. I'd watch that!

[@TheTennisMentor]

You read my mind 😉

[@rosamedouni2656]

Amazing video, great points

[@TheTennisMentor]

Thank you 🙏

[@tortoleromig]

Thank you like always Ash!

[@TheTennisMentor]

🤜🤛

[@sachadevelle]

Down the line on the first shot 😅 I like that advice

[@joed7331]

Thank you!

[@TheTennisMentor]

Thanks for watching!

[@gofish721]

Biggest pet peeve doubled mistake to me is regarding switching. I hate when I'm sprinting back from say the ad side to deuce corner to cover a lob, and I'm about to hit and my partner is still glued to the deuce side at the net. Granted I may not have called switch, but common sense dictates if I go back behind him, then he needs to slide over to cover the open side. This is so true when you play with a new partner. Some things should be instinctive...

[@TheTennisMentor]

You’re right, unfortunately it’s not instinctive for everyone, so when you’re with a new partner, it’s worth communicating as much as you can!!

[@linhmoberly4493]

Love ur double tips.. ❤. I will watch them over and over again 👍. Thank you. More of these videos please.

[@TheTennisMentor]

Thanks, I’m glad you liked them! 🙏

[@wonheebuckley4355]

Thank you for useful tips .

[@lanal3996]

👏👏👏👍Guilty of No 6. Great video!

[@meditationman415]

very very good, simple tips that look possible to implement for the beginner doubles player 👌

[@TheTennisMentor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ngdoug]

More doubles please 🥰

[@TheTennisMentor]

Coming up!

[@doty1933]

Great lesson. Give us more!

[@TheTennisMentor]

👌👌

[@davewhitehead5116]

Very good list. I asked an excellent doubles player how he chose which side to play on. He thought the player with the better back-across backhand return of serve should get that side. I especially like your idea of moving forward at the net instead of sideways. I’m surprised that many highly ranked doubles players don’t do it.

[@jayapragashv4273]

Great coaching!

[@winstonbrooks2206]

Really good video..Please do more on serving and court positioning pls

[@Ilichi]

Thanks. Great video!

[@TheTennisMentor]

Thanks for watching!

[@sohailchoudhry5568]

Excellent video 👏

[@villek6639]

on "8. Serving position"... I feel S&V is a lot more natural in doubles from a wide position, as you can "follow the ball" and you are always in position (on the path of expected return to cover). If serving from close to the T, need to move out, to get in position, it is awkward. Anyway, I want to change the serving position every once in a while , to stay unpredictable. :)

[@beeth1362]

Thanks, those are great tips. I appreciate them.

[@TheTennisMentor]

You’re welcome!

[@s41magazine37]

Guarding the tramlines is very much partner dependent. If you have a partner who hits weak, short groundstrokes, it's easy for your opponent to hit down the line. They don't have to be very accurate. They drive it at you as well.

[@atheistcory4174]

I agree. These days I rarely play with a partner who is strong enough for me to stand centrally.

[@TheTennisMentor]

You’re right that your opponents will have more opportunities to attack down the line if your partner is setting them up, but I would still suggest the position I mentioned in the video. If you stand in the middle of the service box rather than nearer the singles line, you’ll still have half of the alley covered in just one step (leaving a very small gap for them to pass you). This way, you get involved in the point earlier. If they’re consistently passing you through that gap (which rarely happens) then they’re great players and your partner is not hitting them, you could start both back and work your way into the net on your own terms. Protecting your tramlines will just invite your opponent to have an easy cross court shot, back to your weaker partner…

[@darrenbrundell8406]

Really helpfull. Thanks.

[@TheTennisMentor]

My pleasure!

[@jorgwalzer3017]

Like almost all of your content, this is very helpful, thanks at lot! Actually, I make a lot of these mistakes, in particular watching the ball and guarding the tramlines. I will work on avoiding them in future.

[@TheTennisMentor]

“Almost”? 🤣

[@TennisAddict83]

Great content as always ☺I definitively serve too much wide instead of T because my wide serve is way better than my T serve. I try to work on my serve variations this winter 💪

[@TheTennisMentor]

🙏 adding a little variety will make you much tougher to beat!

[@lanlam879]

Great observations! I certainly commit at least half of those mistakes. Have you come across net players who stand with their belly button almost touching the net, and just smack down the balls when they happen to intercept them? I have tried lobbing them but they are tall and the ceiling is low 😢.

[@TheTennisMentor]

Thanks! Get practicing your lob, it’s an effective shot in doubles when hit well. Otherwise, hit hard and low!

[@EdmonBegoli]

@tennismentor (Ash) - thanks for the video! Could you please make a few more focused on doubles specific skills - serving down the T (typically a low % serve), when to poach, how to play from the baseline, what volleys …

[@TheTennisMentor]

Thanks for the suggestions, I’ll look to make some of those. I made a poaching video a while back, here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHqVepahp7J0mcUsi=B7QwMCRd2veKdpML

[@rsh8057]

I.m a lefty and so guilty for serving wide on both deuce and ad. I feel my partners like to watch the line so this forces them to get involved. On deuce i do setup wide next to the alley so I can pretty much guarantee a forehand if the ball gets by my partner. But on a big point, i will place it on the T on the deuce side or into the body ad side.

[@건하김-r8i]

Serving from center to opposite T takes much more space to cover after serving.Whereas serving slice from the outside to deep opposite will force the opponent to return to my partner who is near the net. I can't see how serving from the center to T would help in doubles much more than serving from outside to deep.

[@coachhannah2403]

I love "forehands in the middle!" My best serve is wide, and I get to attack both backhands! I am working on my T serve... 😎

[@Harderanger]

Brilliant video thanks! I’d love to know your thoughts as to why there’s been so much less British ladies doubles success compared to men’s over the last 10 years. Feels like we were in a poor position on both sides until the last decade or so. Does Cayer work more with men? Are there just not as many pro British females out there?

[@nobodycouldhavethis]

Moving forward and back at the net - still not exactly sure what to do there

[@Stuen4y]

Number 4 for sure. Being aggressive at the net is something that doesn't always work if your partner is having a bad day and for me can lead to unforced errors if I am to aggressive. Playing the numbers game would increase my chances. Thank you geometry. And coach Ashley of course

[@Tennis_7.]

How do I not hesitate when I’m hitting a ball

[@NamesAreRandom]

Something you didn't mention and my biggest frustration in a partner is inability to change. They have one way of playing, one position they stand in and that's that. This isn't working, can we try... - no! Ask me again and I will get upset with you. Oh... :( My weakness is perhaps another you missed - being that irritating person who is too keen to intercept but keeps not quite making it. My second weakness is ending up in the middle of the net and my partner behind me has no idea if they are meant to be covering to my left or right - drives my wife (who has to play with me sometimes) mad!

[@TheTennisMentor]

On your first point, it’s tough playing with a partner stuck in their ways, I’d get them to watch this video 😉 or find a new partner (unless it’s your wife 😅) On your second point, I encourage my players to play more like you do. But, to save those situations where you get stuck in the middle, plan your poaches. Tell your partner that you will poach after they’ve hit their first serve, that way, you’ll be more committed to the poach and your partner can switch and cover the other side. Generally, the reason you’re not quite reaching the interception is because you’re too far back, close the net down as you poach to cut off the angle.

[@bjindal01]

I make all these mistakes 😅

[@TheTennisMentor]

I don’t think you’re alone 😁

[@raytrace2014]

Re covering the tramlines, what about those occasions where you are playing social tennis and your partner has a really weak serve? It's easy for the receiver to hit down the line or whenever they like. Never sure whether to be at the net or stand back.

[@TheTennisMentor]

If they’re punishing your partner’s serve, starting both back and working into the net at the right moment is a good tactic. Mixing it up now and again is a good way to keep the returner honest!

[@raytrace2014]

@TheTennisMentor thanks. As a relatively strong player when I play social tennis I'm always partnered with the weakest player, often an elderly player or a near-beginner, so I'm looking for tactics that work for that situation.

[@donavansmalley4146]

Do we get bonus points for being guilty of all of the above??? 😅

[@TheTennisMentor]

Top marks, 10 points 😄

[@coachhannah2403]

Yes!

[@zetristan4525]

Ashley, what's your opinion about avoid serving into your partner? I serve pretty big, and just twice when the ball got caught in my strings, it hit him painfully, with occasional close shaves (ad side, cos I'm right-handed). I felt terrible about it and, to avoid it playing on my mind, I started asking partners to stand to the _left_ of the centre line, dominating the court, while opponents would mostly struggle to return consistently up the line. But in pro doubles, they just risk it?!? Seen Bob Bryan serve Mike Bryan in the head💥 (deuce side, cos he's left-handed)

[@olliepearcetennis]

Sorry I’m not Ashley. But hope this may help. If it is mainly happening on the Ad side. I would alter your positioning. Server from nearer to the singles line on the Ad side this creates a bigger angle and wil help you find your opponents backhand (if they are right handed). It will also mean the ball won’t have to travel so close to your partner. Not only that but if you serve from near to the singles line on the Ad side then you will find it easier to get on to your forehand (if your forehand is a strength) on your next shot 👍🏻. The only downside with this like Ashley said is it does create a bigger angle for the returner, however generally most players find backhands harder and therefore there return is likely to be weaker 👍🏻. Hope that helps

[@zetristan4525]

@olliepearcetennis Thanks for good thoughts, I do serve from wide when my partner stands on the right. I wonder what happens physically in that ugly situation where the ball gets "trapped in the strings" on a heavy kicker. By now, I'm so used to my partner standing left of centre. It frustrates returners, and my slice T serve often ends up behind their partner. Wish I'd used this formation most of my life🎾

[@TheTennisMentor]

Good advice from Ollie, but before you mentioned it I was going to suggest ‘Aussie’ formation, where you and your partner both stand on the ad side (as you described). Not only will this save your partner’s head, it gives you more freedom and variety on your serve, but more importantly, you’ll both (most likely) have a forehand on ball 3 if you’re righties.

[@zetristan4525]

@TheTennisMentor Yes, exactly, I get a lot of forehands on those crucial points! (I assume you meant/recognised we both start out slightly on the left side of the court) Are the blows pros are taking in the head worth it? Seen so many - and the culture is to laugh it off, but I haven't checked the damage. I know an Aussie cricketer was killed by a ball to the back of the neck - much heavier/rigider ball than we use in tennis.

[@olliepearcetennis]

@@TheTennisMentor Annoyed I didn’t think of that one! 😂

[@harlanzip]

It’s tough because I normally play with such a weak players that these strategies really don’t work

[@TheTennisMentor]

With or against weak players?

[@harlanzip]

@ both 🤣 local club old guy night

[@jfkilk]

Then maybe you could share these tips with the "weak" players and help your club get stronger?

[@zetristan4525]

Other big mistakes are 1. Netplayer not adjusting position sufficiently according to how the point is going, failing to take advantage or becoming a sitting duck🦆 2. Each player covering a rectangular half of the court. The netplayer should know all the territory he can possibly cover faster than his partner, and the baseline player must try cover the rest. (While certain slivers near the outer lines remain exposed for opponents' riskiest winners/lobs, as Ashley mentioned in the video)

[@TheTennisMentor]

Great minds think alike 😉 I actually spoke about these two points in previous doubles videos!

[@MicheleAria]

Thanks for the advice they will never expect me to slam the easiest smash into the net, or double faulting on 30-40 hitting my partner, never let them know your next move

[@123Rockchild]

🤣

[@Scott-ur3zv]

I’m guilty of all of them 🤫

[@cmhtc69]

Hallo watching ist Common in professional tennis

[@errorerror1337]

Dude, following #2 has recently COST me so many points. Maybe the rec players I'm up against are just great passers, but no thanks. I'm going back to covering my alley.

[@Mel-nm1ve]

Guilty in all points 😅😕😱🤷‍♂️😭

[@TheTennisMentor]

You’re not alone 😅

[@jeantrudel292]

Completlyagreee with everything here except the mention of serving position in Error #8. Standing wide to serve down the T is not harder, in fact you have anywhere from 4 to 6 inches more “runway” to land the ball than if you are tight to the center… more margin for error. It’s geometry… expecially useful if you are under 6 foot tall…

[@TheTennisMentor]

I’m not sure I understand what you mean by runway? I think that you mean extra distance? If so, yes, the target is further from you, but if you hit a little too short your serve will land in the wrong box, so in fact you have a much shorter runway? Sorry if I misunderstood you?

[@jeantrudel292]

@ If you stand at the edge of the alley and serve down the T you have a extra distance from where you can land the ball in the court. If you serve short and serving it out of the court, you’re not very cognizant of your target… If you stand wide and serve wide you’ve got even more distance, i.e. margin for error. It also lets you put a bit more power behind your serve because you have that additional distance…

[@jeantrudel292]

And it also makes it easier (safer) for nervous net players to stand in the right place without the fear of getting hit. However, executing a planned poach where the server must cover the alley is more demanding physically.

[@cmhtc69]

Calling Switch and stay is hinderance

[@TheTennisMentor]

As long as you call whilst the ball is travelling towards you it’s not. It can be if you call after you’ve sent the ball back

[@coachhannah2403]

One thing: it is the partner's primary job to call close balls to relieve your partner to hit the ball. Then, once you don't call the ball out, turn instantly and examine the net player!

[@DrAnac-qh5dc]

RE: tip #1, why does nearly every pro doubles player watch the ball at various times as it passes them so they can see where their partner is and what type of shot their partner will hit and if they should switch? Not watching the ball pass you depends on the type of shot hit and pace. Especially with lobs, it is extremely common, and smart, to look back and see where the ball will land and determine where you should go based on what your partner is doing. It's also helpful if the ball looks like it is going long to be able to call that for your baseline partner as they may be more focused on hitting the ball and not notice it was a couple inches out.

[@TheTennisMentor]

You’re right, there are definitely some exceptions, the lob being a good one! When you have the extra time that a lob gives you, then you can get away with a quick glance to see what’s happening behind you but you want to be facing your opponents before the ball reaches them, that is the key. The reason I list it as a big mistake is most people do it as a habit on most shots (I used to!)… generally, facing your back to the net works against you.

[@heppi2168]

When your Doublespartner plays single are you there for him to call out Balls? Do you have so little trust in your partner?🤔 When the ball is behind you, you should always Look at the opponent's netplayer, Trust your partner doibg the best He can, you will gain time to react to the netplayer's moves...i assure you that pays out 👍

[@kevanashy]

First mistake is playing doubles in the first place! Singles only thank you. 👍

[@TheTennisMentor]

😂😂

[@silverporsche81]

Wow. None

[@TheTennisMentor]

I’m seriously impressed!

[@silverporsche81]

@TheTennisMentor love you man

[@mightbefire]

You're going to have some serious neck problems if you don't start tilting the other way a little

[@TheTennisMentor]

🤣🤣 oops… even my emojis are doing it!

[@mightbefire]

@@TheTennisMentor oh no!!!

[@James-qv1dr]

What about hitting your partner in the back of the head whilst serving? 😂

[@TheTennisMentor]

😅😅

[@drago7840]

19 years? These 10 things are it?

[@aymansyed1351]

Yeah, aren't you lucky he's made a video to help you!?

[@mtarneaud]

Thank you. Very helpful tips