10 Most common mistakes in Tennis Doubles and how to fix them!

Maybe you haven't played as much doubles in tennis before.
Maybe you're playing with more advanced players and you just feel like you've never played this game before!
You're in the wrong place at the wrong time using the wrong shots!
Don't worry because I'm showing you the 10 most common mistakes in tennis doubles and how to fix them!
These are the plays I used and learned from playing against and watching some of the best doubles players of all times: Martina Navratilova, Gigi Fernandez, Jana Novotna, Martina Hingis and Natasha Zvereva.
If you’re interested in having your tennis strokes analyzed, click here: www.meikebabel.com/stroke-ana... to book your analysis!
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[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Who takes the Middle (detailed version): kzbin.info/www/bejne/qF6lZ5upg8xrhtU

[@ingridrobertshaw2283]

You are saying exactly yhe damr thing as my coach, Colleen Cosgrove who taught @ PPRINCDTIN RAQUET CLUB, PRINCETON, NJ. she called it the "BALLSIDE SYSTEM. Thank you Meike!!

[@pongsujchu8809]

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[@thomasmedeiros5722]

Doubles is a team sport like basketball. The objective to isolate one opponent and double team them by hitting a shot that will allow your partner to cut off and intercept the return and hit a placement to win the point. As an old high school tennis coach I have watched a lot of doubles players playing singles with two players on each side of the net. Also like other team sports you have to slide towards the side with the ball to cover your zone. Each partner should be constantly adjusting to ball locations during the point. Often one partner will stand in a fixed position and just keep turning their head from baseline to baseline watching their partner and opponent have a singles rally. Doubles is difficult because it requires a great variety of tennis skills to implement effective tactics. This requires practice and lots of drills. In every sport that I have played we practiced what to do in common situations. Doubles players need to practice situational tennis as well as skill development. Just some observations from an old coach and doubles player.

[@adamh7947]

I never learned this when I was a junior and now at 43 I watched this video and got all these tips and I completely can dominate the net. This is such a good instruction for anyone who wants to really understand how to play doubles. And when you know this stuff, the other team doesn’t have any idea how you’re able to do it, they just think you’re a net monster. This is great stuff.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

That is such great feedback! That's exactly why I make my videos.

[@hpu8137]

This video deserves more views and more likes! If you want to play doubles better, come back time to time and re-evaluate yourself to see how much you have followed her points.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you for your kind words!

[@taniakane1270]

I kinda feel guilty lobbing people when they are close to the net but YOU’RE RIGHT! They INVITED me to lob them. Thanks for the absolution.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Death by lobbing (if done right :-)

[@ingridrobertshaw2283]

Thank you for being so clear. I am so amazed that the average doubles player does not see such a basic issue. A lot of points are lost because of wrong positions

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

You're right. Even at the highest level you see wrong positioning.

[@xPonta]

This was a really comprehensive overview about common doubles mistakes that I'm guilty of doing. I'll definitely try to stand back at net a little bit more while my partner is serving. Thanks for the great video!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Awesome! Glad you found it helpful!

[@chadbelgrave3033]

Whoa! I just learned a tonne about doubles. The camera angles while explaining were so helpful. This is high-level instruction from a high-level player with great tennis IQ. Wow, this was amazing. Thanks!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you so much for your kind words!

[@cybergrail]

Thanks! I feel really lucky to have found this video.

[@christophergerber6637]

Hallo, als ein ganz alter Fan von Dir (noch aus der aktiven Zeit...;-)) kann ich nur sagen: ALLERHÖCHSTEN RESPEKT. Die "essentials" für den klassischen "Club Level Player" toll runtergebrochen, mit einem Augenzwinkern erklärt (kultig: "They are world class"...;-)) und super Kameraführung. Richtig, richtig gut. Authentisch und praktiker-mäßig ohne diese häufig bei anderen zu sehende "Überheblichkeit" und das "Sendungsbewußtsein". Eher so ein "On court with Meike for some real hitting!". Geil. Weiter so.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Dankeschön!!! Genau darauf bin ich aus. Dass jedermann und -Frau den Inhalt benutzen kann.

[@doxtraxstudios1408]

Great doubles tips! Ha ha ... "a lot of players poach on anything that's yellow and is flying".

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

You've seen them :-)

[@fosterromano6674]

I always watch this video before a doubles match. Playing in one hour. Thank you

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Great to hear!

[@steffievideo]

Omg! Weekly Drill Clinics for 2 years and didn't grasp this. Thank You!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Come to denver for some of my doubles immersion camps I’m planning :)

[@steffievideo]

@@MeikeBabelTennis let me know when!

[@firstgabion7741]

I am about 4.0 in age of middle 40s, I took less unnecessary lobs and loose down the speed of first serve a bit, it help saving energy and win more games. This is a very helpful especailly when I face weaker opponents I can clearly observate their position to made pool timing judgement. I think this is one of the best videos of double tennis I will deliver to my player partners. Many Thanks coach !

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you for sharing

[@joniozq]

I’m just a 3.5 maybe on the cusp of 4.0. I’ve been more and more of a fan of starting a step back so I can get that forward momentum at net (even on returns). I find it also helps with my split step because I force myself to take that step and split right before opponent hits the ball. Instead of starting flat footed.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

That is exactly what the deeper position is meant to do. I should have made that clearer but you absolutely nailed it!

[@marcwente8943]

awesome video! I usually play singles and am just starting to get into double and been feeling a little lost, especially at the net. this is exactly what I needed. Very clear, easy to implement technical pointers. Going to level up my doubles game!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Glad I could help!

[@billprezioso3677]

Very nice to teach to us mere mortals too many videos give advice for greatly advanced players not those of us at the club level,well done and explaiapned.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

I started making videos for the clients I teach (mostly between 3.0-4.5) for exactly that reason: not enough for the club players out there.

[@biancamatic]

Hands down the most concise and clearest illustration on proper movement inside the court especially as a netter. THANK YOU!

[@rich.e]

Lots of great info here. Thank you, Meike.

[@renhoek3851]

That video taught me more than I learned playing years at a club! I've subscribed, hope to see more of this content. Thanks so much

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you!

[@phuongnam3421]

Thanks for your teaching. I really need to improve my skills in the volleyball catch

[@lenti37]

Thanks for all the tips, will try and put them into practice.

[@KrisSchindler]

Really terrific content, as usual! Thank you, Meike!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thanks Kris!

[@johnbishop8886]

Great tips!

[@tomkin1949]

I’m excited to have found your channel! A great compilation of mistakes and solutions.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

I'm glad you're here!

[@laurencecorray]

Loved it. Excited that I found your channel. Great instruction, you made it easy to learn. Thanks so much.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Awesome! I'm glad you're here! Feel free to recommend my channel to your tennis friends!

[@larryshobbies1454]

This is a top level doubles lesson (at least for us club players) that you’re just posting for free. Thanks and good luck with the channel!

[@alangoudie2299]

Thank you for a very helpful, easy to understand video.

[@AlfonsoFaustino]

Awesome lesson!

[@healthfullivingify]

Excellent, excellent, excellent instruction, master Meike.Thanks.

[@JnRGaming]

excellent tips here will watch later in full great content as always meike!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you! Feel free to share with your friends :-)

[@catherinedelf5749]

Really helpful thank you!!!!

[@pingnoble159]

Excellent stuff! Super helpful coaching with a really good understanding of what doubles game is going on the court. Thank you 👍

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you! Feel free to recommend my channel to your tennis friends

[@junejamie95]

Love it. Great strategy & great tips. Thank you very much

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Sure thing! Feel free to subscribe and recommend my channel to your tennis friends!

[@vincentpun123]

subbed. this is amazing!

[@unclejamo94553]

Great stuff- practical and comprehensible

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you! Please let your tennis friends know about my channel.

[@elongo1000]

Great advises for doubles playing! Thank you!!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Glad it was helpful!

[@NickNeras]

Love yours passion about tennis,Thank You!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you for watching!

[@sahmed1595]

Great video! Really educational!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Glad it was helpful! Feel free to recommend it to your tennis friends!

[@lindaplaylist9560]

One of the best I’ve seen. Thank you!!!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

You are so welcome!

[@samackin6032]

Fantastic advice. Thank you!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

You are so welcome! Feel free to subscribe and share my channel with friends!

[@anhvu3780]

Very good tips. Well done. Thanks.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thanks

[@BrunoCoutant]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

You are welcome!

[@wisch_mobb]

Thank you very much for these basic strategical insights and explanations. They will not only help me to make better adjustments on my own doubles play, but also help to analyse weaknesses of my opponents. I enjoy that theoretical content and prefer it a lot over pure technical issues in my current state of development. Thank you for you effort, Meike!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Great to hear! And yes, smart thinking to use it to analyze your opponents. I'll be doing more doubles content, too.

[@pylekate]

This is a GREAT video! Good explanations of the "why." Cheers!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Fernwald84]

Good and important points for doubles. Regarding front to back positioning of the doubles team, I think the staggered formation makes a lot of sense. When both players are at net, the player on the same side of the ball is around 4-6 feet closer to the net than the player cross court from the ball. This gives much better protection against the lob and makes it harder to pass the team through the middle. This is described in the wonderful doubles book, The Art of Doubles, by Pat Blaskower.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Great book!

[@kofyadega5341]

Truly amazing stuff Infact Meike am falling in love with you.Fantastic stuff.😀

[@jeremys5400]

Brilliant tips, so well explained and filled in lots of gaps about my doubles knowledge, thank you.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you! Did you check out my latest video: 10 most common mistakes in singles? Or do you just play doubles?

[@jeremys5400]

@@MeikeBabelTennis Dn't you worry going to work my way through your videos. I play a mix. Play for the bottom mens team in my club and we were talking about how we need to improve our doubles, video has been shared around group.

[@johnward8064]

Really good info.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lenromano6909]

Great video!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you!

[@pats300zx]

Great tips 👍

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you! I'm just getting started out and every click and nice comment (and subscribe :-) is great!

[@krushfield]

Wow. This is so good. Thank you.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Glad you like it!

[@jennydemmer3674]

i love your tips, you are defitnitely on my top tennis training videos to watch. thank you

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

That’s great to hear

[@angelagallegos2223]

Awesome dubs tips!

[@nestorzefferino6527]

Excellent! Extremely clear

[@nestorzefferino6527]

Thanks from Uruguay-South America

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Great to hear!

[@America2gether]

Awesome coaching. I would pay money to hear more of this excellent coaching....super stuff.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

I'm sure that at some point I have some specialty courses for purchase ;-)

[@fosterromano6674]

Very good advise for all doubles situations

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you! Feel free to share the video with your tennis partners :-)

[@robertaugustynowicz3841]

Really precise and logical explenations and coaching advice /

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

I appreciate that! Thank you for your support.

[@73crew59]

Wow this is a great lesson for me^^ Thank you for help

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Glad to hear that! Feel free to subscribe to my channel and recommend it to your friends!

[@brasileirosim5961]

You mentioned all the points that I am trying to improve in my team. By the way, I am 59 and I went through all kind of concepts in tennis concerning forehand, beginning in 1979 with something close to a continental grip. Your video on the topic (Alcaraz) is great! I never had a powerful forehand. Since I began to adopt a kind of next gen forehand I experienced an incredible increase in speed and spin. Perhaps it is less the result of the new technique, but more the attitude to really put everything into the forehand. The Swiss player Marc Rosset used this kind of forehand to win gold in single in the Olympics 1992.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Yes, he was one of the "younger" ones back then. Great serve as well!

[@jessb4421]

@@MeikeBabelTennis How long you have been doing the training videos? I've been playing 8 years and your instruction is superior, and have viewed over 1000 Training videos, What state are you in? Southwest Florida Regards Jess

[@Shaunsweeney-Kubach71]

Thank you for making such a great video Coach. I have seen club players almost get their heads taken off because they are way too close to the net. Great job Coach on saving lives 😊

[@brasileirosim5961]

I saw again your video and I noted that the partner of the guy serving is standing too far back in your system. The thing is that from this position is very difficult to poach when the ball comes cross. I need two more steps to get this ball. Most coaches will indeed say that you have to stay in the middle of the box. Yes, you are inviting the opponent to try to lob, but this is not easy if the serve is good. If my partner has a weak service, I can even decide to go to the baseline instead of standing at the net, going to the net at the first best opportunity. There is another problem. If I stand too far back the opponent can play a short topspin, forcing me to play a difficult low volley, and I am already on a lot of pressure. Thanks for the video!

[@karenhaltrecht2061]

Thank you! 👏

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

You're welcome!

[@enriquemorin5569]

Verey good video. Thanks

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

You’re welcome!

[@harryedwards9318]

Thanks excellent 😊

[@tennis47]

Yeah, very practical tips!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you! Feel free to subscribe to my channel and share with friends :-) I'm only getting started to every sub helps!

[@JanChodura68]

"pacman move" :D You are right of course

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

When I use that expression with kids some of them don’t know what Pac-Man was!

[@harryedwards9318]

Good lesson Mieke just have to say one thing , we are not just mere mortals maybe we weren’t lucky enough to have a rich parent or a parent coach when we were young . Thanks for your help though I really like your way of coaching also your backhand is wonderful 😊

[@jintaelee5288]

Very useful tips, thx! BTW where is 'the center of the half'?

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Can you give me the time stamp so I can answer your question?

[@saeedm]

What is the great introductory to doubles game, really like this video.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you! More to come!

[@ingridrobertshaw2283]

Colleen Cosgrove @ the Princeton Raquet Club taught me what you are showing. She calls it the BALLSIDE SYSTEM

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Lots of different names for smart playing :-)

[@jamesmirel428]

Very cool

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you!

[@jacksimmpson6267]

well, 3/4 position on the box might look nice. in fact most of the volleys contact points will be below the net line, which mean that each volley would have clear the net first. which means each is going low to high, not high to low

[@TennisWithDennis]

Great tips for club players but I also do would add that top doubles guru Louis Cayer has many other ways of avoiding doubles strategic mistakes? He encourages Jamie Murray to be right on top of the net when being servers partner. There’s also so many other strategies to adopt when you’re at the net you can be reactive, anticipate or have planned volleys. Great video and opens up interest and discussion!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

True, Jamie is on top of the net but he also has unreal reflexes and experience.

[@SharePointIn60Seconds]

I was with ya for a minute - however I have to translate all of this to lefty! LOL! Great tips though...my partners keep telling me to move so I won't get hit when I'm standing in middle of service box!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Yes, I know. You lefties always have the shorter straw. I will try to remember to give more info for lefties as well!

[@SharePointIn60Seconds]

@@MeikeBabelTennis It's ok - still great content and tips! Thank you!

[@henryanderson1773]

tq so much

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Welcome 😊

[@alfandosavant4639]

1st mistake is my partner 🤣🤣 Hugging the net and not helping me defend 😢

[@AK-by5xs]

Thank you for this video! Very helpful. I am assuming this advice equally applies to juniors (U12, U14) as well. My son tends to stay back at the baseline and as a result suffered against better net players. Do you have drills to get comfortable with transitioning to net and poaching? Thanks

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Make volleys a regular part of practice. Check out 12:30 Explanation for "Feed and attack" here kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKmlopWJaNWtr80

[@mantiskf2003]

11. Volleyer looking back to, perhaps psychically, aid their partners groundstroke or approach. Usually not psychic enough to predict that ball in the face though. Focus on the movements of the nearest threat opponent, their reactions will tell more about the quality of a partner's stroke.

[@doosrajawad]

Great stuff. Welcome to YT. Do you think some of the advice may vary by skill level. Most rec players belly up to the net because they are expecting to swat down easy ball with a frying pan grip. Poaching from the 3/4 position takes some advance anticipation and reaction times.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Yes, you are absolutely right that a lot of newer players stay close so they get the easy put away. Actually just saw that yesterday again :-) But they're getting beaten more often with easy lobs than they win points so I'd like to think that by moving back they won't limit themselves as much. And hopefully be motivated to go out and work on those things! And with your input you just gave my an idea for another video :-) I need to show the movement better. Thank you Jawad!

[@jessb4421]

Yes, learning how volly the ball from no mans land, actually, look up volly training techniques. Looking at using the racket as a weapon,,

[@kenkonundrum5538]

Seems to be basic introductory information but winning involves using the brain and making adjustments. For example, fully agree that server's partner should not normally hug alley, but how close partner starts out to the net should depend on quality of server's serving and how good returner is. If partner's serve is a lolly-pop second serve and you are too far from net but still in box then you may get topspin returns at your feet and may then even want to play way back. Have to be flexible and adjust to your partner's serve and also read opponents. Or, to the other extreme, if you have the reflexes with a good serving partner, you can be tight to net like pros. Sometimes Australian is a good call and mixing it up may throw off opponents. Don't be rigid.

[@jameshopkins950]

Great instruction (as usual). Question: I am a 4.0 who plays doubles exclusively. When I am returning serve, I sometimes get confused on ball place meant when both opponents are at , or are rushing, the net, and I am returning from the baseline.what are my options in this scenario. Thank you!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Sounds like the server is playing serve and volley. Either try to get the ball down to the server's feet or lob over the net man.

[@Skama1975]

At our level, 3.5, 4, if i stay 3 quarters from the net i get a lot of difficult balls coming fast under the net as they have little clearance from the net.

[@alastairtheduke]

Great stuff.At 5:29 you don't come to poaching spot you advise on point 1. (You're way closer to the net) I'm confused.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Let's assume I was further back and moved forward. This was just for the video and not realistic match play.

[@K4R3N]

Thank you

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

You're welcome, feel free to recommend my channel to your tennis friends!

[@K4R3N]

@@MeikeBabelTennis sharing widely

[@paf432]

Just learnt at least 7 reasons why I suck at Doubles (I'll reserve judgement on whether I just generally suck at Tennis) - this was very instructive. Thank you Meike.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

The good news is that you have great potential to improve :-)

[@franciscomanrique4979]

👍🏽👍🏾 Gracias

[@TennisOnAction]

I am rated 5.0 by USTA currently transitioning from single to double and most of my matches is against 4 to 5 rating players, I found difficultly to beat against the 5.0 unless I am very aggressive at the net. I think your tips will help for next match. Thanks

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Great, let me know how it went!

[@happyguycmb2883]

Very informative. But perhaps you should have mentioned re: poaching that "Montana" is not open if the opposing net player plays where you suggest. So it seems in that case you don't hit the poach shot down the middle but rather at him or to his left.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Yes, great point. You then have other options. IN the next doubles video!

[@taoboxer7]

Great tips, unfortunately where I play social doubles, it doesn't matter where my partner stands because the minute I serve or return the ball, he or she is going to start back pedalling up to at least three feet behind the baseline. And I am a serve and volley player by instinct LOL

[@kenialalora6535]

Love you

[@doosrajawad]

As the returner's partner, I am still trying to master the rapid focus switching of line judge, quick glance at partner's shot, goalkeeper, net monster dance. After the ball has passed the net person, you appear to plant closer to the net. Why not the same 3/4ths position as the server's partner?

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Great question! Once the ball goes by my opposite net player, I'm coming in a bit closer because I feel I have more time to read my opposite baseline player and can be a lot more aggressive. I did play closer up on my partner's serve when I played but for rec players I recommend the deeper position for mentioned reasons. At lower levels (I like to say levels of newer players :-), often times the serve is not quite as much of a weapon to set the net player up as it obviously is for higher players. The 3/4th position allows me to move up into a split step without then being too close to net as I would be if I started halfway and then move up. Does that make sense?

[@HecksTennis]

Got a doubles tournament coming up so I am sending this to my partner right now!! lol

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Awesome! Let me know how it went!

[@Willemtell1969]

Mistake #1: opponent standing as adviced here will get all the return balls on his feet, second his volley return will be very difficult because of low hitspot and a net that is relatively far away, third problem is if the serve is not very big the returner can easy pass the net player at the tramline.

[@opencurtin]

I do fear getting slapped in the head at the net by the server lol 😂

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

If that happens, do change your position (or partner :-)))

[@maxpowers3732]

With poaching what if your opponent is pulled out wide and off balance stretching for the ball on a good shot from your partner. Should you stay and cover the line or poach? You said to not try to go down the line if you have a good net player and your in trouble at the baseline on the run, so wouldn't that be a good time to poach?

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Yes, it can be a good time to move if you don't go too early and give it away. Too easy then to pull the ball down the line behind you

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Avoid these 10 most common mistakes in doubles.I'll show you how to fix them in this video!

[@TestTest-zk8xg]

when you standing at 3/4 you will get most retunrs at your feet

[@sandybartlett1333]

On the pro tour the net player in the servers side takes one huge step to get very very close to the net once the server serves a good serve. That's how they create ridiculous angles at net. Jack sock is famous for it. But of course they move back warda quickly I they don't poach the ball

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Yes, the pros are doing all kinds of things that rec players just can't do. I can't do a ton of the things anymore I used to be able so you have to adjust.

[@aaronblackmon5520]

On the deuce side I like to stand closer to the middle line for serve so I can aim for the T to bring the return to my partner

[@edgarvelardeortiz8508]

I recommed doing the drills with four players instead of two

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

yes, that would make more sense, but I had a hard time finding one volunteer :-)

[@edgarvelardeortiz8508]

@@MeikeBabelTennis : congrats, excellent videos!!!