Why you LOSE at doubles (tennis strategy)

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#doubles #tennis #lesson
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[@EssentialTennis]

Ready to upgrade your doubles game and start winning more matches? Get started at www.TextbookDoubles.com

[@thomasmedeiros5722]

As an old high school tennis coach doubles is a very important part of our league matches. In coaching doubles I emphasize the advantage of coordinating with your partner to double team one of your opponents. My players that also played basketball, hockey and soccer seem to understand this concept. Doubles is actually more difficult for players at the lower levels because more skills are required to use the tactics and strategies your coach recommends. So hitting ground strokes wide towards the side doubles alley allow your partner to cut off the return and place the ball between your opponents. This tactic requires volley skill and team work. Also my players that also play those other sports understand the concept of Zones and coverage. Some of my best doubles players have been hockey players. They are fearless in attacking the net. I spent lots of time coaching skills and practice situations they will encounter in match play. Most recreational players never do this. When I have coached our USTA Community Tennis Association doubles teams we work on this before matches. So many players just play and play and make the same mistakes year after year. You got to do the drills to build the skills and practice the way you want to play.

[@EssentialTennis]

Love it! Keep up the amazing work, Coach!

[@microsickful]

I wish I can take lessons from you...

[@evanc.2382]

Agreed. I always say, "everyone makes mistakes, but... what's up with people making the same mistakes over and over?" Come on! By the way, volleyball is another sport that gives position experience.

[@debbypajerowski5690]

This video of yours has drastically changed my game!!! All of your doubles strategy videos are soooo helpful. I'm a beginner tennis player and had really no idea about doubles strategy. I was doing it all wrong until I saw this video! Yesterday in doubles I played so much better!! Thank you!!

[@LeslieTaylor]

Appreciate this video - thank you! I live in Japan and attend a tennis school here. (As a side note, these are pretty popular here because it's one of the few ways to play tennis regularly. There are only a handful of public courts which are difficult to reserve at a good time.) At our tennis school, we play almost exclusively doubles during our game time. They don't use NTRP (or UTR) so I can't say for sure, but my guess is I'm a strong 3.5 in doubles. Whenever we play with our coach, what you say holds 100% - he hits down the middle regularly. I will keep this in mind with him for sure! But when we play other students, I see alley shots far more frequently, and usually they are pretty accurate. Perhaps because we play slower than higher level players typically do so it's an easier shot. At any rate, I feel like it's hard to find a good position that doesn't leave one side open to get passed. I've been compensating by focusing on my directional motion, and keeping my feet as lively as possible at the net. Open to any other thoughts though. Btw, reading through your book atm and really enjoying it. Thanks for all your content and hard work!

[@EssentialTennis]

Thanks so much for your support, Les! Keep up the good work on your game!

[@marcgabor9690]

Lots of good tips in here. I find that at the intermediate level, there's some interesting stuff that happens, people at net who have good ground strokes but are still working at some kinks at the net, slower second serves and returners who can redirect the 2serve up the line fairly easily. Doubles is all about adapting to what's happening on the court. For example, if I know my partner has a weak serve, I won't play up because I don't have the most amazing hands and I just end up being a target.

[@EssentialTennis]

That's super smart, Marc! Your in the moment tactics should always reflect the reality of what's working and what's not.

[@damndaniel605]

I agree, at intermediate levels, especially on second serves, depending on how good the second serve is, the net player has to adapt and move more to the outside so as to not give the opponent a much easier ball down the line than you would normally get. this opens up th emiddle of the court of course, but if the returners are hitting good returns on weak second serves, I'd rather they hit them to the server than the net player. I do find that starting in a more offensive or more 5.0 position does give you an eedge in most situations tho, and I've been working on that in my doubles personally as well

[@tomsd8656]

You have to test the levels of all players. If the guy on the other side can crush a return from a weak serve then you have to stay back. If he doesn't have the skill to do that consistently then you can stay at net and invite him to hit at you. There has to be movements up and down the net because if two partners play back, that makes the opponents comfortable. I can kick my second serve with decent pace, so unless I play a player significantly above my level, like a 5.0 and above, I am not afraid he would crush a return off of my second serve. I've been paired with partners who were not comfortable at net but I asked to stay there anyway, moving up and down depending on situation, try to make the volley in front (not late) and not move the head while hitting the volleys. I didn't care how often they missed, whether we won or lost. But eventually, they improved net play a lot and started to like it there.

[@bigshaqdragon9653]

"In tennis, you can't cover the whole court." Nadal, Djokovic : hold my grand slam trophies.

[@EssentialTennis]

😆

[@alangoudie2299]

Thank you for a very helpful video.

[@ND-9]

This reminds of a mixed doubles match I was in. I got beat down the line. My partner beat me up for most of the first set about watching the alley. Needless to say we got torched up the middle. She was still upset. I couldn’t win and we didn’t win. Thx for this video👍🏿

[@chevybabe1999]

That's exactly where I stand - the correct way that is! And move forward once the ball has passed the opposing net player.

[@InfinityX2]

For many netplayers being passed down the line is seen as a failure as it is “their area to cover”. At the start I always gamble a couple points going down the line. If I score they will cover it even more if they volley my shot away they still are mentally preparing for the down the line. Hence the netplayer is more predictable.

[@EssentialTennis]

Unfortunately that is entirely tru, although, if most players actually kept a win/loss Talley of how many points they actually lose down the line, they would realize they are winning the battle

[@amyb8085]

Great video ~ thank you

[@EssentialTennis]

You're very welcome, Amy

[@paulhowsurridge2391]

Brilliant commentary. A logical and successful strategy that works for me.

[@villek6639]

Yes! I was taught to expect the opponent being able to pass me down the line at least once or twice in a match (and accept and applaud). Focus on dictating the center. Then again, I do purposefully try to hit a DTL return some time early in a match, if I have a handle on the opponents serve... just to make the opposing service partner worried about the alley. But then again, in mixed doubles, the most difficult of tennis games, every rule might get broken. :D And well, I do play with guys who bluntly disagree on my "rules" of the doubles game... to me the one closest to net takes it and winners are made at the net, so I do S&V (not every point!) even if I get burned a few times, I do come to the net on returns, I do switch sides at the net etc.

[@samirpsu]

Helpful, but recommend editing to show the points a few times. Im scrolling to see how the points play out, then going back to hear the commentary. This clip never showed the 5.0 point play out, so tough to reach your conclusions and learn.

[@annwest8232]

Thanks

[@allanpatrick4105]

Allan Patrick - awesome. I'll use these techniques! Thanks.

[@EssentialTennis]

You're very welcome

[@MrHitthespot]

I’m not sure I completely agree with this. At my club the 3.0 and 3.5 players can’t hit the ball hard enough, or if you will make a good enough shot, especially on weak second serves, that if you don’t cover the line, you can bet that’s where the ball is going. Right down the alley. Tooo easy a shot off of a Weak players return. If they are better players say 4.0, then your strategy makes great sense.

[@Ogarocious_dance]

Great video! The video analysis you did, was this done on a computer or iPad? Is there a particular app or software you are using? I'd like to do similar videos with my dance students, thanks in advance!

[@EssentialTennis]

Great job with your videos! To do the video analysis in this lesson I dropped clips into Final Cut Pro where I can use the mouse or arrow keys to go back and forth. Then I recorded the viewer on the screen using Ecamm Live. Hope that's helpful.

[@Goondius]

Hmm so that’s kind of interesting. I’m just starting to get the hang of tennis, and doubles even less so, so the senior players keep telling me to “just keep to your alley”. So with that clear message in mind: when returning I ran directly from the middle to the side *every* time and when on the serve side Al already started so far outside. And honestly I never *really* got to actually play the game when on the net and it was quite frustrating. Yet when I did try to shift to the middle the opponent did a clear line shot and I couldn’t defend. When watching at the percentages though are you now telling me to, prioritize intercepting middle shots while somewhat looking at line shots and kind of just accepting it when they do go for the line shot and succeed as it has a way higher chance of failing? I would really like to try that playstyle as it seems way more involved than the other. While I may not be confusing my baseline by shifting around too much with the old playstyle that one seems more akin to a cross field singles game wit stationary h walls on the long line side than actually doubles. Love this kind of content btw.

[@EssentialTennis]

Awesome questions, Hoang! The key to your success is understanding that there is no ONE place you can stand and both 1) intercept balls in the middle and 2) keep from getting beaten down the alley too much. This lesson will explain how to shift and get the best of both worlds: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHelYaqYqZaNm5Y

[@EssentialTennis]

No disrespect to your partners....but "cover your alley" is the lowest level form of doubles strategy possible. It's the most safe, most defensive, and most passive way to play. Totally fine that you're starting out that way....but you can do much, much better 😊

[@Goondius]

Ah it makes sense that really is the most passive form of play. Hence why I am feeling like I am barely doing anything at all.

[@EssentialTennis]

Exactly!

[@chevybabe1999]

I only tell my partner to watch her alley as I know a few players that CONSISTENTLY go down the line. Wide, short, or deep that ball will go down the line if net person moves too soon.

[@RedesignYourLifeNow]

In my last tournament final this past month, I asked my partner & I to start squeezing the middle after losing the first set 6-2. With that strategy & switching sides in the second set, we won 6-4 and kept that pressure into the super tiebreaker for a 12-10 win for us. . This was our first 4.0 / 4.5 tournament win because we had strategies that worked that really got under our opponents skin. Love it!

[@scottcarson3059]

The problem you have to consider is better players have better serves so its harder to hit down the Alley! Against a weak serve you easily cream someone down the line hence you have to cover the Alley if your parter has a weak serve

[@EssentialTennis]

Yes.....but remember, EVERYTHING is better at higher levels. Forehands, backhands, serves, volleys, everything. The server has more ability to hit a great serve but the returners also have more ability to hit great returns. And yet, these players cover the middle over the alley.

[@josefiguera4042]

what is your take on starting the point on the return both players at the baseline vs the returning partner just behind the "T" like your last example? I only favor the baseline when the server has an amazing first serve but on low levels that is rare... thx

[@EssentialTennis]

Yup, I agree with you, Jose: when a server has a huge serve and/or a returner just can't hit a quality shot that challenges the server's partner enough then backing up close to the baseline can be the best option. Otherwise you just end up being a sitting duck/target over and over by the T.

[@chevybabe1999]

@@EssentialTennis we've made that adjustment on several occasions. It keeps the ball in play ONE more time. Sometimes defense is the best offense!

[@Sweeney-Kubach]

Follow the ball!

[@shellyjude6361]

I tried this last night and the opponent got so many winners down the line.

[@kpso1323]

Good points. But I just want to say another angle, that maybe there is a reason why the lower level player play the way they do. A better position described here require more skills. To cover the middle at service line means you need to be comfortable hitting balls come straight at you, do half volleys, among other things. When I play with a better player, I would stand rather passively so the better player could cover more, and when I play with a less skilled player, I would want them to cover the down the line and leave the middle to me. With lower level, the serve is less of a threat, it's much easier to control the return, so leaving the alley open just may not be as good a strategy as in higher level matches.

[@marktace1]

My positioning is pretty good but I tend to follow the ball a bit too much on wide serves. It is a good habit at other times but DTL returns are rare on wide serves.

[@EssentialTennis]

Definitely important to be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the returner!

[@8towely]

Loved this im a 3.5-4 player the return serve position I hadn’t payed enough attention to before and doubles coaching isn’t so common This made such a difference. I love the net but probably was to aggressive at times leaving the court open. Loved this video look forward to more doubles videos

[@roccoedwards]

The quality of the server has to be factored in when positioning too. If my partner has a weak serve that the returner can do anything with, then I'm not leaving the line open, but also backing away from the net since I turn into an easy target. If my partner has a good serve then I'm pinching the middle way more.

[@farriskhan2352]

On the return (for the net player), what about standing next to the "T" upright, very aggressively in the middle? I feel like it may alter may opponents serve a bit by doing that and perhaps my partner can take one step towards the alley when receiving the serve. I am visually blocking the line of sight for the server and perhaps making them a bit nervous or at least subconsciously forcing them to serve more towards the alley, which is a lower percentage serve. I would think this would work in intermediate tennis.

[@pakchu2]

Do you have any data on service games won, particularly singles, for players of various ratings? I have a feeling there is actually a serving disadvantage in a match between two players of equal rating below the 4.5 level.

[@EssentialTennis]

I don't have that data on hand but it would be interesting to see. I think your theory is a good one!

[@pakchu2]

@@EssentialTennis Possible explanations: 1. Weak serve, particularly 2nd serve gives opponent 1st aggressive opportunity/and or frequent double faults 2. Poor/slow recovery and grip change immediately following the serve What do you think? You should do a video on this, if it's true.

[@EssentialTennis]

Definitely a great video idea...

[@maxpowers3732]

Isn't part of it also that the higher level players have better serves? I play on a 4.0 league and a lot of my partners have weak serves, especially second serves. So it's relatively easy for our opponents to rip a winner down the alley. Where should I stand with a partner who has a weak serve? Definitely agree about the server's partner though in all cases.

[@paulczerner3286]

If the receiver's partner stands in the middle, the volley can come right at their feet, really hard to get.

[@EssentialTennis]

It is hard. Not as hard as not covering it at all.

[@ttwarrior1]

McEnroe recommends playing on that 3.5 spot

[@hafadaze9046]

In our 5.0 doubles almost similar but the returner’s partner stands a little further like almost to no man’s land.

[@BIGLOVE4TRUTH]

Yesterday, I played a USTA doubles league match at 3.5 level. We were up 4-0. Lost the first set 6-4. Lost the second set 7-6 🤯. Shoulda couda woulda.

[@peltotalo]

I have been hit too many times by my partner's serve to stand near the middle. I am gun shy now.

[@EssentialTennis]

Yikes! Sorry to hear that!

[@mauriciodenardipeterlevitz3694]

Great video , with great comparisons between the most common levels, seeking for instructions . I would give 3 likes if I could.

[@stmstar3]

I stand closer to alley in doubles as I don't trust when my partner serve

[@thedom3403]

2 back on return. I formation on serve. This is the way.

[@EssentialTennis]

Powerful stuff!

[@commonwealthedison2640]

What happened to the podcast?

[@EssentialTennis]

No time lately, sorry 😥

[@luciacaro6382]

I've just lost a match with that error 😞

[@applesforakbar]

I disagree with parts of this. The net player is shadowing a) the ball movement, you move back as you receive, and in as your teammate hits and b) your left and right movement is dictated by what the other net player is doing. You're in constant movement.

[@dmf30]

you are correct in my opinion. The net person is moving up and back and side to side moving with the ball.

[@EssentialTennis]

Yes, you're both exactly right....but the timing has to be there as well!~ I'm assuming you're talking about the example at 9:45? His movement was correct assuming the ball makes it past the opposite net player....but it didn't! He was too early making his transition forward which left the middle more open than it should have been. Correct movement, wrong timing.

[@EssentialTennis]

If you're referring to a different example definitely let me know.

[@franky2803]

Very counter-intuitive. But it seems to make perfect sense statistically. Will try it out next time.

[@Sandy-ge9ts]

3.5 doesn’t have powerful serve. That is why they need to cover the ally more

[@EssentialTennis]

3.5 also doesn't have big, powerful returns of serve (compared to 5.0)

[@paulczerner3286]

It's better to hit an error than to be a loser (the recipient of a winner), because at least you made contact with the ball.

[@EssentialTennis]

I agree, that's why covering the right spots on the court is so critical.

[@jlook6070]

Why isn't the strategy to just keep the point going as long as it takes to get an opponent to error? Just defend no need to attack? Consistency since there is less open space to attack?

[@EssentialTennis]

Sometimes that is the best play.

[@GeraldMH488]

I'm not going to disagree with the theory, rather just tell you my experience as an x college player now coach. This may work at 3.0,3.5, some ladies 4.0, however. The only way this works at higher levels is if you or your partner have dominant serves or have established a rhythm on returns, on one or both of the opponents serves. Other than that you better be friends with who you're playing. In conference in college, we were Coach two back on first serves to allow for a better defensive chance in the event we're facing good servers. Second serve, the returner's partner walks closer. However if you play middle & service line as the returner's partner, the last place you want to be is there, your partner isn't getting that ball past the poacher. I did that in ITA as a freshman and realize what a ball to the face looked like and what a ball to the chest felt like. Nobody is willing to avoid smashing a ball, or swing volleying a ball at a player for the win, at the high levels, so I caution that this tactic isn't use in high level competitive competition. Even the best hands can't react quick enough, you better off bailing out or just play two back and work your way forward once the rhythm has been established during the point. I do agree about the positioning as the service partner.

[@EssentialTennis]

Hey Gerald! My viewers are almost all 3.5 and 4.0 players. That's why my advice is what it is. I would definitely use 2-back against a 120mph serve like what your players are seeing 😊

[@Tennisfreak7]

Gerald … you have to be taking the piss my friend. Surely you don’t think 5.0 players are watching countless YT videos on Tennis Strategy doubles lol you’re talking about 3.0-3.5 players who are watching this for the most part, so yes this is a very effective strategy. To be fair I’m no super hero in tennis. I only play 4.0 and occasionally with the 4.5’s, or if I’m lucky a 5.0 will hit and coach us from time to time and guess what, this strategy is still pretty effective at those levels, now if you are playing 5.0 + this is a different story but again I don’t think D2, D3 doubles players are watching YT for doubles strategies 😂

[@ReidVV]

Lower level players are 1-scared of getting hit by the ball at the net, 2-just having a hard enough time just returning balls back into the court at all, be they serve returns or other rally shots into their side of the court, so they rarely concern themselves with any kind of shot placement, 3-low level players often return so weakly that their opponents can take the time to hit the returned ball wherever their skill level allows them to and take full advantage of the softly returned ball. This is another reason pickleball is such a fast-growing sport. It's all about stand and slap. I think if someone invested a tennis facemask and chest protector, like a baseball catchers' facemask and chest protector, but a lighter weight design, even if it was only used to practice net play, the result would be a jump in tennis net skills worldwide.

[@Onward441]

Way over explained

[@daniel-eunbum-lee]

Good content but a bit wordy.

[@maireadmaccy4336]

PICKEBALL= CHECKERS. TENNIS = CHESS. C'Mon!💪