Video shot in Mazatlan, Mexico. A common tactic that everyone uses when playing doubles is volleying to the middle between your opponents.  And there are also certain instincts that just “happen” when hitting to that middle.  Now, as you all know,  all kinds of things happen when you’re at the net and you hit the ball down the middle in doubles. There can be confusion or indecision as to whose... 

Paribas Open, Indian Wells, CA. In this week’s doubles tactic we’re going to look at the “Defense” concept of playing back with your partner when receiving serve and the situations that go with it. And we’ve got some great examples to share with you which we shot at the Paribas Open in Indian Wells, CA. The Indian Wells tournament is one of the best venues in the world to watch the pros play and one of the few... 

In this video we’re going to look at using the alley in doubles.  As you all know, the common direction of play in doubles is cross court. Returns are hit cross court keeping the ball away from the net man, the net is lower in the middle, and you have more court to work with when you hit diagonally. So when should you hit to the alley? It appears to me that most players don’t feel as comfortable hitting the ball... 

Here is another tip that we created for the 3.5 level.  We combined some of the tactics and strategies from two of our doubles clips, “ Moving Forward Through The Service Return” and “Lob The Server”, with the purpose of taking a deeper look into the viewpoint of the receiver.  So how do you return under pressure?  What’s in your service return??  Do you go for it?  Do you just get it... 

You’ve all had matches like this.  It is brutal! It wears on your psyche and it can make you impatient and think bad words!  Yes, the perpetual lobber… Don’t ya just hate that?  So how do you get out of this predicament??  Read More →

And you volleyed cross court???  Read More →

(Video shot in Sun Valley, Idaho)… Many times at the 3.5 level I’ve noticed a common error that happens in doubles when a player is returning a second serve in a pressure situation.  The tighter the match, the more chances of it happening. The score is 4-5, 30-40, and you are the receiver.  The server misses her first serve and you and your partner have a set point with a second serve coming! And your thinking... 

In this doubles video, you are the net man and you decide to poach. You make your move and your in sync with the return.  It’s right there in front of you and your choice is to hit your volley to the middle of the court?  Why?  Because it’s open? Here’s another thought for you.  As you move up the ladder in the levels of play from 3.5 upward, it becomes more obvious to your opponent that the middle... 

We created this tip for TennisOne.com and combined two of our clips,  “Cut ’em Off At The Pass” and  “The Net Man’s Position”, with the concept of putting them together for a more holistic strategy . This a fun new twist on some of the shots you may be familiar with! Good doubles teams have the ability to cover the court effectively.  They always seem to be in the right place at... 

(Video shot in Manzanillo, Mexico)…  Here’s the scenario: You’re playing doubles and all four of you end up at the net. The volleys are quick and everybody’s involved. Bang!!  Smack!!  Wham!!  Bang!! Then whaack!! right into the net!  Don’t ya just hate that!!!  What happened?  Read More →

Here’s a great tactic that you can use as a change up when you’re receiving serve. We call it the Chip And Salsa! Because it’s got everything but the guacamole!  Read More →

Here’s the picture:  You leave the office and get stuck in freeway traffic, or you pick the kids up from school, drop them off at home and you race to get to your match! “Don’t  be late!” you say to yourself.  You get to the club and run onto the court where your partner and opponents are warming up.  Your partner says “Wow! You just made it!” Three minutes later, you’re playing……are... 

This is the first tip in our series called “Get into the Game!”, about doubles tactics and instinctive patterns that players do at the 3.5 to 4.5 level. These are tactics we all understand, but, in a match, what are YOUR instinctive patterns? Are you really in the game?  Read More →

Here’s the situation: You’re playing doubles, you are the receiver, and you’ve got an active net man in front of you. The server has a good serve, mean ground strokes, and it’s tough to get into the net, – she’s good! So what are ya gonna do? Call Tennis Busters??? I don’t think so! Here’s a tactic you can use to change all that.  Read More →

Here’s a useful doubles tennis tactic for those of you who love to play offensively at the net when your partner’s serving, but often find your opponents lobbing over you to neutralize play. Yes, you Mr. Netman. Your opponents are lobbing and have neutralized and taken away your aggressive net game.  You’re not having any fun now.  Yup, you can read the sign, “no poaching and no cutting off the...