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This afternoon I put the "square off against the opposing net player when you'e on the receiving side at the net" strategy into action and I got about 6 more balls than I usually would. I felt so much more confident. Such a simple thing gave a massive result. Thank you.
Great doubles lesson. As a long time High School Tennis coach I found that players who had trained in sports like basketball and hockey understand how to follow the ball and consistently shift position because that was a tactic they used. We constantly ran situational drills so this became second nature in match play. Every day coach would say, “ practice the way you want to play “.
Good stuff. The role of the defensive net player might become clearer if we start referring to it as the middle player. It has taken me years to develop a mid-court defense, and it is such a satisfying thing to do. Also, welcome back Faisal. Internet remembers you for those buttery smooth kick serves.
Great advice that I 100% agree with. At the HS girls level, I see many doubles team violate most of these tenants of good aggressive play , One that drives me nuts is the net person thinks they have to start shifted to alley to cover that return. Given that is a low % winner, and even more so at the HS level, correcting that should go a long way towards even taking a losing match and making it a winner.
Great strategy description. It is probably a niche request, but at some point can you do a video on net play when your doubles team is serving and volleying. I see a lot of partners that think that if the server is moving up to the service line to follow a well placed serve in, that this should be the signal for the partner(them) to move right on top of the net and/or poach. Needless to say, the server probably has more time to react to the return when volleying (particularly if it is headed back towards the server) and if a winner isn't hit the team is wide open for a lob with both players inside the service line. Thoughts?
I'll see if I can get some other players to help with that kind of video. The first thing I always say is that partners have to communicate. Tell the partner that you're coming in and unless the return really sits super juicy right at their racket, don't poach.
Thanks for this excellent instruction. The vast majority of my doubles partners and opponents, men and women, play with one partner parked with a foot in or near the alley, and the other partner is focused on a cross-court rally. More like singles with someone else blocking the way. I'll show this video to as many of my friends as I can. One thing, though, one of these days, would you consider making a video about what each partner should do when there is a drop shot? It seems to cause a lot of confusion among my partners and opponents. Thanks.
@@MeikeBabelTennis I would really, really like to participate. But, I'm nowhere near you -- I'm an American living in Hessen, near Dieburg. Everyone's focus is on singles. When I was in the States, in Maryland, we all played doubles, practiced doubles, took lessons on doubles strategy, movement, tactics. Not so much here. The drop-shot problem is only one thing that I'd like to explain to folks here.
Re being the net player for a weak server (this is common in social tennis) what's the best strategy? The returner can basically do what they want with the ball. Net player go back to the baseline?
I don't see why not. I know a lot of coaches would hesitate to give you that answer. We had a team of two players at Vanderbilt who were both pretty small and just didn't have good volleys. They played both back A LOT even when serving. Their ground strokes, the lobs and their hustle were unbelievable and they did really well. A lot of other teams said "that's not doubles" and we always answered "well, it's two players on one side of the court against two on the other, looks like doubles to us". Unconventional, but heck they won a LOT
Great stuff. Quick question, when you are at the net and you are retreating what is your footwork to move back? Do you run backwards facing forwards or do you turn kind of side on and crab step? Sorry if this is a stupid question. I'm 57 and I have been running backward on two occasions and tripped over my own feet and fallen over. Perhaps I am just super clumsy.
That;s a great question actually and what you experienced I've seen happen as well. My answer is it absolutely depends on how well you move. So if you turn and "crab" backwards and stay in the point and can now defend well then that is how you move. Usually, I'd say, yes you'd move backwards but only if you can do so in a stable way. Since we're not talking about playing Wimbledon, move in a safe way and make your opponent's life difficult :-))))
Another great and useful video! Looks like you are now using a Yonex Percept? I changed from the Ezone 98 to the Percept 100 a couple of months ago and am really enjoying the extra control and still getting decent top spin from the Percept. Is yours a full time change of racket also? Again thanks for the video, I think the net play in doubles can be really tricky at times as you really want to get involved and best support your partner without giving the other pair an easy put away!!!
Thank you! And I'm probably going to keep switching around between the Percept and the Vcore because I like them both A LOT. Also, I don't really compete anymore so I don't have to settle on any one racket.
@@MeikeBabelTennis Do you still use your Ezone as well Meike? Used mine for two years solid before using the Percept, but honestly cant see me going back to the Ezone although still in the tennis bag in case of need!!
I really enjoyed this, but I was confused/curious about your comment at the very beginning, when you said: “Two back is … still better than the traditional one back, one up position.” Were you suggesting that players should be generally making less use of one up, one back? The rest of the video seemed to be saying that the traditional position is good, so long as the net player moves correctly.
This is not a complete answer to your question, but I hope it helps. When you receive, the net player at the service line should close to the net if their partner hits a strong return. If the return is weak and to the opposing net man, then you should move back a few steps (no man’s land). if the return is weak to the opposing baseline player and that player lobs it over your head or hits it strong to your teammate, you can move back the rest of the way to the baseline. The middle of the court is protected best when both players are at the net or both are at the baseline, and protecting the middle of the court is a priority.
Great question! The "best" most aggressive position is two up because you can put balls away a lot easier. Two back is better than one up one back because it takes the middle away between the net player and baseline player as a target. So for instance, if your opposite net player poaches your partner's return, he can either hit the ball at you or between you and your partner. Had you stayed back you have more time. And, of course, that can also happen out of a rally. BUT, I will make a video about that. We all learn the one up and one back and back in the day, players came in a lot more with serve and volley and chip and charge. When I played on Tour, I served and volleyed on both 1st and second. But that's not the reality in club doubles or even at world class anymore. There are absolutely players that stay back but that can be exploited. That's one of the major reason why a great doubles team (of two players who are not even ranked in singles) will almost always beat two great singles players who just happen to play doubles. Like Rafa and Alacaraz at the Olympics. Phenomenal ground strokes and returns will only get you so far.
JOIN MY PATREON for MORE and EXCLUSIVE content, monthly live coaching call, voting power on what content I create AND MORE!!
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This afternoon I put the "square off against the opposing net player when you'e on the receiving side at the net" strategy into action and I got about 6 more balls than I usually would. I felt so much more confident. Such a simple thing gave a massive result. Thank you.
Awesome! That is so great to hear!!!!
Great doubles lesson. As a long time High School Tennis coach I found that players who had trained in sports like basketball and hockey understand how to follow the ball and consistently shift position because that was a tactic they used. We constantly ran situational drills so this became second nature in match play. Every day coach would say, “ practice the way you want to play “.
Yes I can totally see that
Exactly what I was waiting for - thanks for the video
Great to hear!
Good stuff. The role of the defensive net player might become clearer if we start referring to it as the middle player. It has taken me years to develop a mid-court defense, and it is such a satisfying thing to do. Also, welcome back Faisal. Internet remembers you for those buttery smooth kick serves.
Great advice that I 100% agree with.
At the HS girls level, I see many doubles team violate most of these tenants of good aggressive play ,
One that drives me nuts is the net person thinks they have to start shifted to alley to cover that return. Given that is a low % winner, and even more so at the HS level, correcting that should go a long way towards even taking a losing match and making it a winner.
Yes, I agree!
🙌🙌🙌 just what I needed! This should help me gain more confidence as a net player!
Great! Glad to hear it
Nice tips, thanks 😊
You're welcome
Great Video!
Thank you!
Great tutorial
Thank you!
Great strategy description. It is probably a niche request, but at some point can you do a video on net play when your doubles team is serving and volleying. I see a lot of partners that think that if the server is moving up to the service line to follow a well placed serve in, that this should be the signal for the partner(them) to move right on top of the net and/or poach. Needless to say, the server probably has more time to react to the return when volleying (particularly if it is headed back towards the server) and if a winner isn't hit the team is wide open for a lob with both players inside the service line. Thoughts?
I'll see if I can get some other players to help with that kind of video. The first thing I always say is that partners have to communicate. Tell the partner that you're coming in and unless the return really sits super juicy right at their racket, don't poach.
Very helpfull video. Ty!
You’re welcome
Thanks for this excellent instruction. The vast majority of my doubles partners and opponents, men and women, play with one partner parked with a foot in or near the alley, and the other partner is focused on a cross-court rally. More like singles with someone else blocking the way. I'll show this video to as many of my friends as I can.
One thing, though, one of these days, would you consider making a video about what each partner should do when there is a drop shot? It seems to cause a lot of confusion among my partners and opponents. Thanks.
That is also what I see a lot. And yes, it's like singles with an obstacle. I will try to make that video. For that I would need some partners.
@@MeikeBabelTennis I would really, really like to participate. But, I'm nowhere near you -- I'm an American living in Hessen, near Dieburg. Everyone's focus is on singles. When I was in the States, in Maryland, we all played doubles, practiced doubles, took lessons on doubles strategy, movement, tactics. Not so much here. The drop-shot problem is only one thing that I'd like to explain to folks here.
Re being the net player for a weak server (this is common in social tennis) what's the best strategy? The returner can basically do what they want with the ball. Net player go back to the baseline?
I don't see why not. I know a lot of coaches would hesitate to give you that answer. We had a team of two players at Vanderbilt who were both pretty small and just didn't have good volleys. They played both back A LOT even when serving. Their ground strokes, the lobs and their hustle were unbelievable and they did really well. A lot of other teams said "that's not doubles" and we always answered "well, it's two players on one side of the court against two on the other, looks like doubles to us". Unconventional, but heck they won a LOT
Great stuff. Quick question, when you are at the net and you are retreating what is your footwork to move back? Do you run backwards facing forwards or do you turn kind of side on and crab step? Sorry if this is a stupid question. I'm 57 and I have been running backward on two occasions and tripped over my own feet and fallen over. Perhaps I am just super clumsy.
That;s a great question actually and what you experienced I've seen happen as well. My answer is it absolutely depends on how well you move. So if you turn and "crab" backwards and stay in the point and can now defend well then that is how you move. Usually, I'd say, yes you'd move backwards but only if you can do so in a stable way. Since we're not talking about playing Wimbledon, move in a safe way and make your opponent's life difficult :-))))
@@MeikeBabelTennis thank you so much. A reassuring answer.
Soooooooo true
Another great and useful video! Looks like you are now using a Yonex Percept? I changed from the Ezone 98 to the Percept 100 a couple of months ago and am really enjoying the extra control and still getting decent top spin from the Percept. Is yours a full time change of racket also? Again thanks for the video, I think the net play in doubles can be really tricky at times as you really want to get involved and best support your partner without giving the other pair an easy put away!!!
Thank you! And I'm probably going to keep switching around between the Percept and the Vcore because I like them both A LOT. Also, I don't really compete anymore so I don't have to settle on any one racket.
@@MeikeBabelTennis Do you still use your Ezone as well Meike? Used mine for two years solid before using the Percept, but honestly cant see me going back to the Ezone although still in the tennis bag in case of need!!
More doubles strategies please❤
Yes I will work on that!
I really enjoyed this, but I was confused/curious about your comment at the very beginning, when you said: “Two back is … still better than the traditional one back, one up position.” Were you suggesting that players should be generally making less use of one up, one back? The rest of the video seemed to be saying that the traditional position is good, so long as the net player moves correctly.
I echo this question too. I always thought that "one back one up" usually beats the two back position, even in medium level recreational tennis.
It makes sense to start with one up one back, but in general having both on the same line is better than the opposite
Also against strong serves you can start two back
This is not a complete answer to your question, but I hope it helps. When you receive, the net player at the service line should close to the net if their partner hits a strong return. If the return is weak and to the opposing net man, then you should move back a few steps (no man’s land). if the return is weak to the opposing baseline player and that player lobs it over your head or hits it strong to your teammate, you can move back the rest of the way to the baseline. The middle of the court is protected best when both players are at the net or both are at the baseline, and protecting the middle of the court is a priority.
Great question! The "best" most aggressive position is two up because you can put balls away a lot easier. Two back is better than one up one back because it takes the middle away between the net player and baseline player as a target. So for instance, if your opposite net player poaches your partner's return, he can either hit the ball at you or between you and your partner. Had you stayed back you have more time. And, of course, that can also happen out of a rally. BUT, I will make a video about that. We all learn the one up and one back and back in the day, players came in a lot more with serve and volley and chip and charge. When I played on Tour, I served and volleyed on both 1st and second. But that's not the reality in club doubles or even at world class anymore. There are absolutely players that stay back but that can be exploited. That's one of the major reason why a great doubles team (of two players who are not even ranked in singles) will almost always beat two great singles players who just happen to play doubles. Like Rafa and Alacaraz at the Olympics. Phenomenal ground strokes and returns will only get you so far.