I want to add position yourself on the court to make your opponents to hit to your side so your partner doesn't have to hit the fist shot the second shot or third shot. This usually means go to the T when your partner is hitting. Don't cover the down the line.
Thank you - that was incredibly useful advice, both for when I am the stronger partner, but also food for thought when the ‘big kids’ ask me to play and I am the weaker player. Now I understand why I play better with some of them than with others - it’s all about how they make me feel and set me up to be successful.
For me, not over-hitting is crucial. Something that stuck out to me while playing a 5.5 in doubles was how he never over hit... he actually under-hit (if that's a term) and played higher percentages. He noticed I was redlining my game and he knew the odds would be in his favor if he just played with margin. I think a lot of players fall into the same trap as me about hitting too bit or going too close to the lines when playing up.
Thanks for the good content! Make partner comfortable at court, especially taking responsibility is very important. Otherwise partner starts nervous and making more mistakes. I ask you one more situation: should the weaker partner cover a smaller area on court than usual? Especially on mixed double, like a men4.5+ women 3.5 in mixed 8.0. If the 3.5 lady covers a smaller area, like a quarter along the side line, partner should handle the ball better , bc she moves less and stay more focusing , right? Thanks!
Hi Hong, yes I think you're right. For most uneven pairings, the strong player should cover more shots than normal. Anything you can do to hide the weaker player's weaknesses is a good strategy. Thanks :)
Thank you I'm 7 doubles on my school team and my doubles partner plays like the worst player on the team when or 8 doubles is better, if I had a chance to redo my challenge matches at my skill level now I would be top of 5 doubles
Great advice. I took on-board your tips in a recent match (following our email exchange), which are elaborated on in this video. The key benefits I found were:TAKE RESPONSIBILITY- this encouraged me to be more pro-active at the net; I moved across as much as possible, trying to finish the point and (probably) winning more points on the volley than I ever have in a doubles matchTAKE RISKS - our opponents noticed I was often moving across and kept trying ‘down the line’, but missed with their passing shots (I think, just one or two went in) - you are forcing the opponent into taking a more significant risk, then the one you are taking (try it!)ENCOURAGE - my partner had a good backhand (which I kept mentioning); between the sets I told them “that was the best I have ever seen you play” (not true, but hey!); I also took responsibility to lead, encourage, impart positive messages throughout the matchDON'T PLAY OUTSIDE YOURSELF - is something that I definitely need to do next time, in this situation; as the match started to get away, I tried to cover the entire court for every return, leaving open spaces and going for too many shots that I was unlikely to win (never a good tactic)Looking forward to your next video.
Thanks for sharing your experience Sion! All good points... It's hard to not play outside yourself because it's always most tempting when things seem to be slipping away. But usually, it makes it worse instead of getting you back into the match. You really have to "trust the process" like a lot of great coaches and athletes say. Even when you start getting down in tennis matches stick with your process of looking for strategic advantages, rather than bigger shots :)
The problem is when they hit everything to the weaker partner and it’s hard to even hit a ball. You start to go for shots that aren’t yours. You come off the net and play back hoping they will hit to you. They still don’t.How do you get In the game?
Hi Jenny, yea there's only so much you can do. If the opponents are good enough to keep it completely away from you, and your partner is much weaker, then it's difficult to win. I always start with movement at the net because every ball has to go over the net. But some teams are good a lobs or hitting down the line. It's possible that you & your partner are just outmatched... It's happened to me a few times in 8.0 mixed doubles. Just part of tennis :)
This is a great video! I’m watching it in 2023. Would you consider doing a refreshed version of this with better graphics? Easier to read? I think you get a lot of views!😊❤
Wow , wonderfully put together!! Partner & I , are better singles players and this content gives insight into what we were missing as a team!! Thank you
Thanks. I’m a freshman and my first game is tomorrow. I’m starting first doubles for varsity and my partner is not that good so I’m going to try this stuff out
Excellent points! I generally try to make my partner comfortable when I'm the stronger player and often take responsibility for some of the issues to lesson their burden. Unfortunately, when we get behind, I often try to overcompensate and play at a higher level which often backfires but at some point, what do you have to lose when the other team is doing all they can to attack the weaker player.
Excellent advice! I think you're dead-on about trying to raise your own level. It usually leads to both players playing singles on a doubles court, and sort of shuts down the chances of coming up with a really workable doubles strategy.
Thanks John! Agreed. Unfortunately, that's what most tennis players do when they're up against a better doubles team, or playing with a weaker doubles partner. The better strategy is to continue to really try to make your opponents uncomfortable & find a way to make them miss, while not going for too much yourself.
@@thetennistribe yes thanks. I also feel this helps when we play opponents that are clearly stronger than us. Often, I think I need to hit harder to match up to their level where in fact it may not be the best option as you had shared!
I really like the idea changing formations in this situation & giving the opponents different looks.
I agree. It throws me off when I'm the returner, so it's important to implement it as the serving team too.
I want to add position yourself on the court to make your opponents to hit to your side so your partner doesn't have to hit the fist shot the second shot or third shot. This usually means go to the T when your partner is hitting. Don't cover the down the line.
Great point! Using the right angles, you can force the opponent to hit to you without taking too much risk.
Thank you - that was incredibly useful advice, both for when I am the stronger partner, but also food for thought when the ‘big kids’ ask me to play and I am the weaker player. Now I understand why I play better with some of them than with others - it’s all about how they make me feel and set me up to be successful.
Thanks Alison! I didn't think about it that way, but you're right. This lesson can actually help the weaker partner too :)
For me, not over-hitting is crucial. Something that stuck out to me while playing a 5.5 in doubles was how he never over hit... he actually under-hit (if that's a term) and played higher percentages. He noticed I was redlining my game and he knew the odds would be in his favor if he just played with margin. I think a lot of players fall into the same trap as me about hitting too bit or going too close to the lines when playing up.
Totally agree. I notice myself still doing it too. You really have to make a consistent, conscious effort to play the right way.
Thanks for the good content! Make partner comfortable at court, especially taking responsibility is very important. Otherwise partner starts nervous and making more mistakes.
I ask you one more situation: should the weaker partner cover a smaller area on court than usual? Especially on mixed double, like a men4.5+ women 3.5 in mixed 8.0. If the 3.5 lady covers a smaller area, like a quarter along the side line, partner should handle the ball better , bc she moves less and stay more focusing , right? Thanks!
Hi Hong, yes I think you're right. For most uneven pairings, the strong player should cover more shots than normal. Anything you can do to hide the weaker player's weaknesses is a good strategy.
Thanks :)
Thank you I'm 7 doubles on my school team and my doubles partner plays like the worst player on the team when or 8 doubles is better, if I had a chance to redo my challenge matches at my skill level now I would be top of 5 doubles
When you realize you we’re the weakest link in your doubles match 🙁.
Haha! Keep improving :)
Great advice. I took on-board your tips in a recent match (following our email exchange), which are elaborated on in this video. The key benefits I found were:TAKE RESPONSIBILITY- this encouraged me to be more pro-active at the net; I moved across as much as possible, trying to finish the point and (probably) winning more points on the volley than I ever have in a doubles matchTAKE RISKS - our opponents noticed I was often moving across and kept trying ‘down the line’, but missed with their passing shots (I think, just one or two went in) - you are forcing the opponent into taking a more significant risk, then the one you are taking (try it!)ENCOURAGE - my partner had a good backhand (which I kept mentioning); between the sets I told them “that was the best I have ever seen you play” (not true, but hey!); I also took responsibility to lead, encourage, impart positive messages throughout the matchDON'T PLAY OUTSIDE YOURSELF - is something that I definitely need to do next time, in this situation; as the match started to get away, I tried to cover the entire court for every return, leaving open spaces and going for too many shots that I was unlikely to win (never a good tactic)Looking forward to your next video.
Thanks for sharing your experience Sion! All good points...
It's hard to not play outside yourself because it's always most tempting when things seem to be slipping away. But usually, it makes it worse instead of getting you back into the match. You really have to "trust the process" like a lot of great coaches and athletes say. Even when you start getting down in tennis matches stick with your process of looking for strategic advantages, rather than bigger shots :)
The problem is when they hit everything to the weaker partner and it’s hard to even hit a ball. You start to go for shots that aren’t yours. You come off the net and play back hoping they will hit to you. They still don’t.How do you get In the game?
Hi Jenny, yea there's only so much you can do. If the opponents are good enough to keep it completely away from you, and your partner is much weaker, then it's difficult to win.
I always start with movement at the net because every ball has to go over the net. But some teams are good a lobs or hitting down the line. It's possible that you & your partner are just outmatched... It's happened to me a few times in 8.0 mixed doubles. Just part of tennis :)
This is a great video! I’m watching it in 2023. Would you consider doing a refreshed version of this with better graphics? Easier to read? I think you get a lot of views!😊❤
Absolutely! Definitely should be redone. I'll do it later this month. Subscribe so you don't miss it ;)
Wow , wonderfully put together!! Partner & I , are better singles players and this content gives insight into what we were missing as a team!! Thank you
Thanks Karthik! Hope it helps :)
Thanks. I’m a freshman and my first game is tomorrow. I’m starting first doubles for varsity and my partner is not that good so I’m going to try this stuff out
Thanks Paul! Let us know how the match goes :)
@@thetennistribe We lost but we went into three sets and lost in a tie breaker.
@@paulspielvogle290 So close! Maybe you'll get them next time ;)
Excellent points! I generally try to make my partner comfortable when I'm the stronger player and often take responsibility for some of the issues to lesson their burden. Unfortunately, when we get behind, I often try to overcompensate and play at a higher level which often backfires but at some point, what do you have to lose when the other team is doing all they can to attack the weaker player.
Good points Marc! It's not an easy situation but making your doubles partner comfortable is very important.
Have fun! Good idea for any scenario. Nobody usually mentions this.
Always have fun :)
Excellent advice! I think you're dead-on about trying to raise your own level. It usually leads to both players playing singles on a doubles court, and sort of shuts down the chances of coming up with a really workable doubles strategy.
Thanks John!
Agreed. Unfortunately, that's what most tennis players do when they're up against a better doubles team, or playing with a weaker doubles partner.
The better strategy is to continue to really try to make your opponents uncomfortable & find a way to make them miss, while not going for too much yourself.
Great tips, thanks !
Great content. Loved it!
Thanks Khedidja! Hope it helps :)
This is really helpful. Thanks.
Thanks Suzanne! Good luck in your next match :)
Very helpful! Thanks for the video.
Hope it helps you on the doubles court :)
@@thetennistribe yes thanks. I also feel this helps when we play opponents that are clearly stronger than us. Often, I think I need to hit harder to match up to their level where in fact it may not be the best option as you had shared!
Nice!