Doubles Coaching Tips
On this page is summarised the 3 coaching sessions delivered by Stephen to the men's doubles team players.
Please remember those tips for your upcoming matches.
Please remember those tips for your upcoming matches.
Session 1 - Volley Positioning and Shot Direction. FH & BH Smash
- Cushion Volley Practice
Play the volley with a 'catch' feeling. Hit with a bit of slice (backspin) on the ball for added control. Hitting with slice also takes the sting/power our of your opponents shot. There is minimal backswing and follow through on the Cushion Volly, just as if you were catching a ball with one hand !!
An effective position to play your cushion volley is aiming for the service line between your 2 opponents. Once you are confident with cushion volleys you can progress onto hitting the ball with a bit more conviction. - Forehand Smash
Think of the smash like a mini serve. As soon as you see the ball go up in the air for a smash your first movement should be to get your racquet up near your shoulder and your opposite arm pointing at the ball (trophy position). From hear position your feet so that you are under the flight of the ball and aim to make clean contact. Sometimes sacrificing a litttle bit of power for control can win you more points on the smash. - Backhand Smash
Again early preparation is key. Racquet up nice and early, ideally holding the throat of your racquet with your non-playing hand so that you have control of the racquet head. You probably want to go for placement as opposed to power as you are probably not likely to generate much power on the backhand side when smashing. Again between your opponents or at the net player would be fairly effective.
Session 2 - The Mental side of Tennis
- How to play when you are ahead
A lot of players will relax. Try not to do this. Stay positive, aim for the lines play aggressively. You are winning so you may as well stay positive. Your opponent may give up if you do this and start making unforced errors. - How to play when you are behind
Make your opponent beat you as opposed to you losing the match with errors. Keep the ball in play, ideally deep in the court. Never give up, run down everything. Show your opponent you will keep fighting until the very last point. - Body Language
Chin up, head up. Don't throw your racquet, hit balls over the fence, shout in frustration. Why? As this could spur your opponent on and motivate them. Instead focus on an inbetween point routine. The 3 R's. After each point you want to Release any frustration you have (not by doing the aforementioned), Review the point and what you could try next time, Reset and get yourself ready for the next point. This channel's your attention to something more positive.
Session 3 - General positioning on the court
- Positioning yourself correctly on the court
- Server is very close to the doubles line - next to it or within 1m of it to get maximum angle of service
- Receive service on or just behind the baseline in a similar location to the server. Watch out not to position yourself to maximise a shot (forehand) and then be too far from the ball when it comes
- Volley player will be at around 1m of the net on 1st Service of partner and close to the service box back line on second service - Break the routine and swap volley position when partner is serving
- Use the following hand signals: Fist = I am not moving from my position at the net, Flat palm = I will cross on the other side (server will then also cross).
Remember that the server must acknowledge he/she has seen the hand signal - Often aim in the middle when rallying
- This is a difficult place for the opponent to get too (often back hand for the server or receiver, or general confusion of opponents on who will take the ball) - Open the game with an angle across court or alongside the doubles line
- Make sure you are positioned close to the doubles line before opening the game to pass the player at the net on the doubles line