Tip #6
Partner's Position Varies

One question that comes up often in my clinics as I travel is, "I was taught to always be side by side with my partner. Is this correct?" While at times it is correct to be side by side, many times you should not be in this position with your partner. Let me give you one example. You and your partner are both at the net and the opponents are back. They return with a lob and your partner goes back to return it. You look at the opponents and they are staying back. You will be in big trouble with me if you leave the most powerful position on the court when you do not have to. This is only one of many examples of when you should not be side by side. You should constantly be attacking or defending and often you will not be side by side. Time and opponents determine your position relative to your partner and it varies constantly. So do not worry if you are not next to your partner. The question you need to ask yourself is, "Am I in the correct position to attack or defend the opponents shot?"

Tip #5
Hot Seat Preparation

Your partner is ready to return serve. You are correctly in the hot seat (on the service line next to the T). Are your hips facing the server or are they facing the net man? If they are facing the net man, you understand a very important element in doubles - control of time. Hips and eyes directed at the net man prepare you for the worst return from your partner (at the net man). If that shot occurs, you will have time to defend that return, and if he hits a good return (crosscourt or lob), you will have time to attack either. Time is short on the doubles court, and the person who understands it best has a huge advantage over others.

Tip #4
Positive Poaching!

A good poacher disrupts and puts tremendous pressure on the returner of serve. If you are not poaching enough because you have made mistakes or feel it is too hard, check your distance from the net. Most league net men tend to stand too far back from the net to start the point, because they feel they must cover the lob. From this distance it is too hard to put that poach away. Forget the lob. The server must cover this shot, not you, unless it is short. Your job is to terrorize the returners and get them thinking about you. I teach my students to stand close to the net so when they poach, if they get their racquet on it, the point is over. I ask them who do you hate to play against? Invariably, they say, that aggressive net man. Well, then isn't about time that you become one. b over the net player.

Tips 15-13
Tips 12-10
Tips 9-7
Tips 6-4
Tips 3-1