Doubles Series III

Doubles Series III…………….The first challenge of the receiver is to return the ball away from the opposing net player. This can be extremely difficult to execute if the server challenges the receiver with a fast serve/spin serve that take the receiver out of their strike zone. The opposing net player is likely to put the ball away immediately that may float back. This net player should take the weak volley and place it toward the “short side.” That’s where the receiver’s partner is positioned when playing the typical one up, one back position. The receiver’s partner is in the “hot seat” where he/she must now try to volley back an angled ball, a ball with pace, or both. A good doubles player at the net can turn high balls to the short side with ease and is ready to stuff any other weak returns that may be coughed up. The net in club matches, the net player of the server often returns high balls back to the receiver and thereby gains no advantage. I’ll take a placed angle any day over trying to hit through someone. Difficult balls (often low or tough to manage volleys) should not be hit to the other net player because they are in position to take advantage. Those balls should be hit back to the back court player who must strike them off a bounce. Remember to try not to hit any ball up to a net player unless it is a good lob. The receiver who hits the up ball may feel as though they have failed, but, it is important to remember that easy balls are often missed and one should feel some consolation that at least the opponents’ were made to finish the point. Even the best pros miss an open lay-up from time to time. When the ball is returned to the net player (hopefully by accident), the server should immediately rush the net to help stuff any other balls that weakly return by the receiver’s partner. It can often happen that the server will become a spectator of their net partner’s shot. If the ball is returned weakly to their side, that server has missed a possible “up ball to put away and a free ride to the net.” This would be comparable to having a forward in basketball get underneath for a tip in or in hockey where a rebound on net occurs. In tennis, both team-mates should close the net when low balls are presented to their opponents.’ As Kenny Rogers sang, “You gotta know when to hold em’ (keep your opponent back or hold your serve, force your opponent to hit up), know when to fold em’ (concede to the fact your opponent made a great shot), know when to walk away (perhaps when your opponent makes a bad call, or you gather yourself for the next point by taking a little time), and know when to run” (when your opponent blasts a ball at your face, or when you have to get on horse and chase down a drop shot). To be continued……..

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