The FAKE doubles opponent who scares you into a stupid strategy #tennis

There's a doubles player out there that many players believe exists, but I'm confident this player is only a myth. In this lesson I share the opponent who scares doubles players into choosing a VERY inefficient net strategy.

If you enjoy my doubles lessons and want to hear from some of the best tennis players and coaches in the world, here is a link to my tennis podcast "Baseline Intelligence".

[mightbefire]

I think the biggest problem with this is people's unwillingness to get passed even once down the line. I think there's a deep psychological skew in the direction of playing safe to cover the line to avoid that passing shot (and maybe your partner's scorn), while losing out on endless opportunities to cut balls off down the middle.

[andreifeld]

Honestly I stand closer to the alley because I'm afraid to get hit by my partner's serve lol

[Mikey.Mike]

Fun fact, 70% of players I know would feel embarrassed or even humiliated when being passed down the line 😄.
Also, most of them aren't confident enough with their volley and the poaching mindset therefore they'd rather stand closer to the alley instead of the center of the service box.

[brvheavyhitter]

Great video! Love these doubles strategy type of videos

[speedypete]

I tried this (forfeiting the tram lines) in my latest couple of doubles matches. I was passed down the line maybe ONCE but my opponents were tempted into going down the line at least 5 times and they hit the ball wide 4 x and I was able to volley the down-the-line shot the other time. So the odds were totally in my favour. Thanks for the tip. I also used the idea in singles and it worked even better (i.e. let them go for the side lines) because at around 4.0 level they often miss their target.

[PWfrom]

Thanks, Coach. After watching a couple of your videos, I have started further back and closer to the center when my partner is serving. The forward momentum and ability to move laterally more quickly has been really helpful. I'll see if I am brave enough to try standing even further to the center of the court now! I just need to shake off the "protect the alley" mentality.

[goldencalf]

Great vid. I've not seen this covered before.

[steveodog]

The math analogy of 85% vs 15% will be used to attempt to get my high school players to cover the middle! Great example!

[kim]

I wish I could share this with all the doubles players that insist on covering the alley. I always suggest that they move more centre of the service box to apply pressure to the returner but they are very reluctant to do this and leave me covering 80% of the court.

[wenw]

Thanks for sharing your analysis. Most people would find that your perspective is spot on. BTW how does the ezone 98 feel compared to the percept and vcore rackets?

[trippwestbrook]

Love this perspective. So, flipping the script…what should a returner do when faced with this type of net player?

[guiltyspark]

I sometimes play doubles with a squash player, and I swear it *FEELS* like he just stands in no mans land during a rally and burns me down the line constantly. I should record our next match and see if the data tells a different story.

[speedypete]

Piper plays like Emma Raducanu. That's meant to be a compliment.

[don]

Good strategy but problem at the rec lv I have seen is many players can’t control their serves, they will hit their partners, also I have seen number of players serving from middle the court instead from outside because they are used to that position. However I highly agree volley from middle if u have a competent serving partner

[dwoytek]

Is this a deuce side only strategy? Only deuce side serves shown.

[robertgreenbaum]

You probably also have videos of positioning in doubles wherein the “inside” person shades toward the alley and doesn’t move leaving the middle of the court open to the baseline player having to take all crosscourt shots.
Whoops: You answered that at the end of the video. Please expand whenever.

[MRmrROro]

Wish this video had a "thanks" option to contribute your cup of coffee~

[Isusasaves]

I play against two 4.0s and one 3.5 that can consistently hit down the line on the Add side with great 4.0 serves. I have bee burned a few times. By covering alley, j leave open court against my partner.

[mightbefire]

There might not be a 4.0, but there's definitely a 5.0 that can hit it over and over. Your presentation is extremely convincing though. I'm playing with three 5.0's tomorrow night, I'll put it to the test.

[albertcamus]

The shot to hit in the alley is going to happen on the ad side - not the deuce side. This is because the forehand across your body is the easiest to blast in the alley. What will happen is that the opponent will get a weak serve to the ad side forehand - bam - they can load up and hit that into alley.

I don't disagree with your general strategy BTW - I make people hit in the alley. But if you play with a very weak server a 3.0 style server in a 3.5 - then I just play back. Because you will be easy to pass at the net. So while mostly true - your example is a bit contrived. You will get lots of serve kinda up the middle that the guy on the ad side can pound into the alley.