Tennis View contributing writer, Greg Moran’s new book, “The Truth About Tennis: The Definitive Guide for the Recreational Player” is now available on Amazon.
Greg’s book was written specifically for the millions of recreational players around the globe. Described as the “Best coach of recreational players in the country”, Greg has been playing, teaching, studying, and writing about tennis for over 50 years. He’s spent more than 100,000 hours on the court helping thousands of players from ages 3 to 93 improve their tennis. Quite simply, he knows what works and, equally important, what doesn’t
Over the next (5) issues, we’ll be featuring excerpts from Greg’s bestselling book. As a bonus for Tennis View readers, Greg is offering complimentary copies of The Truth About Tennis to the first ten people that contact him (United States only). Greg can be reached a Gmfsrc@optimum. net.
Part One: High-Percentage Doubles
Playing high-percentage doubles encompasses two things: positioning and shot selection. Which of the various formations will give your team the highest-percentage chance of winning the point? Then, from that formation, what are the highest-percentage shots to execute?
Positioning
At the 4.0 level and above, the team that controls the net wins the point 85% of the time. Here are three reasons why:
1. For most players, volleys are technically easier to hit than groundstrokes. Groundstrokes require more preparation, longer swings, and intense movement and timing. For the most part, volleys only demand that from the ready position you turn your shoulders move one or two steps, and then push your racket forward with minimal follow-through. If two players of equal ability get into a groundstroke/volley exchange, the baseliner will usually miss first.
A primary goal in doubles is to force your opponents to hit the ball up so you can then aggressively hit it back down. This means that (at the appropriate time) you can end the point either by driving a volley at your opponent’s feet or hitting down the middle. You can’t drive “down” from the baseline, only at the net.
When your team controls the net, you take time away from your opponents. Your shots will appear to have more pace, and they must hit a quality shot every time they strike the ball. If they don’t, you can end the point with one shot.
So, yes, the highest-percentage formation is two players at the net. However, to win, your team must move well and volley effectively. You must also be able to anticipate lobs and drives and hit solid overheads. These are skills that take time to develop. Your current level of play will dictate how successful this formation will be.
If you’re a team at the 3.5 level or below, the one-up, one-back formation will likely give you the highest-percentage chance of winning matches. There’s no shame in that. It is what it is—for now. However, if you want to move up to the 4.0 level, spend plenty of practice time developing your net skills.
Shot Selection
While angles and alleys may win points at the lower levels (where players don’t cover the court properly) and senior tennis (where both the players and the ball move at a slow pace), in a fast-paced, doubles game, most points are won by hitting to three places:
Down the Middle
Hitting down the middle of the court always creates an element of confusion for the other team. It’s always fun to watch your opponents give each other the “Where were you?” look after your shot goes untouched between them.
Plus, when you play down the center, your opponents must create their own angles—a difficult thing to do. Finally, if you hit down the center and don’t hit the ball well, you’ll probably still keep it in play. When you go for alleys and angles, only to miss your target, you’ll likely lose the point with an error.
At Their Feet
Don’t try to hit shots your opponents can’t touch—hit shots they can’t return.
Countless times I’ve seen a player miss an easy volley because he tried to keep it away from his opponent instead of hitting at his feet.
Forget about ‘keeping it away’ from your opponents—you’ll make too many errors. Instead, work on placing the ball at awkward areas of their body (feet and hips) to force them to miss. If they do manage to get the ball back, it will likely be an easy sitter that you can attack.
Over Their Heads
The lob is the most powerful shot in tennis. By powerful, I don’t mean pace. I mean impact on the point. Be it the low, offensive lob to push your opponents from the net or the high, deep defensive lob that gives you time to recover, every high-level team understands the benefits of an effective lob. It’s a must-have shot.
When teams at the 4.0 level and above compete, they play long, strategic points with lots of lobs. These players have gotten over the ego boost of hitting that rare world-class/lucky shot and understand that the lob is one of their most effective weapons.
When your opponent’s take control of the net, and you’re not confident you can drive a low shot, lob. Force them to move back and hit an overhead, the most physically demanding shot in the game.
To sum up: Control the net and win your points by hitting down the middle, at your opponent’s feet, or over his head.
One final point: Avoid Alley Obsession
Attempting to hit down your opponent’s alley is one of the lowest percentage shots in doubles. Here’s why:
The alley is just 54 inches wide, plus the net is higher at the ends than at the center. Stand at the baseline and drop and hit ten balls, aiming for the alley. You’ll see how difficult executing the shot is.
To hit the alley, you’ll usually have to change the direction of the ball. Not an easy thing to do.
If you don’t hit the shot perfectly, you’re giving your opponent two easy options to beat you: they can volley down the middle or drill it at your partner.
Three scenarios in which you should hit to the alley are if your opponent:
Leaves it open.
Volleys poorly
Actively poaches
At the 4.0 level and above, the first two scenarios largely disappear. Experienced players cover their alley and volley well. Take a quick look and, if the player hasn’t shifted to cover his alley, go for it. However, if he has, don’t be stubborn, return the ball crosscourt, and continue the point.
In high-level doubles, the only time to target the alley is when the net player is actively poaching. Then, the occasional alley or body shot will help keep him honest.
