The Easiest Way to Improve Your Doubles Game

What are these guys doing that you aren't? Photo by akosikarla on flickr.

There are few shortcuts in tennis.  If you want to get better, you are going to have to work hard at it and spend a lot of time honing your skills, period.  There are however, some quick fixes (or realizations) that will take very little time and can improve your game tremendously.  This one happens to be a favorite of mine.

Here it is: The Easiest Way to Improve Your Doubles Game Iiiiiissssssssss…

Talk.

Sorry, it really is that simple.  I know, you were hoping for something magical but really this is so powerful.  It is one of those things that seems so simple yet so many of us ignore it.  Watch any professional doubles match and they talk between every single point.  Not occasionally, every one.  Most of the time it is only a few words but sometimes that is all it takes.  Here are the contents of these quick conversations:

• Tactics - A server should always tell their partner where the serves are going to be going and with what kind of action (both first and second serve).  This prepares their partner for what shots they should expect coming back.  The returning team should discuss possible return targets and what the general plan is for the point (rush the net, double back, lob, and so on).
• Support – Probably the most important thing you can do to help out your partner.  If your partner makes a bad shot (did I say ‘if”?, sorry ‘when’) keep their head in the game with a simple pick-up.  Get their mind off the last point and into the next one.

Try it next time you are out on the court playing some doubles.  Try too make some physical contact as well.  High-five, fist bump, chest bump, or work in the Carlton dance somehow, it doesn’t matter as long as it helps you prepare for the next point.  Comments, questions, and videos of you doing ridiculous dances in between points (PLEASE) are always appreaciated.

Related posts:

1. A Family Affair: Making Tennis a Family Game