Common Double Scenarios

“Whether you are about to be attacked down the line, engaged in a long crosscourt rally, or looking to come into net, you need to know where to stand. Positioning is essential in effective doubles play. “

Nathan Singleton, FSU

  • One Up One Back

    Probably the most common scenario across all levels, even on the pro circuit. You'll need to know where to stand when your opponent gets a short ball and is moving forward, where to go if you want to poach, and where move to when your opponent has a chance to attack your team at the net.

  • Both Back

    When your team is not playing well at net or if your opponent is playing extremely aggressive at net and having success against you, you will probably want to play two back. It will be important to understand who covers which shots and how to move if your partner gets moved up or outside the court.

  • Two at Net

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Two at Net

The positions you take when you and your partner are both at net will depend upon the type of players you are up against as well as the kind of shot you hit. If your opponents are lobbers, you and your partner should get 2 feet behind the service line (it's almost impossible to get it over you at this position) and be ready to hit overheads to end the point.

Hitting your overheads down the middle will produce the best results. If your opponents ends up hitting their lob really short, you should move forward quickly and look to hit more angles off the court, preferably towards the side fence where they don't have as much space to run it down.

Against Power Hitters

One player should be blocking the middle with their inside foot on the center service line. While the other is protecting the line (commonly confused with covering the alley). Do your best to hit all your volleys at your opponent's backhands, as most players have less variety on this side.

In the women's game, we see more lobbers at the recreational level. However, at the college, high school varsity, and pro levels we typically see baseliners hit through the ball more. In this case it's important to divide the territory evenly between you and your partner, blocking the easiest shots with good positioning closer to the net, leaving only low percentage plays for your opponent to hit into.

Against Two Back

One Up One Back

Once you become more intermediate in doubles, tennis starts to become pretty predictable. The men and women's games are slowly starting to turn into slug fests from the baseline - 90% of the time it's crosscourt.

Net players have to be more patient or spontaneous to get involved in rallies. A good way to get your partner involved is to lob the opponent's net player and then come in to the net behind it. Then you will find yourself in a great position with two up versus one up one back. Just be ready for the lob back.

Two Back

Most players that step onto a doubles court are looking to stay at the baseline and grind it out, even against two players are net. So playing two back is becoming a common strategy. The volley will always have an advantage over groundstrokes, but players that get a ball shorter or slower in the court can really do some damage and hit through net players, even on the tour.

If you don't have that type of fire power, a lob does just as much damage if hit with enough height, spin and depth, especially if the opposing team is closing really tight to the net. When going for a winner down the line, aim for the singles sidelines and you will almost never miss that shot wide.