Defensive Positions for Doubles
Discover key defensive strategies to enhance your doubles gameplay.
Against a Short Ball
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Against Volleys -Overheads in the Middle
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Opponent's overhead, back
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Against a Short Ball
When you see that your opponent has an opportunity to move forward and attack on a short ball, you should move back two steps quickly towards, but not in the alley. Then split step right before they strike.
Make sure you are on your toes with your weight forward. This will ensure you are balanced and ready for their attack. Just block back the ball towards the middle. Swinging on this volley will result in a lot of errors as the ball is traveling at a very high pace. The phrase to remember is “One, two, ready.” Two steps and a split step.
Against Volleys -Overheads in the Middle
Too often the net players get too many easy looks at finishing the point by hitting an easy volley or overhead down the middle of the court. Learning how to watch the opposing net player and getting to the middle to keep the ball in play will make you a coveted doubles partner on your team.
When defending against overheads, try to create as much space as you can between you and the net player to give yourself more time to react to their shot.
When the Opposing Team Has An Overhead and You're Both Back
Watch how Rojer and Tecau defend against an overhead from varying directions. When you catapult a lob to the opponent deep in the court and the lob curves towards a corner, your team should shift to cover the corner diagonal from the lob and the middle.
If the lob is sent through the middle of the court, both players will stand closer to the middle leaving the alleys open to tougher overhead targets.