Doubles strategies

Apurva Chakravarty Asked 13 years ago

Hello Alois,

Pingskills has definitely played a defining role on improving my game, even in doubles. It's been a year since i've started playing and me and my partner would like to take our game to the next level. We've just started to play with challenging doubles and find that our rallies for looping are longer and test our footowork and patience. I was wondering if you could recommend any strategies to improve our game. If it helps, we're both right-handed players. Our style is offensive-defensive looping, relying on opponents power to use against them.

Also, it'd be great if we recieved some advice on keeping our cool during pressure (for example, when we're down 1-7 points and buckle under the pressure.) We'd like to know some techniques to encourage each other rather than getting frustrated on our mistakes.)

Alois Rosario Answered 13 years ago

Hi Apurva,

It is great that you and your doubles partner are improving.

There are some things that are important with doubles. One is to think about who you are hitting to for each game. Since you are only hitting to one player think about what is difficult for them, the positioning, speed and spin of the ball that they don't like.

Secondly think about setting your partner up for the next shot. Often hitting down the line is a good idea because then it is more likely that your opponent will hit it back to your partner.

When serving think about keeping the serve short because they only have half the table to cover with the return.

Support each other and talk to each other to help each other during the match. Ask your partner what serve they want you to do so that it suits them on the next ball.

If you are down, take a few seconds to talk to each other and see if you can work out a strategy that will help you turn the game around.

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Brett Clarke Posted 13 years ago

Hi Alois, Thanks for the great doubles tips. I have a few strange problems that I need to address myself. I sometimes fall on the ground laughing in certain situations! Is there something wrong with me? My doubles results have improved, but I just can't hold it together when funny things happen around me. It starts with a cackle and then over I go. I'm on the floor before I even know it. I understand that this isn't normal behaviour, but thought I would run it by you regardless. Thanks BWC1

Apurva Chakravarty Posted 13 years ago

I also do end up on the floor but that's a result of my footwork. I'd try and say that if you focus directly on the ball and what strategies to play against the opponent, this would probably keep you preoccupied from you weaknesses. It would also be a good idea if you tell your partner to reduce the event of something funny happening. But in the end, i'd say that it's a bit more of self control.

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 13 years ago

That is good advice Apurva.