How to prepare for doubles tournament?

Cristina Trowbridge Asked 13 years ago

I am playing next week with someone who I have never played with before in a doubles match. Do you have any advice on what I should be doing to be at my best in a doubles match?

Thanks!

Huntingon 

Alois Rosario Answered 13 years ago

Hi,

Movement is one of the keys to doubles.  Making sure you get out of the way of your partner after you hit the ball.

Also work out who you are hitting to for each game and make sure you are playing to that player's weakness. 

Work out before the match what kind of serves your partner likes you to do. For example, they may like to topspin off backspin, so they may want you to do serves that will give them that ball.  A heavier backspin serve will force the receiver to push the ball back rather than attack, therefore giving your partner a backspin ball that they can topspin.  Similarly, your partner may be good at counter attacking or blocking so likes you to do a ball that is just long and the receiver can lift or flick.  Talk to your partner before the match and work this out.

Work out a simple set of hand signals to indicate the type of serve that you are doing.  You will see most of the professional players giving hand signals before they serve.  You just need to indicate whether you are going to serve short or long and with backspin, no spin or topspin.  A simple way todo this is to use your little finger for a short serve and your index finger for a long serve.  You can point the finger down for backspin, or up for topspin.  A no spin serve i usually indicated with a clenched fist.

When receiving serve, always look for the long ball that you can attack.  Since you only have half the table to cover this is a little easier than in singles. 

Anyway there are a few things to focus on.  Good luck with your matches.