Double the Fun, Double the Victory: Mastering the Art of Doubles Tennis with Proven Tactics and Strategies
- Tennis has two formats: "singles" where players play one-on-one, and "doubles" where players play two-on-two.
- How you use them can greatly affect your tactics and chances of winning, so it's important to understand their characteristics.
- This formation has two players, a front player and a back player, standing side by side near the center of the court.
Tennis has two formats: “singles” where players play one-on-one, and “doubles” where players play two-on-two. Unlike singles, which is an individual match, doubles matches are played by pairs, and players must decide on their formation and tactics in consultation with their teammates. What kind of tactics should you use to win a doubles match?
Here we will introduce the types of formations used in tennis doubles and basic tactical ideas.
【table of contents】
・The basic rule is to return it to the center.
・Raising the lob is also effective
■ Tips on how to move forward and backward
■Learn the theory and tips to win doubles matches
■Types of doubles formations
There are many variations in doubles formations in tennis. How you use them can greatly affect your tactics and chances of winning, so it’s important to understand their characteristics.
We will introduce some typical formations and their respective characteristics.
・Parallel formation
This formation has two players, a front player and a back player, standing side by side near the center of the court. Because both players play on the net side, it is sometimes called 2-up. The advantage of this formation is that it is easy to put pressure on the opponent, as attacks are based mainly on volleys and smashes.
On the other hand, the closer the distance between you and your opponent, the more mistakes you will make, and the risk of the ball going over your head with a curved shot. There is also the risk of both teams giving up the ball in the center and not being able to return it, so it is essential to communicate with each other beforehand.
In addition, among parallel formations, a formation in which both players drop back and fight tenaciously, focusing on strokes, is called a back parallel formation or a two-back formation. This formation provides stability for continuing rallies, but requires footwork that can respond even if the ball falls on the net side.
・Flying Geese Formation
Gankojin is a basic formation where a pair is divided into a front and back player. The front player stands near the net and scores points with volleys and smashes, while the back player stands near the baseline and is in charge of rallies. The front player stands diagonally on the left side and the back player stands diagonally on the right side, resembling a line of geese, hence the name gankojin.
The roles of the front players are clearly defined – attacking with the front players in charge of attacks and rallies with the back players – so the advantage of this formation is that it is less likely to cause confusion when playing, making it a recommended formation for beginners as well.
・Other formations
In addition to the parallel formation and the flying geese formation, there are other irregular formations such as the I formation and the Australian formation. The simple characteristics of each are as follows.
[Eye Formation]
This formation consists of the front and back players, and the player who returns the opponent’s serve (the returner), all lining up vertically. It is called the I formation because it resembles the letter “I.”
After the serve, the forward can move to either the left or right, so the returner cannot judge the forward’s movement. The advantage is that you can confuse the opponent by confusing the course of the return.
On the other hand, if both players stand on the same side after the serve, the opposing pair will have an advantage in the match. It is important for the front and back players to decide in advance who will defend which side.
[Australian Formation]
This is a formation in which the server (backcourt player) and the forwards stand on the same side. The name is said to come from the fact that it was invented by an Australian player.
The goal is to create space on the court and invite the opponent to return the ball. The backcourt player runs to the other side immediately after the service to pick up the opponent’s return ball.
■ Basic tactics for doubles
In order to win a doubles match, it is important not only to know the differences between the different formations, but also to understand the tactics that are unique to doubles. Here are some basic doubles tactics that you should remember regardless of the formation.
・The basic rule is to return it to the center.
There is a basic concept in doubles called “center theory.” Center theory is a strategy that says that if you are unsure of the course to hit in any situation, such as a stroke, serve, or volley, you should aim for the center.
In tennis, it is difficult to hit an angled shot from the center to the side. Keeping the center theory in mind will help you prevent a strong return from your opponent.
Another advantage is that the tennis net is lowest near the center, making it difficult for the ball to land on it. When a backcourt player aims for the center, it becomes a long cross shot, which reduces the chances of the ball going out.
If the opposing pair is using a formation such as parallel formation, where the two players stand side by side, there is a possibility that the opposing players will take turns returning the ball.
If you’re unsure of the course, it’s recommended to aim for the center, as this will induce your opponent to make a mistake while reducing the chances of you making a mistake yourself.
・Go to the porch
A poach is a play in which the front player reacts to a return ball and volleys while the back players are continuing a rally. Many points are decided by poaching in professional doubles matches.
If your opponent’s return is slow or if a backcourt player hits the return deep in the opponent’s court, it is important to go to the porch aggressively.
Even if it doesn’t lead to a point, if you show an attitude of “going to the porch aggressively,” you will increase the chances of shaking up your opponent and forcing them to make a missed shot.
It’s important to have an aggressive attitude, but you also need to remain calm when going for the porch. For example, if your facial expression or posture shows that you are going for the porch, your opponent will likely take measures such as changing the course. Try to go for the porch the moment the ball hits your opponent’s racket.
・Show a straight
When the match starts, show your opponent a straight shot early on. A cross shot is a shot that is hard to miss, but there is a chance that the opponent’s front player will be able to hit the porch.
Even if you don’t score, if you can show a straight at an early stage, your opponent will be wary of the straight and will have a hard time narrowing down their course, giving you an advantage in the rest of the match.
・Raising the lob is also effective
It is also effective to hit a lob over the head of the opponent’s front player. This can be effective in forcing the opponent to make a mistake or disrupting their formation. Another advantage of hitting a lob is that it gives you time to get your team in order.
However, if you hit the ball halfway up, the forward may be able to hit a smash. The key is to focus on hitting the ball high and firmly.
■ Tips on how to move forward and backward
It is also useful to know the difference between the movements of the front and back players. Even if they don’t touch the ball, the front players can put pressure on the opponent depending on how they move. If you impress the front players early in the game by showing that you are going to pick up every ball that comes to a certain side, your opponent will likely change their strategy.
In addition, forward players are expected to score with volleys. The trick is to be conscious of moving forward and backward to the net, rather than moving left and right.
On the other hand, the backcourt players support the frontcourt players so that they can make poaching and smashing shots. It is important to cover the areas that the frontcourt players cannot reach and steadily continue the rally.
■Learn the theory and tips to win doubles matches
In doubles tennis, communication with your partner and strategizing are important. You need to communicate well with your partner and share your strategy for the game and how you will cover the court.
Why not use the information we have introduced here as a reference and try practicing doubles?