Doubles Tennis Strategy
Doubles is a different sport to singles. The court is wider, the points are shorter, and the team that controls the net wins. Here's how to play smarter doubles — whether you're at social tennis on a Wednesday night or competing in pennant.
Why Doubles Is a Different Game
In singles, consistency wins. In doubles, aggression wins. The net player dominates the point because they can cut off angles and finish with volleys. The baseline player's job is to set up the net player, not win the point themselves.
The doubles court is 36% wider than singles (10.97m vs 8.23m), but you have two players covering it. That means each player covers less lateral ground but must manage depth — one up, one back — far more carefully. The gaps between partners are where points are won and lost.
The 4 Core Formations
1. One Up, One Back (Standard)
Most CommonThe server or returner stays at the baseline while their partner stands at the net. This is the default formation at every club in Australia. The baseline player rallies crosscourt while the net player looks for opportunities to poach (intercept with a volley).
Best for: Beginners, social tennis, any partnership where one player has stronger groundstrokes and the other has better volleys.
2. Both at the Net (Attack Formation)
AggressiveBoth players move to the net together. This is where doubles matches are won. When your team hits an approach shot that puts the opponents under pressure, both players close in to the service line or closer. You cut off angles and force errors with volleying pressure.
Best for: After a strong serve, a deep return, or any shot that pushes your opponents behind the baseline. Requires confidence at the net.
3. Both Back (Defensive Formation)
DefensiveBoth players stay on the baseline. This formation gives up net control entirely but provides maximum court coverage. Use it when the opponents are hammering shots at your net player and you need to reset the point.
Best for: Returning against big servers, when your net player keeps getting passed, or when you're struggling with volleys and need to stabilise.
4. I-Formation (Advanced)
AdvancedThe server stands near the centre mark, and the net player crouches at the centre of the service line (directly in front of the server). After the serve, the net player moves left or right based on a pre-arranged signal. This disguises the net player's position and confuses the returner.
Best for: Breaking up opponents' return rhythm. Most effective when your team has a reliable serve and the returner is consistently hitting crosscourt.
Communication Calls
Good doubles teams talk constantly. Between every point, you should exchange at least one piece of information. Here are the essential calls:
| Call | When to Say It | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| "Mine" | Ball is coming down the middle | I'm taking this ball — don't swing. Call it early and loud. |
| "Yours" | Ball is closer to your partner | I'm not going for it — you take it. Less common but avoids collisions. |
| "Switch" | Net player has crossed to the other side | After a poach or lob recovery, the baseline player moves to cover the vacated side. |
| "Stay" | After net player fakes a poach | Stay on your original side — I didn't fully commit to the crossover. |
| "Bounce it" | A lob is going over the net player | Let it bounce — it might go out, and you'll have time to set up your shot. |
| Hand signals (behind back) | Before each serve | Net player signals: open hand = I'll poach, closed fist = I'll stay, wiggling fingers = fake poach. |
Mixed Doubles Tactics
Mixed doubles is the most popular format at Australian tennis clubs, and it has its own tactical considerations:
- Serve to the weaker returner when it matters. At deuce/ad points, the serving team chooses which side to serve from. If one opponent has a weaker return, make sure you're serving to them on big points.
- Don't just hit to the woman. This is a common and poor strategy. If she's at the net, she'll volley it back at your feet. Instead, hit to whichever player is in the weaker position — usually the baseline player.
- The stronger net player should take middle balls. When a ball comes down the centre, the player with better volleys should call "mine." Pre-agree this before the match starts to avoid hesitation.
- Lob the aggressive net player. If one opponent is dominating at the net, throw in a lob early. Even if it doesn't win the point, it plants doubt and makes them hesitant to close in next time.
Common Doubles Mistakes
Mistake: Standing still at the net
Fix: The net player should move with every shot — step forward when your partner hits a strong shot, step back when they're under pressure. Think of it as mirroring the ball.
Mistake: Always hitting crosscourt
Fix: Crosscourt is the higher-percentage shot, but if you NEVER go down the line, the net player stops respecting the lob and cheats further toward the centre.
Mistake: Serving wide in doubles
Fix: Wide serves open up the court for the returner to hit angles past your net player. In doubles, serve down the T (centre) to reduce the returner's options.
Mistake: Net player watching their own partner serve
Fix: The net player should watch the returner, not the server. You already know where the serve is going — your job is to read the return early.
Mistake: No post-point discussion
Fix: Even a simple "great volley" or "let's go T next time" keeps you connected as a team. Silence between points leads to disconnected play.
Practice Drills for Doubles
These drills work with just two players and a basket of practice balls:
- Poach drill: One player serves, the net player poaches every ball. The returner hits crosscourt only. This builds the net player's confidence to commit to the intercept.
- 2-on-1 volley: Two players at the net, one at the baseline. The baseline player tries to pass them with groundstrokes. The net team practises covering the court and communicating.
- King of the court: Play out points from the service line. First team to 10 wins. Great for improving reflexes and touch at the net. Use a portable scorekeeper to track games.
Set up training cones to mark target zones during practice — they give you something specific to aim for instead of just rallying aimlessly.
Gear up for doubles
Practice balls, training cones, and scorekeepers — everything you need for better doubles sessions.
Shop Tennis Gear