Back to Transcending Performance on Tennis
Notes on doubles
The basics
Work the corners
Keep the ball no more than 6ft high once inside the service line
If all four are up it shrinks even more 4ft
Lobs or any high ball should clear the service line
The poach is only as good as the placement
The serve should set up the net player or force a cross rally
Pace and placement are paramount
For every “missed” ball in creates an angle
– Make adjustments if normal winners are being played casually
The lob and slice are control pace
Can you identify the rhythm between you and your opponents on average (0-4 / 5-8/ 9+). If the match was a song how would it sound?
Poaching is not only a matter of when but where and how often
Always expect the switch (makes things easier)
Formation and Serve has more todo with competency and live feed back (well adapted tactics)
The Serve should aid the ideal
Be mindful of the illusion of the open court – speed and run around Fh and bh are finishers
Act like a compass dial when at the net or approaching the net
Comfort is a luxury
Being skilled and athletic is different beast
Don’t force dumb shit play another ball with the intention to set you or your teammate up
Find the weak link
Play your averages
Craigs O’s
8 Ways to Force an Error (1. consistency; 2 direction; 3 depth; 4 height; 5 spin; 6 power; 9 court position; 8 time)
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Ideal Doubles (Work)
2 v 1
– All three back
– baseline to nomans / one up one back
Format
Mix paced rallying
Picking hard to win situations
Crisp high paced point play
2 v 2
– All Back
– 2 Back 2 Up
– 2 up & 1 up and 1 one back
Format
Working slow to fast with each situation
– Volleys,smashes, lobs, switches, approaching, poaching etc
– Allowing everyone to acclimate.Once acclimated pick a situation and go to town.Ideal to set a timer and then take a break or choose a different situation. Work to get you and your partner in to trouble situations. See how well both of you cope through the situations.
The purpose of this is to get close to game play and a heightened competitive state.