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Jorge Capestany - TennisDrills TV 20 Questions for Your Doubles Partner From: Mental Toughness – Workbook for Tennis Available at: www.tennis-workbook.com Doubles is one of the most fun ways to play our sport. Unfortunately, too many teams struggle with getting along and communicating better with each other. It is not always the case that you pick your own partner. In the case of USTA teams or school teams your partner if often chosen for you by the coach or the pro. Nonetheless, I have found that the happiest teams play the best and if the lines of communication are open and partners can tell each other what they expect from one another, then they van have the best experience possible. However, this communication process does not always happen naturally. Often the coach has to “grease the wheels” of communication and get the partners talking to each other. To that end, I have found that it has been helpful to my players if I can give them some questions as a starting point of better communication. Below is a questionnaire that I have developed that can be filled out by each partner so that they will know the best way to interact with each other. 1) Do you like to play the add side or the deuce side? 2) What would you like me to say or do after you miss an easy shot? 3) What would you like me to say or do after you make a double fault? 4) Do you want to use signals or not? 5) Who do you think should serve first when we play? 6) Do you like a partner that is loud and intense or quiet and reserved? 7) Which one of us should be responsible for questioning bad calls? 8) What should our plan “A” be when we play? 9) What should our plan “B” be when we play? 10) What should our plan “C” be when we play? 11) How much time after a loss would you like to wait before we discuss the match? 12) What can I do on the court to help your confidence stay high? 13) Who should serve into the sun if it is in a bad spot? 14) What kind of pre warm-up rituals (before we get in the court) should we do? 15) Do you like to hear advice and coaching from me while we are playing? 16) Do you want me to walk to the baseline between points with you when you’re serving? 17) What is the best thing for me to say to you when you are getting mad or frustrated? 18) Should we always elect to receive when we win the toss? 19) Are there certain people that will make you play better if they are watching? 20) Are there certain people that will make you play worse if they are watching?
Jorge Capestany - TennisDrills TV Jorge is the Founder of www.tennisdrills.tv - a video based website that shows more than 700 videos of tennis drills and tips. Jorge is one of only nine people world-wide that is a Master Professional with both the USPTA and PTR. Jorge is a 6-time Michigan Pro of the Year a 2-time Midwest Pro of the Year. Jorge has coached hundreds of ranked juniors including 3 national champions. |
