Lesson Library

The Ten Most Common Doubles Errors

by Jim McLennan, TennisONE Senior Editor

Error #3: Playing Center-to-Side


Returning serve, or playing groundstrokes from the center of the court, as pictured below, where should you aim? A simple rule is to play center-to-center, or side-to-side, but never center-to-side.

In this scenario, Player #1 is doing what you're not suppose to: playing center-to-side. The center-to-side shot selection is poor for two reasons: 1) unless the opposing team is leaving their alleys totally unguarded--an unlikely scenario--the small target area for a shot down the alley requires too much precision for most players and is therefore a low percentage shot. 2) The second reason why this shot selection is poor is because once Player #1 makes the center-to-side play, he leaves his alley totally unguarded. Player #3 can simply drive or volley into this open space for a winner.

Below is the photographic sequence of what I've just diagrammed. My opponent opposite is moving to a ball I've hit deep and down the middle of the court. He is attempting to hit a topspin drive from the center of the court down my alley. I close to the net and have an easy volley winner down his unguarded alley. A better choice for my opponent would be either a defensive lob or a backhand slice directed down at the feet of the opponents at the net. Jim enjoyed this point.