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Lesson Library
The Ten Most Common Doubles Errors Error #4: Failure to cover the alleyOne of the fundamental rules of doubles positioning is to shadow the movement of your opponents. As your opponents move, different shots and angles lie open on your side of the court. The idea of shadowing is to cover or guard against these shots and angles, particularly the down-the-line alley shot that opens up as your opponent shifts radically to one side or the other. In the diagram , Players #3 and #4 have committed the sin of omission: failure to shadow as our opponents shift radically left. As Player #1 moves out beyond his own alley, he sees the angle open up to drive the ball down Player #3's unguarded alley. In the photographed sequence below, I play the hapless Player #3 who has left his alley exposed. How much should I have shifted to cover the alley? Even in this simplified scenario, the answer depends on a variety of factors, including the pace and depth of the ball hit to Player #1 and how good a forehand drive he possesses. The simple answer is that I should have shifted enough to cover most of the drive shots Player #1 is capable of hitting. I say "most" of the shots because you cannot plan your doubles positioning to cover every winner that lands on the edge of the line. As Vic Braden likes to ask, "Do you know how many doubles teams can beat you making shots like that throughout a match?" The answer is, no team. So cover most of the shots mere mortals can hit and your team will be in good shape.   |
