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Strategy: What
To Do Once The Match Starts
Strategy Question
"When we play doubles, we just can't seem to get going at the beginning
of the match. What can we do?"
Answer
Last week, we provided Part One of the answer: What To Do BEFORE the Match
begins. This week we provide Part Two.
Part Two: What To Do Once the Actual Match Starts
How you and your partner play and communicate in the first few games are
critical elements in seizing the momentum.
Play High Percentage Tennis
Whatever you do the first couple of games, don't start out by slugging the
returns or trying to crank out your serves. You are not fully warmed up
just yet. Learn to work yourselves into the match. Play high percentage
tennis while trying to figure out your opponents' game. If you thought
you saw your opponents' game in warm-up, you could be in for a nasty surprise.
Many times during warm-up, you see what your opponents want you to
see. That weak backhand shot you saw in the warm-up has suddenly
turned into a wicked crosscourt winner during the match.
Assess Their Strategy and Their Game
Your team also needs to figure out your opponents' positioning and strategy,
and you can only see this when the actual match starts. In the first few
games, you should be asking yourself, Do they like to stay back? How often
are they serving and volleying? Does one person prefer coming behind the
approach rather than the serve? Are they both closing in at the net? Which
side do they return better from? The earlier in the match your team
can answer these questions and react, the better chance your team has to
grab an early lead.
Communication
Next start discussing your findings with your partner immediately. And after
every point, learn to make eye contact. If your partner make a good shot,
compliment your partner or give him/her a high five. If your partner
makes an error, encourage him/her by saying something like, "Good try
partner, I've got the next point." And expect nothing less
from a partner that you have teamed with to do battle. By communicating
right from the start, your team's intensity builds as the match gets deeper.
Variety
Don't be afraid to mix your returns up or start poaching right off the bat.
Play percentage tennis but don't wait for things to happen.
However, don't forget to alert your partner if you are going to mix things
up. This way he/she is ready and alert. By showing variety early in the
match you will keep your opponents guessing all day.
So to seize an early lead in a doubles match, you must start out:
- Playing high percentage tennis.
- Quickly assess your opponents' strategy and abilities.
- Communicate constantly and positively with your partner.
- Mix up your shots and give your opponents something to think about
- like why your team is suddenly ahead 4-1 and why tennis is such a difficult
sport!
Send in Your Strategy Questions to TennisONE
If you think you have a good TennisONE Strategy Question, please send an
email to: question@tennisone.com.
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