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Strategy Lesson of the Week
Develop "Fast Eyes" For Better Reaction at the
Net
Part 1: When Partner Is Serving
Written by Monty Basynet, TennisONE Editor
Have you heard the old cliche, "You've got to have fast hands at the
net to be a good doubles player?" This cliche is only partially true,
as you also need fast eyes to go along with those fast hands.
When Partner is Serving
During the serve, it's a common doubles error is for the server's partner
(Player #2) to focus exclusively on the reactions of the receiver (Player
#4). "Seeing the ball early" is not just a principle you should
follow when you're returning serve. You should attempt to see the ball early
throughout all aspects of doubles, including when your partner is serving.
To develop fast eyes and quick reactions at the net, Player #2 must see
and pick up the serve as soon after the ball crosses the net as possible.
Once Player #2 sees the speed and placement of the serve, she can lean and
shadow towards the direction of the service placement-and perhaps even poach.
The additional time gained by seeing the ball early provides a few extra
split seconds for Player #2 to adjust her positioning and prepare to hit
a more effective volley. These few extra split seconds may not seem like
much, but it can make all the difference between a winning and losing volley.
Once Player #2 has picked up the ball early and leaned towards the appropriate
side, she must watch how the ball comes off the receiver's racquet. Many
players don't react to how the ball is hit until it's almost on top of them.
As a consequence of having "slow eyes," they're hands are not
as fast as they should be at the net.
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