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Strategy Lesson of the Week

Develop "Fast Eyes" For Better Reaction at the Net
Part 2: When Partner Is Receiving


Written by Monty Basynet, TennisONE Editor


Go to Part 1 of this lesson

As I said in Part 1, fast hands and fast eyes go together to make a good doubles player. Let's look how this applies when your partner is receiving.
Sensing the Poacher

Once the serve has hit in the service box towards Player #4, Player #3 should immediately pick on any sudden movements by the opposite
net player, Player #2. This way Player #3 will be better prepared for a poaching shot which is generally aimed at the opposing net person. The most likely scenario for this is when the server has hit a good serve down the middle. This presents Player #2 with a good opportunity to poach and drive Player #4's return at Player #3. Player #3 shouldn't retreat, just be on high alert for the drive at her body or feet.

Moving with the Direction of the Return

If you know in advance where your partner is going to return serve, than you can wait and focus on that half of the court. But chances are the return could go either down the line or crosscourt. Therefore, to react quicker at the net, Player #3 must learn to pick up the direction of the return at the earliest possible moment. Usually Player #3 can position herself to call the service line and see how and where (as well as listen) Player #4 is hitting the return. At the very least, Player #3 must learn to see the direction of the ruturn as soon as it passes in front of her and lean more towards that direction (don't wait to react till the ball has crossed the net and your opponent is lining up a shot).

Seeing the Height of the Ball Moving with the Direction of the Return

Just as the direction of the return tends to vary, so does the height of the return. Of course the ideal return is a low crosscourt drive that forces Player #2 to volley up. But again in a realistic match situation, the height of the return can vary dramatically. The principle for Player #3 to follow here is that any high returns, regardless whether it's a drive or a lob, Player #3 should not move forward. In most instances, a high return, especially a lob or a floater, will give Player #3 enough time to take a step or two back and reposition herself. I say "reposition" because Player #3 should not be caught with her weight falling backwards on her heels, which makes it almost impossible to effectively handle any shot aimed at her. She must reestablish her basic volleying position, with her weight slightly forward, ready to handle any shot that comes her way. Now if Player #4 hits a low return, then Player #3 should shift her weight more slightly forward and look to move towards the net and cut off anything within close range.

Conclusion

The sooner you can see the ball when your partner is hitting her serve or making her return, the quicker your hands can react at the net. The combination of quick eyes and hands means sharper, cleaner volley. And that means winning volleys.
Go to Part 1 of this lesson

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