Fred Layman

The Six Most Indispensable Shots in Doubles

By Fred W. Layman III, USPTA Elite

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1) Chip Cross Court Return of Serve: This shot is focused on moving to the net on the return of serve and pressuring the service team to react quickly. Typically, it is done on 1st serve as the 2nd serve should be an aggressive baseline attacked shot. However, the shot can be used effectively on both serves. Be prepared to hit another of the key indispensable shots next, the mid court volley. Then close the net and win the point.

2) Offensive Lob: This shot is utilized when you are in a good position to hit a winner with your topspin lob. This shot is most effective when both your opponents are at the net and you are not rushed to hit the shot. This shot is used as weapon to take over the net from your opponents or hit a clear winner.  Having a topspin is the most effective way to utilize this shot but many players whom have a good touch can hit a ball slightly out of the reach of their opponents overhead to win the point. WARNING, if you miss it short, be prepared to eat a Fuzzy Yellow Ball!

3) Defensive Lob: This shot is used when your opponent has you and your doubles partner on a string or off balance and you need to recover. This shot should have a high trajectory and aimed to the back center of the court to neutralize your opponents which ultimately starts the point fresh and balanced. This shot is not used to take over the net but simply recover to a good position on the baseline and take a breath.Remember neutralizing your opponent forces them to start the angle and possibly make a mistake. Warning, if you miss it and hit it short, be prepared to eat a Fuzzy Yellow Ball!

4) Slice Serve: This shot can be used on the first and or second serve. For a right-handedplayer, it should be used mostly when serving to the deuce court and for a lefty mostly serving in the add court. This shot makes your net player much more active and when done affectively should allow the net player to poach a winner through the middle or at their net player. They eat,a Fuzzy Yellow Ball!

5) Mid-Court Volleys: The mid-court volley is the least practice shot in tennis and yet it is probably utilized as much as any shot in doubles. The player needs to affectively transition to the net without hitting a running volley, thus the mid-court volley. This volley shot is sent back cross court away from net player deep, so you can easily attack the next ball at the net for a winner. Keep your head straight, eyes on the ball, knees bent, racquet in front and have a firm continental grip. Stabilizing the racquet head with non-dominant hand on the BH side is suggested.

6) Cross Court Topspin Passing Shot:Winning the angles in doubles are the key to any team’s success. Having the ability to take your opponent’s off the court with a powerful topspin angle can be a very effective weapon. Also passing through the middle of the court with this shot burns your opponents as they look at each other and go “YOURS”. Please note, taking the ball back the same direction as which it came,is far easier then changing the direction of the ball (trajectory) and developing a new angle. PHYSICS 101. My suggestion is to take the angle your opponent provides and extend it through the outside doubles line on an even sharper angle. Winning!