Following is our interview, which I'm confident you'll find informative.
Jones: Aside from having to cooperate with a partner in
doubles, what's the most significant strategic difference between singles and
doubles (e.g., shot selection, point duration, and so on)?
Heiden: The biggest difference between singles and doubles
besides having a partner is strategy. In
doubles, hitting to certain spots, playing percentage tennis, and being in
correct court position are the keys to success. This starts with being a consistent server and returner. The average point in tennis at any level lasts
three shots. Knowing that, if you and your
partner can get your serve and your next shot in, or the return and your next
shot in, your chances of winning the point go up dramatically. Because serving and returning are magnified
in doubles, players need to work on making those two shots count. The ability to serve to all different parts
of the service box allows players to exploit their opponents’ weaknesses. Once you find a weakness, continue to go
after it. The serving team has the
opportunity to strike first and usually that means following your serve to the
net in order to volley the next shot. Serving and then hitting the volley back to the returner simplifies the
first two shots of the point. This strategy
is the highest-percentage play, and with you and your partner together at the
net, you force the other team to hit a great shot to beat you.
There are also opportunities for the returning team to be
aggressive and take control of the net. Second serves are your best chance. At the recreational level, many players are not confident with their
second serves and will serve and stay back. This weaker second serve keeps the server's partner from being able to
be aggressive at the net and also allows the returning team to hit their return
cross-court to the server and move forward to the net. Whether you're moving in as a server or
returner, make sure you don't get too close to the net. In most instances, if you move just inside
the service line, you are close enough to be an aggressive volleyer but can
also get back to hit overheads or even retrieve the occasional great lob that
you have to let bounce.
Jones: As you know from our practice sessions, my singles
game is founded on counterpunching. I thrive on long points, and I'm disappointed if a rally concludes in fewer than ten strokes. While such
patience often proves an asset in singles, it can be a detriment in doubles, as
there's always a pesky poacher waiting to pounce on balls that aren't perfectly
placed. What sorts of adjustments should a counterpuncher make when he or she
plays doubles?
Heiden: There are many players who get their start in tennis
by playing singles, hitting many more groundstrokes than volleys. When these people cross over to doubles, they
sometimes are intimidated at the net or do not know where to be on the court. Don't be afraid of doubles if this is
you. Obviously, practicing your net game
and learning where to hit when you're at the net in doubles is helpful, but
being a baseliner in doubles is also okay.
First of all, you and your partner need to be on the same page. This doesn't mean that you need a partner who
is also a baseliner. In fact, sometimes
a good baseliner partnered with a good volleyer make a good team. However, if your partner is expecting you to
get to the net but you don't, it could frustrate them and they could find
themselves out of position. However, if
your partner knows that you like to stay back, they should be ready to move up
and back, following the ball, in order to be in position.
Another strategy when returning serve is
playing the two-back formation. This is
particularly useful if the returner is having trouble getting the return past
an aggressive net player (the server's partner). Playing two back can take pressure off the returner because they don't need to be as precise with their placement. The returning team can also be more
deliberate in choosing when to move forward to the net.
Finally, a baseliner
playing doubles has to be confident hitting lobs. If you don't like to get to the net or have
trouble finding ways to move forward, chances are the other team will beat you
to the net, making a lob an important shot for your team.
Jones: There's debate over the benefits and liabilities of
positioning both partners at the baseline, otherwise known as Spanish doubles.
Proponents claim it's an effective means of overcoming aggressive net players,
as it allows you to respond with line drives and lobs. Dissenters argue that
it's a defensive maneuver that all but surrenders a point before it starts.
When do you recommend employing the both-players-back approach?Heiden: As covered in the previous question, I believe a two-back strategy is effective when the returner is having trouble hitting the return away from the opposing net player. When the server's partner is being aggressive and putting the returner's shot away, a two-back formation is a good change-up. It allows the returner's partner more time to react if they feel like a sitting duck at the net because of an aggressive opponent. It also takes pressure off the returner so that they can hit anywhere and possibly still stay in the point.
Another reason this formation can be useful is that it simply confuses the other team. Most players like to stick to the patterns they know, such as hitting cross-court, etc. However, if both players are back, the serving team may not be as decisive with their shot selection.
Finally, if the lob is one of your strengths or is working against a particular team, the two-back formation would allow you to hit more of them.
Jones: Players sometimes struggle to decide upon deuce-court
and ad-court assignments in doubles. I'm often told, for instance, that I
should play the ad court because my backhand serve return is consistent. Not
all ad serves go to the backhand, however, and there's a lot more to think
about than return of serve alone. What factors should players consider when
addressing this issue?
Heiden: Great question! I'm faced with this dilemma often when I'm coaching high school players
and USTA teams. Many factors can
determine what side you play in doubles, but much of it is about feel. Just feeling better about one side or the
other will definitely help your confidence. Some players have a favorite side and some don't. Another thing to consider when choosing sides (especially if you play with the same partner(s) often) is who is more aggressive at net. I believe the more aggressive net player should probably have their forehand volley toward the middle of the court. For example, if I'm right-handed and the more aggressive player on my team, I should probably play the ad side. This way I can more easily pick off floating shots when I'm at the net.
Don't believe the notion that if your forehand is better you must play the forehand (deuce, for a righty) side. The reason is that for most people, hitting a cross-court return is easier than hitting an inside-out return. For example, I like playing the ad side because I know that most of the time if the ball comes to my backhand all I have to do is hit cross-court. My forehand is my better, more versatile stroke, so I'm also comfortable hitting inside-out forehand returns from the ad side. If I were to play the deuce side, I would probably be fine if the ball came to my forehand because I'd just hit cross-court. But for me, it's a tough proposition when a serve comes to my backhand and I have to hit an inside-out backhand cross-court to keep the ball away from the net person.
No matter what side you play, you can always make adjustments to get more balls to come to your favorite stroke. If I play the ad side but I like to hit forehands, I can move over a little to my left toward the alley. This will open up more area for opponents to hit balls to my forehand.
Jones: A mild
complaint among some players, especially on USTA teams, is that they never pair
up with the same partner twice in a given season. Clearly, it's hard to fall
into a rhythm with a player whose game you know little about. What should
unfamiliar partners be discussing before and during matches?
Heiden: Playing with new partners all the time is tough but
can also bring a fresh take and add energy to your game. Before the match, see if you can spend some
time hitting together, even if only for a few minutes. This will help you get a feel for your
partner's pace of shots, their movement, as well as their strengths and
weaknesses. After hitting, talk about
what your strengths/weaknesses are and what side you each like to play. Hopefully you can agree on this. :) Next, discuss your typical doubles strategy
if you haven't seen each other play. Do
you like to crash the net? Are you more
comfortable at the baseline? Do you like
to use signals? Do you like to
poach? Are you up for trying different
formations (Aussie, I, two-back, etc.)? Any
of these questions are good to ask so you're on the same page. The more information you have about each
other, the better. Finally, make sure you communicate between points and during changeovers. Don't be shy. Try positive contact like a fist-pound or high-five between every point, no matter whether you win it or lose it. Positive actions and gestures go a long way toward improving confidence and keeping each other having fun.
Jones: Though the two-handed backhand has all but supplanted the one-hander among professional singles players, the one-hander remains quite common on the doubles tour. Is there something about the one-hander that makes it a preferable doubles stroke?
Heiden: I think you'll find that there are about as many good two-handed backhands on the doubles tour as there are one-handers. Some players have been taught that having a one-handed backhand is more versatile, but as long as two-handers don't neglect practicing the one-handed backhand slice and the one-handed backhand volley, they should be just fine. Nowadays, accomplished players can hit a two-handed backhand groundstroke but easily change their grip and take a hand off to hit a one-handed backhand volley. Some players even think that the one-handed backhand return is easier for servers to pick on because it takes more strength and timing to hit. Two-handers may lack reach on returns but have the advantage of two hands stabilizing the racket for returning those big serves.
. . .
One thing I admire about Josh's approach toward teaching is that he doesn't tamper with aspects of your game that aren't broken. Some pros feel obligated to revolutionize every element of your strokes, but Josh zeros in on a few features that require strengthening and offers achievable strategies for improvement. I've studied under his tutelage for a few years now, and I know my game is better as a result.
To set up a session with Josh, contact the Rochester Tennis Connection: 507-288-4851. Josh offers both private and group lessons. And though he's very busy, he'll do his best to accommodate your schedule.
