Skip to content
Insporta Book
en
EnglishРусскийDeutschEspañolEestiSuomiItalianoFrançaisPolski日本語한국어中文
FootballCricketFutsalTriathlonTennisGolfFigure SkatingBasketballMethodologyWhy it worksTake a test

Tennis · Level 2: Elementary · Sub-level 2.4

Playing Doubles Together

4 tests · 40 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown

The roles of a doubles pair, calls and signals, moving as a pair and the manners of playing together.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1Roles in a pairTake a test

  1. One partner usually stands near the net and the other behind the baseline, at least on serve.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  2. A net player ends points with volleys and puts pressure on the receiver.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  3. The baseline player keeps the ball in play and builds the point.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  4. A pair must work together to cover the whole court.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  5. Covering means filling the space the partner has left.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  6. The middle is the gap most often attacked, so partners try to close it.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  7. One at the net and one back covers both short and deep shots.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  8. Both back is the safest, one up one back is a balance and both up is the most attacking.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  9. A doubles point starts with the serve and return, then both partners cover their areas.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · applied

  10. Two players on each baseline is the both-back formation.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · applied

Test 2Calls and signalsTake a test

  1. A clear call such as 'mine' tells the partner to leave the ball.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  2. 'Yours' hands the shot to the partner.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  3. An early call avoids collisions and missed balls.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  4. A switch happens when a player crosses and the partner covers the vacated side.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  5. 'Stay' keeps a partner in position while the other plays the ball.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  6. Hand signals behind the back let a pair coordinate.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  7. Short, clear calls made early are easiest to act on.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  8. Players spot the lob, call, move and then hit.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · applied

  9. Signals come before, calls come during and talk comes after.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  10. A quick call prevents a clash.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · applied

Test 3Moving as a pairTake a test

  1. The baseline partner is best placed to retrieve a lob.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  2. Moving as a unit keeps the gaps small.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  3. A poach is when the net player cuts across to volley the ball.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  4. A well-timed poach wins the point with a volley.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  5. Matching depth closes the court.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  6. The back player protects the deep court while the front player attacks.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  7. A pair slides together to cover the space.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  8. A lob passes the net player, the partner calls, runs back and returns it.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · applied

  9. Staying back is passive, holding the net is active and poaching is most aggressive.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  10. The back partner has the shorter run to the lob.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · applied

Test 4Playing well togetherTake a test

  1. Positive talk keeps the pair focused.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  2. A quick racket tap is a friendly team ritual.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  3. Short, calm remarks help the pair move on.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  4. A simple apology helps teamwork.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  5. A short chat before play sets a plan.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  6. Too much advice during a point disrupts focus.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  7. Rotation shares games fairly.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  8. A positive word helps most, silence is neutral and complaining is unhelpful.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · applied

  9. A pair finishes, repositions, shows team spirit and prepares.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · recall

  10. Partners often meet briefly between points.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference · applied

Sources

ITF Play and Stay and coach-education materials, federation curricula, general coaching references; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered ITF rules belong to the Rules category.

  • General doubles coaching reference40