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Tennis · Level 5: Upper-Intermediate · Sub-level 5.3

Doubles Formations

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

The standard, both-up and both-back formations, the Australian formation and the I-formation with their signals.

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 1The standard formationTake a test

  1. The partner is crouched near the net, ready to cut the return off.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  2. Most servers start about halfway between the centre mark and the doubles sideline, which opens the angles; the rules allow any spot behind the baseline between the centre mark and the doubles sideline.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  3. One player attacks at the net while the other holds the back.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  4. Gaps can open behind the net player.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  5. The net player is the attacker.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  6. The server starts behind the baseline.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  7. The middle is the gap most often attacked.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  8. The net partner is closest and the server behind the baseline furthest.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  9. The net partner reacts to the return.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · applied

  10. A net player and a baseline player is the standard formation.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · applied

Test 2Both up and both backTake a test

  1. Both players attack at the net.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  2. Two players at the net shrink the court.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  3. A lob can pass both players.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  4. Both players defend from the back.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  5. It reduces the risk of being beaten by pace.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  6. A pair at the baseline rarely attacks.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  7. A strong shot can open the net.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  8. Waiting for a short ball is safest.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  9. A pair hits, moves, hops and volleys.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · applied

  10. Two players at the net form the both-up formation.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · applied

Test 3The Australian formationTake a test

  1. The partner stands on the server's side of the centre line.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  2. It makes the returner's choices harder.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  3. The server moves to cover the line after the serve.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  4. The net player can intercept or protect the line.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  5. A signal keeps the plan secret.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  6. A slow server leaves the line open.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  7. The server starts nearer the middle.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  8. A plan comes first and the movements follow.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  9. A pair chooses, signals, serves and reacts.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · applied

  10. Same-side partners form the Australian formation.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · applied

Test 4The I-formation and signalsTake a test

  1. The partners are in line, which gives the formation its name.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  2. The partner is hidden near the middle.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  3. Movement is planned in advance.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  4. Signals keep the plan secret.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  5. The returner has to guess.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  6. The server must fill the space the partner leaves.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  7. A strong passer punishes the poach.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  8. The pair lines up, signals, serves and moves.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · recall

  9. The partner waits, watches, moves and volleys.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · applied

  10. Partners in a line are the I-formation.

    Source: General doubles coaching reference (formations) · applied

Sources

ITF coach-education materials, ITF Coaching & Sport Science Review, federation curricula, general coaching references; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered ITF rules belong to the Rules category.

  • General doubles coaching reference (formations)40