The Doubles Baseline Partner

A soft second serve invites an attacking return, often aimed at the server's partner.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · recall

With a partner covering the middle, the server can stand wider and cover their own side.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · recall

From the T the returner has little angle, so the return often passes near the net player.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · recall

A high percentage of spin serves keeps the pair on the front foot.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · recall

A wide serve pulls the returner out and opens the alley behind the net partner.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · recall

Recovering into position comes before anything else, so the return can be played well.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · recall

With both at the net, the serving pair can volley down and cut angles.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · recall

Serves through the middle bring returns within reach of the net player; wide serves open the alley.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · applied

The target is agreed, the serve is hit, and the server recovers to rally cross-court.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · recall

Doubles servers usually stand wider than in singles, as their partner covers the middle.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · applied

A low cross-court return stays away from the net player and makes the server hit up.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · recall

If the net player never sees a ball, they can poach without fear.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · recall

The lob return goes over the net player and lands deep behind them.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · recall

While the serving pair recovers, the receivers have time to move forward together.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · recall

The alley is a small target right beside the net player.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · recall

Taking the second serve early gives the serving pair less time to set up.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · recall

A ball that dips below the tape cannot be volleyed down.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · recall

The cross-court return has the most margin; the alley is the smallest target.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · applied

The lob pushes the serving pair back and lets the receivers take the net.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · recall

The standard return goes cross-court, away from the net player.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · applied

A low ball forces a weak, rising reply that the net partner can intercept.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · recall

Feeding the opposing net player hands them the easiest put-away on court.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · recall

A deep ball gives the opponent little to work with, so the reply is often weak.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · recall

An early read of the poach lets the baseliner send the ball where the net player has left.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · recall

Once the poacher commits across, the line they left is open.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · recall

In doubles the line runs past the opposing net player, so it is a riskier change than in singles.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · recall

A strong ball gives time to close in, so the pair can take the net together.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · recall

The lower and harder the ball, the weaker the reply the net partner can attack.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · applied

The baseliner's low ball creates the lifted reply that the net partner finishes.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · recall

The poacher has left the line open, so B goes behind them.

Source: General doubles coaching reference (baseline play) · applied