The Doubles Formations (2 up)

Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka won the
Gold Medal for doubles in the 2008 Olympics

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Say you have been doing one up one back the whole set and lost pretty bad because the other team’s crosscourt groundstrokes are just plain better. They are very good at taking your partner at the net out of the game. You need a change in the second set to make it a contest.

One of your choices is to crash the net. Two up is usually talked about by tennis pros as a classic style of tennis. Getting to the net with both of your players is a great choice if the other team likes to hit a nice rally ball. You can rush your opponents and put them on their heels.

Here is the way it works:

1. After the serve or return you immediately start working your way to the net looking to join your partner up in front in one volley.
2. When you are both established you work to throw one of the opponents of balance. Once one person is off balance, it usually creates an opening to hit into.
3. At that point, you and your partner work to keep the other team off balance enough to draw an error or have a ball that is easy to finish the point with (a put away).

That is the ideal situation. Things that will throw YOU off balance are as follows.

• The other team is adept at lobbing (hitting the ball over your head).
• You and your partner have not agreed who will take the ball if it goes in between you.
• The other team doesn’t give you pace and in turn, your volleys are not crisp.
• Your opponents seem to find your feet too easily.
• One of you is not a very CONSISTENT volleyer.

This style takes more communication and teamwork than one up and one back. But not much more. You just need to come to an agreement with your partner on who is accountable for special situations.

Many professionals say that this is the best style to have. But all styles have their weaknesses. Once people know how to exploit your style, it could make it a rough day for you.