World TeamTennis Player Tips:
Where do you aim returns when playing doubles?
By David Martin – Newport Beach Breakers
Return of serve in doubles is a big key to success. If you are able to break serve, it takes pressure off your own service games, and you will be a threat to win any match. Doubles returning is different from singles returning, since in doubles there is a player at the net, threatening to pick off any ball within reach. So the question, where should you aim the return in doubles?
A large part of where you aim in doubles will depend on how active your opponents are at net and who is the better volleyer. But in general, you want to be able to establish a solid, low, crosscourt return, out of reach of the net player. This will force the server to hit up on the first volley, and allow your partner to threaten to pick off your opponents' first volley. This one-two combination is fundamental for doubles teams.
If your opponent is often trying to poach, a well-struck return (even if crosscourt) will still be effective if it has some pace on it. At best, the volleyer will hit a weak volley trying to get out of the way of the return.
However, if your opponent at the net is beating you by successfully intercepting and putting away your returns, deliberately play returns down the line – even on consecutive points. Not only will you probably hit some clean winners, but you will cause the other team to question how much they poach. Do this until the net player stops moving completely or looks confused. If they begin to poach again, start the cycle over.
Even if your opponents aren’t hurting you by poaching, a solid return down the line (aiming for the singles line) is a good play if the net player is the weaker volleyer. A well hit return down the line can also surprise your opponent once in a while, hopefully catching them unprepared to volley.
If you simply are not able to get a return in play crosscourt or down the line, a chip lob return is a great way to get in the point. Aim to land your lob within 3-4 feet of the baseline, and make sure to aim high so your opponents must let the ball bounce. The goal is not to hit a winner on this shot, but rather to get into the point and potentially break your opponents' rhythm by making them hit an awkward shot.
Whichever of these strategies works in a match, stick with it until your opponents adjust. It could be that one type of return will be successful for an entire match; on other occasions you will need to mix up the returns you hit. In any case, practice so that you have a number of options at your disposal.