.
30 Key Tactical Lesson Plans for Doubles Tennis
Continued
Lesson 16: Communication in Doubles
Objective: Foster effective partner communication.
Coaching Tip: Practice pre-point strategy discussions.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, notecards.
- Setup: Write signals (e.g., poach, stay) on notecards. One team plays a mini-match, another serves.
- Drill: Before each of 10 points, partners use a notecard signal to plan. Execute the plan and score 1 point for success. Rotate after 10 points. Emphasise clear verbal/non-verbal cues.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: When should partners communicate most?a) After every pointb) Only during changeoversc) Before each serve or returnd) Only when errors occur
Lesson 17: Shot Selection Under Pressure
Objective: Train players to make smart shot choices in high-pressure situations.
Coaching Tip: Simulate match scenarios in practice.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, scoreboard.
- Setup: Set up a tiebreak scenario at 5-5. One team receives, another serves.
- Drill: Receivers play 10 points, aiming for safe crosscourt returns. Score 1 point per rally lasting 3+ shots. Rotate after 10 points. Coach emphasises low-risk shot choices.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: At 40-40, what’s the safest shot for the receiver?a) Down-the-line passing shotb) Crosscourt return to the serverc) Lob over the net playerd) Aggressive return at the net player
Lesson 18: Positioning in Defensive Situations
Objective: Teach defensive positioning to recover from tough situations.
Coaching Tip: Drill baseline coverage under pressure.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, cones.
- Setup: Place cones at the baseline centre for both players. One team defends, another attacks with lobs and volleys.
- Drill: Attackers hit 10 aggressive shots to push defenders back. Defenders stay centred at the baseline to rally. Score 1 point per rally lasting 4+ shots. Rotate after 10 balls. Focus on recovery positioning.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: Both players are pushed back. Where should they position?a) Both at the baseline, centredb) One at the net, one at the baselinec) Both near the alleysd) One covering the lob, one at the net
Lesson 19: Using Angles in Doubles
Objective: Teach players to create angles to open the court.
Coaching Tip: Practice short-angle shots in drills.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, target mats.
- Setup: Place a mat near the crosscourt sideline for volley targets. One player is at the net, another feeds.
- Drill: Net player hits 10 angled volleys to the mat. Score 1 point per accurate volley. Rotate after 10 balls. Coach corrects wrist action and placement.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: To create an angle, where should the net player aim their volley?a) Down the middleb) Crosscourt to the sidelinec) Deep to the baselined) Directly at the opponent
Lesson 20: Managing the Middle of the Court
Objective: Control the middle to reduce opponents’ angles.
Coaching Tip: Drill shots aimed at the court’s centre.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, hula hoop.
- Setup: Place a hoop in the court’s centre (service line area). One team serves, another returns.
- Drill: Servers aim 10 serves or volleys at the hoop to limit angles. Score 1 point per accurate shot. Rotate after 10 balls. Emphasise central shot placement.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: Where should the server aim to limit opponents’ angles?a) Down the middleb) Wide to the sidelinec) At the returner’s bodyd) Short to the service box
Lesson 21: Transitioning to the Net
Objective: Teach smooth transitions from baseline to net.
Coaching Tip: Practice serve-and-volley patterns.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, cones.
- Setup: Place cones at the service line to mark transition points. One player serves, another returns.
- Drill: Server practices 10 serve-and-volley points, moving through cones to the net. Score 1 point per successful net approach. Rotate after 10 points. Focus on forward momentum.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: After a strong serve, what should the server do?a) Stay at the baselineb) Move to the netc) Cover the lobd) Shift to the alley
Lesson 22: Countering the i Formation
Objective: Train players to neutralise the i Formation.
Coaching Tip: Practice returns to exploit gaps.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, target mats.
- Setup: Place mats down the line for return targets. One team uses i Formation, another receives.
- Drill: Receivers hit 10 down-the-line returns to exploit i Formation gaps. Score 1 point per accurate return. Rotate after 10 balls. Coach corrects return placement.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: Against an i Formation, what’s the best return?a) Lob over the net playerb) Down-the-line returnc) Crosscourt to the serverd) Chip to the net player
Lesson 23: Exploiting Weak Returns
Objective: Teach net players to capitalise on weak returns.
Coaching Tip: Drill volley placement for weak returns.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, target mats.
- Setup: Place mats in crosscourt corners for volley targets. One player is at the net, another feeds weak returns.
- Drill: Net player hits 10 angled volleys to mats off weak feeds. Score 1 point per accurate volley. Rotate after 10 balls. Emphasise aggressive volley placement.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: The returner hits a weak return. What should the net player do?a) Volley deep to the baselineb) Hit an angled volleyc) Lob to reset the pointd) Stay passive
Lesson 24: Serving Under Pressure
Objective: Train servers to maintain consistency in tight situations.
Coaching Tip: Practice serving with a point deficit.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, scoreboard.
- Setup: Set up a scenario at 30-40. One player serves, another returns.
- Drill: Server practices 10 serves down the T under pressure. Score 1 point per successful serve and rally. Rotate after 10 serves. Coach emphasises consistency.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: At 30-40, what’s the best serve?a) High-risk ace attemptb) Safe serve down the Tc) Wide serve to open the courtd) Spin serve to the body
Lesson 25: Reading Opponent's Positioning
Objective: Teach players to analyse opponent positioning for tactical advantage.
Coaching Tip: Use video analysis to study opponent habits.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, video camera.
- Setup: One team plays, another positions incorrectly (e.g., net player too close). Record the session.
- Drill: Players hit 10 shots (e.g., lobs) to exploit poor positioning. Review video to discuss reads. Score 1 point per successful exploit. Rotate after 10 balls.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: The net player is too close to the net. What’s the best shot?a) Lob over their headb) Hard volley at their feetc) Crosscourt groundstroked) Down-the-line passing shot
Lesson 26: Mixing Up Serve Patterns
Objective: Encourage servers to vary serve placement.
Coaching Tip: Practice serving to all court zones.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, hula hoops.
- Setup: Place hoops in T, wide, and body zones of the service box. One player serves, another returns.
- Drill: Server hits 10 serves, alternating zones randomly. Score 1 point per accurate serve. Rotate after 10 serves. Coach ensures variety in placement.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: To keep opponents guessing, what serve should you use next?a) Repeat the previous serveb) Serve to a different zonec) Always serve wided) Serve to the body only
Lesson 27: Handling Lobs Effectively
Objective: Train players to counter lobs with overheads or retreats.
Coaching Tip: Drill overhead smashes and defensive positioning.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, target mats.
- Setup: Place mats in the backcourt for overhead targets. One player is at the net, another feeds lobs.
- Drill: Net player practices 10 overheads or retreats (if lob is deep). Score 1 point per successful overhead. Rotate after 10 balls. Focus on decision-making.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: A lob goes over the net player. What’s the best response?a) Net player smashes itb) Server moves back to coverc) Both players retreatd) Let it go and reset
Lesson 28: Building Team Chemistry
Objective: Foster trust and coordination between partners.
Coaching Tip: Practice partner-specific drills to build synergy.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, whiteboard.
- Setup: Write a set play (e.g., serve T, partner poaches) on a whiteboard. One team plays, another opposes.
- Drill: Partners execute the set play for 10 points. Score 1 point per successful execution. Rotate after 10 points. Coach encourages partner feedback.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: How can partners improve chemistry?a) Play without communicatingb) Practice set plays togetherc) Focus only on individual skillsd) Avoid discussing tactics
Lesson 29: Selecting Tactical Patterns
Objective: Teach players to choose patterns based on strengths.
Coaching Tip: Analyse player strengths to assign roles.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, notecards.
- Setup: Write patterns (e.g., serve-and-volley, baseline rally) on notecards. One team plays, another opposes.
- Drill: Team selects a pattern based on strengths (e.g., strong volleyer) and plays 10 points. Score 1 point per successful pattern. Rotate after 10 points. Coach evaluates choices.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: Your partner is a strong volleyer. What pattern should you use?a) Both stay at the baselineb) Use serve-and-volley with poachingc) Hit lobs frequentlyd) Focus on groundstrokes
Lesson 30: Evaluating Match Situations
Objective: Train players to adapt tactics based on score and opponent.
Coaching Tip: Simulate match scenarios to practice adaptability.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, scoreboard.
- Setup: Set up a match scenario (e.g., down 0-40). One team serves, another returns.
- Drill: Servers play 10 points, using safe tactics (e.g., middle serves). Score 1 point per rally won. Rotate after 10 points. Coach discusses score-based adjustments.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: You’re down 0-40 on serve. What’s the best tactic?a) Go for high-risk acesb) Use safe serves and rallyc) Switch to I Formationd) Lob on every return
Final Assessment & Certification
- Complete a final quiz covering all sections to test your understanding.
- Earn a certificate upon successful completion!
- If a UK Coach you can apply for () coach license points
This course ensures players gain a strong foundation in doubles strategy through interactive learning and video demonstrations.
