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30 Key Tactical Lesson Plans for Doubles Tennis
Welcome to The MTI Method Online Coach Education Courses
Hello and welcome to Modern Tennis International (MTI).
My name is Andy Magrath. I am the Head Tutor of MTI and on behalf of the company, may I offer you thanks for choosing our online CPD courses.
This course encompasses a total of ? hour ? minutes video content to watch followed by ?? accompanying questions. Therefore please allow at least ? hours minimum to complete this course.
Download the answer sheet here if required. Or you can create your own answer document.
Course Introduction
Welcome to "30 Key Tactical Lesson Plans for Doubles Tennis Course" by Modern Tennis International (MTI). This progressive step-by-step guide will help you master doubles strategy, positioning, and teamwork. Learn where to be, what to do, and how to work effectively with your partner. Doubles is best played when both players are aware of their roles and operate tactically in sync.
Lesson 1: Understanding Doubles Playing Styles
Objective: Teach players to identify and adapt to the 5 major doubles playing styles:
(Click on the red button to read the 5 playing styles of doubles. Available for download or printing)
(Click on the red button to read the 5 playing styles of doubles. Available for download or printing)
Coaching Tip: Analyse opponents’ strengths and weaknesses to select counter-strategies.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, cones, video analysis tool (optional).
- Setup: Divide the court into zones (baseline, mid-court, net) with cones. Pair players to simulate different styles (e.g., one serve-and-volley, one baseline).
- Drill: One team plays 10 points using their assigned style, while the other team adapts (e.g., lobbing against serve-and-volley). Rotate styles after 10 points. Coach provides feedback on tactical adjustments. Use video to review positioning.
- Duration: 20 minutes.
Multiple-Choice Scenario:
Your opponents are both serve-and-volley players. What is the best tactical adjustment?
a) Lob frequently to push them back
b) Hit aggressive groundstrokes to their feet
c) Serve wide to open the court
d) Poach aggressively at the net
Hint
DRILL
One team plays 10 points using their assigned style, while the other team adapts (e.g. lobbing against serve volley)
Lesson 2: Importance of Poaching
Objective: Develop poaching skills to disrupt opponents’ rhythm.
Coaching Tip: Practice lateral movement drills to improve net coverage.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, cones, stopwatch.
- Setup: Place cones 3 feet apart along the net in the service box to mark poaching zones. One player is the server’s partner at the net, another is the returner.
- Drill: The returner hits 10 crosscourt returns, and the net player attempts to poach when the return is weak (coach signals). Time the lateral movement to ensure quick coverage. Rotate roles after 10 returns. Focus on footwork and timing.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: As the server’s partner, when should you poach?a) When the returner is preparing a crosscourt returnb) When the server hits a weak second servec) When the returner is out of positiond) Only when signalled by the server
Hint
Poaching Drill
Lesson 3: The Server's Role in Team Strategy
Objective: Train servers to use placement to set up their partner’s net play.
Coaching Tip: Use target drills to practice serving to specific court zones.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, hula hoops or chalk.
- Setup: Mark three target zones in the service box (T, wide, body) with hula hoops or chalk. One player serves, another is the net partner.
- Drill: Server aims for the T zone for 10 serves, with the net partner practicing poaching on weak returns (fed by coach). Score 1 point per accurate serve. Rotate after 10 serves. Emphasise serve consistency and partner coordination.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: Your partner excels at poaching. Where should you aim your serve?
a) Down the T to force a weak return
b) Wide to stretch the returner
c) At the returner’s body to jam them
d) Anywhere to keep it unpredictable
Hint
b) Wide to stretch the returner
c) At the returner’s body to jam them
d) Anywhere to keep it unpredictable
Hint
Serve Drill
Lesson 4: The Server's Partner Positioning
Objective: Position the server’s partner to maximize net dominance.
Coaching Tip: Drill dynamic movement to cover the net effectively.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, cones.
- Setup: Place a cone in the centre of each service box near the net to mark the starting position. One player is the server’s partner, another feeds returns.
- Drill: The feeder hits 10 returns (crosscourt, down-the-line, lob), and the net player adjusts positioning to intercept or cover. Coach corrects stance and movement. Rotate after 10 balls. Focus on staying close to the net and reading returns.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: Where should the server’s partner stand during the serve?
a) Close to the net, centred in the service box
b) Near the baseline to cover lobs
c) Near the alley to protect the sideline
d) At the service line to bait a return
Servers Partner Drill
Lesson 5: Receiver's Shot Selection
Objective: Teach receivers to neutralize the server’s advantage with controlled returns.
Coaching Tip: Practice low, crosscourt returns to avoid the net player.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, target mats.
- Setup: Place a target mat in the crosscourt corner near the server’s feet. One player serves, another receives.
- Drill: Receiver aims 10 returns at the mat, keeping the ball low to avoid the net player (coach feeds if needed). Score 1 point per accurate return. Rotate after 10 returns. Emphasise control and placement.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: Against a strong net player, what is the best return?
a) A high lob over the net player
b) A sharp crosscourt return to the server’s feet
c) A down-the-line return to open the court
d) A chip return to the net player
Hint
Return Low Crosscourt Drill
Lesson 6: Receiver's Partner Responsibilities
Objective: Train the receiver’s partner to anticipate and counter poaching.
Coaching Tip: Use reaction drills to improve readiness at the net.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, cones.
- Setup: Place cones to mark crosscourt movement paths for the receiver’s partner. One player is the receiver’s partner, another is the opponent’s net player.
- Drill: The opponent’s net player poaches on 10 returns (coach signals). The receiver’s partner moves crosscourt to cover the open court. Time the reaction speed. Rotate after 10 balls. Focus on anticipation and lateral movement.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: The opponent’s net player poaches. What should the receiver’s partner do?
a) Move crosscourt to cover the open court
b) Stay put to avoid confusion
c) Lob over the poaching player
d) Move toward the net to intercept
Hint
b) Stay put to avoid confusion
c) Lob over the poaching player
d) Move toward the net to intercept
Hint
Returners Partner Drill
Lesson 7: i Formation Basics
Objective: Introduce the i Formation to create uncertainty for opponents.
Coaching Tip: Practice signalling and movement to execute the i Formation.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, chalk.
- Setup: Mark a spot in front of the server for the net player’s starting position. One team uses i Formation, another receives.
- Drill: The serving team practices 10 i Formation serves, with the net player moving left or right (signalled by server). Receivers attempt to return. Rotate after 10 serves. Coach corrects alignment and timing.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: In the i Formation, where does the server’s partner start?
a) Near the net, positioned close to the centre service line
b) Directly behind the server
c) At the baseline, covering the alley
d) In the middle of the service box
b) Directly behind the server
c) At the baseline, covering the alley
d) In the middle of the service box
i Formation Drill
Lesson 8: The Australian (or Aussie) Formation
Objective: Teach the Australian Formation to create poaching opportunities and force returners into predictable shots.
Coaching Tip: Use drills to practice the net player’s positioning and quick reactions to intercept down-the-line returns.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, cones.
- Setup: Place cones to mark the starting positions for the serving team in the Australian Formation. Position one cone on the deuce side at the baseline for the server and another cone at the net on the deuce side for the net player, indicating both players start on the same side. One team uses the formation, another returns.
- Drill: The serving team executes the Australian Formation for 10 serves, with the net player positioned on the deuce side to intercept down-the-line returns from the receiver. The server aims serves to force a down-the-line return, while the net player focuses on quick lateral movement to poach. The receiving team returns, aiming to counter the formation. Rotate roles after 10 balls. Focus on the net player’s anticipation and the server’s ability to set up poaching opportunities.
- Duration: 15 minutes.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: In the Australian Formation, what is the net player’s primary role?a) Poach to intercept down-the-line returnsb) Stay passive to avoid errorsc) Lob frequently to reset the pointd) Move to the baseline to support the server
Aussie Formation Drill
Lesson 9: Court Coverage for Serving Team
Objective: Optimise court coverage for the serving team.
Coaching Tip: Drill diagonal movement to close gaps.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, cones.
- Setup: Place cones to mark server’s and net player’s coverage zones (net, mid-court, baseline). One team serves, another returns.
- Drill: Returners hit 10 lobs or passing shots. The server moves back to cover lobs, while the net player adjusts for volleys. Rotate after 10 balls. Coach emphasises communication and positioning.
- Duration: 20 minutes.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: The returner lobs over the net player. Who covers it?
a) The server, moving back
b) The net player, retreating
c) Both players, splitting the court
d) Neither, let it go out
Lob Return Drill
Lesson 10: Receiving Team Coordination
Objective: Enhance communication between receiver and partner.
Coaching Tip: Practice verbal and non-verbal signals during rallies.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, scoreboard.
- Setup: Set up a mini-match scenario with one team serving, another receiving. Use a whiteboard for signals.
- Drill: Receivers practice 10 points, signalling (e.g., poach, stay) before each return. The partner adjusts based on the signal. Score points for successful coordination. Rotate after 10 points. Focus on clear communication.
- Duration: 20 minutes.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: The receiver’s partner notices a weak serve. What should they signal?
a) Poach immediately
b) Stay back to cover lobs
c) Move to the net to pressure
d) No signal, stay neutral
Signals Drill
Lesson 11: Neutralising Aggressive Net Player
Objective: Counter aggressive net players with targeted shots.
Coaching Tip: Drill lobs and passing shots to exploit net movement.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, target mats.
- Setup: Place a mat in the opponent’s backcourt for lob targets. One player is an aggressive net player, another is the receiver.
- Drill: Receiver hits 10 returns, alternating lobs and passing shots to counter the net player’s poaching. Score 1 point per successful lob. Rotate after 10 balls. Emphasise shot variety.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: The opponent’s net player poaches frequently. What’s the best counter?
a) Hit down-the-line returns
b) Lob over the net player
c) Hit soft returns to the server
d) Aim directly at the net player
Hint
Lob Return Drill
Lesson 12: Movement Patterns for Net Play
Objective: Teach dynamic net movement to control the court.
Coaching Tip: Use cone drills to practice lateral and diagonal movement.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, cones.
- Setup: Place 4 cones in a diamond shape around the net area (centre, left, right, back). One player is at the net, another feeds.
- Drill: Feeder hits 10 balls (volleys, lobs, passing shots), and the net player moves to cones to intercept or cover. Time the movement. Rotate after 10 balls. Focus on quick footwork.
- Duration: 15 minutes.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: The net player sees a weak return. How should they move?
a) Step forward to volley
b) Move backward to cover lobs
c) Shift sideways to cover the alley
d) Stay still to avoid errors
Movement Patterns for Net Play Drill
Lesson 13: Serving Team Drills
Objective: Develop serving team patterns through repetitive drills.
Coaching Tip: Use target zones to simulate match scenarios.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, hula hoops.
- Setup: Mark target zones (T, wide) in the service box with hoops. One team serves, another returns.
- Drill: Serving team practices 10 serve-and-volley points, with the net partner poaching on weak returns. Score 1 point per successful poach. Rotate after 10 points. Emphasise teamwork.
- Duration: 20 minutes.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: What drill best improves serving team coordination?
a) Serve and volley with partner poaching
b) Baseline rally practice
c) Lob and overhead practice
d) Crosscourt return practice
Hint
Serve Accuracy Drill
Lesson 14: Receiving Team Drills
Objective: Strengthen receiving team tactics with focused drills.
Coaching Tip: Practice returns against varied serves.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, target mats.
- Setup: Place mats in crosscourt corners for return targets. One player serves, another receives with a partner.
- Drill: Receiver hits 10 crosscourt returns, with the partner moving to the net on strong returns. Score 1 point per accurate return. Rotate after 10 balls. Focus on return consistency and partner movement.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: What drill helps the receiving team most?a) Crosscourt return and partner movementb) Serve and volley practicec) Poaching drills at the netd) Baseline consistency drills
Low Crosscourt Return Drill
Lesson 15: Adapting to Opponent's Weaknesses
Objective: Teach players to exploit opponent vulnerabilities.
Coaching Tip: Use scouting reports to identify weaknesses.
Drill Setup Plan:
- Equipment: Tennis balls, whiteboard.
- Setup: Write opponent weaknesses (e.g., weak backhand lob) on a whiteboard. One team plays, another simulates the opponent.
- Drill: The playing team targets the weakness (e.g., lobs to backhand) for 10 points. Score 1 point per successful exploit. Rotate after 10 points. Coach provides feedback on shot selection.
Multiple-Choice Scenario: The opponent struggles with lobs. What’s the best tactic?a) Hit frequent lobs to their backhandb) Serve wide to open the courtc) Poach aggressively at the netd) Hit groundstrokes to their forehand
Lob Return Drill
Go to Page 2 for the remaining Drills
