Doubles Strategy: Positioning and Poaching for Club Players
Quick answer
Doubles is won at the net and in the middle. The team that controls the net, moves together as a unit, and poaches the middle ball wins far more than the team that just rallies crosscourt. Get comfortable at the net, communicate one or two simple signals, and look to intercept.
Why most club doubles is played wrong
Most club teams play like two singles players who happen to share a court: both back, both rallying crosscourt, nobody at the net. Doubles rewards the opposite. The team that takes the net and moves as a connected unit takes time away and forces errors.
Position as a team
- Move together. If your partner is pulled wide, you slide to cover the middle. You are connected by an invisible rope.
- Take the net when you can. The serving and returning team should both look to get forward behind a strong shot.
- Protect the middle. Most doubles errors and winners happen down the center, not the alleys.
How to poach
Poaching is crossing to intercept a crosscourt ball at the net. Time it as your opponent commits to the shot, move diagonally forward, and volley to the open middle or at the closest opponent. Even faking a poach makes the returner miss. A reliable poach needs a calm volley, so it pays to fix the pop-up volley first.
Like singles, doubles rewards a plan. Decide with your partner who covers what and when you will poach, the team version of building a game plan.
The short version
Take the net, move as a connected team, protect the middle, and poach the crosscourt ball. Doubles is won forward and in the center.
Frequently asked
What is the best strategy in doubles tennis?
Control the net, move as a connected team, protect the middle, and poach crosscourt balls. The team that gets forward and intercepts beats the team that stays back and rallies.
How do I poach in doubles?
Cross to intercept a crosscourt ball, timing your move as your opponent commits to their shot. Move diagonally forward and volley into the open middle or at the closest opponent. Even faking it forces errors.
Where should I stand in doubles?
Move with your partner as a unit. When they are pulled wide, slide to cover the middle. Both players should look to get to the net behind a strong shot rather than camping on the baseline.
Sources and further reading
Written by
Bolor Enkhbayar
Tennis coach and founder of CoachesNote
Bolor coaches serious juniors and adult competitors. She builds every weekly plan, reviews the video and match notes, and decides the next job, in person and remotely through CoachesNote.
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