How to Stop Double Faulting
Quick answer
You stop double faulting by building a second serve you trust: a spin serve with margin, hit with the same routine and a full swing every time. Most double faults come from a tentative push to a tiny target, not a broken motion. Add topspin or slice for safety, commit to one spot, and practice the serve inside points where the pressure is real.
Why you double fault
Double faults usually come from one of three things: a rushed routine that wrecks your toss and tempo, a tentative push that has no spin to bring it down, or aiming at a target so small you have no margin. Under pressure all three get worse, which is why the double fault loves break points.
The fix: spin, routine, and a target
- 1Build a spin second serve. Topspin or slice clears the net with margin and pulls the ball down into the box, so you can swing freely.
- 2Keep the same routine every serve. Same bounces, same breath, same toss height, even on big points.
- 3Commit to one target, usually the backhand. A committed serve to a safe spot beats a tentative one to a perfect spot.
- 4Swing up, do not slow down. A free swing with spin is safer than a soft, decelerating push.
A reliable kick serve is the long-term answer here, because it gives you the most margin and the most room to swing. The other half of the battle is mental, which is exactly what we cover in fix your second serve under pressure.
Practice it under pressure
Hitting clean second serves in an empty basket is not enough, because the double fault is a pressure problem. Play games where a double fault costs two points, or where you must hit five second serves in a row to win. Make your heart rate climb in practice so the match feels familiar.
The short version
Build a spin serve with margin, keep the same routine, commit to one target, and swing up freely. Then practice it inside points, not just baskets.
Frequently asked
Why do I double fault so much?
Usually a rushed routine, a tentative push with no spin, or aiming at too small a target. Under pressure these get worse. Build a spin serve with margin, keep a steady routine, and commit to one spot.
How do I stop double faulting under pressure?
Keep your full routine and a free swing rather than slowing down, add topspin or slice for margin, and commit fully to one target. Practice second serves inside scored points so pressure is part of the rep.
Should I just hit my second serve softer to get it in?
No. A soft, decelerating push has no spin to bring it down and gets attacked anyway. Swing up freely and add spin instead, which gives you both margin and a serve your opponent cannot tee off on.
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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