The following post is an excerpt from The Tennis Parent’s Bible. Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo
Is the game of doubles really that important anymore?
If tennis is known as the sport of a life -time, the most popular form of tennis has to be doubles!
In Southern California, doubles can be found in the 10 and under events, all the way up to the 90 and over division. Our children will be enjoying the game of doubles way after their competitive career is over. A common thread found in senior tennis, recreational tennis, junior club teams, high school ball or even college tennis are doubles.
FUN FACT: A top woman’s college coach said this about recruiting players. “In college tennis, doubles is so important, I’d much rather have a top 40 ranked player in singles with a top 30 doubles ranking any day than a top 10 singles player who has avoided playing doubles throughout their junior career.”
The USTA made a critical decision a few years back- combining the singles and doubles rankings into the national ranking system. This means that here in the U.S., a player’s doubles results are an important addition to their overall National Ranking. (The rankings formula includes doubles ranking as a percentage in the overall ranking calculation- singles and doubles are not weighted equally. For more information:http://www.usta.com/YouthTennis/JuniorCompetition/Ranking/#Calculating%20Standings%20&%20Rankings )
On a monthly basis, 20 percent of the questions I now receive are doubles related questions. Below, I have 4 common questions along with answers and solutions:
Question: What do we look for when picking a partner?
Answer: There are a few essential elements that make a winning combination: Chemistry! Can they laugh and have fun winning or losing.
- Seek a partner that compliments their style. It is often called: The Hammer & Wedge System. If you are a hammer…seek a wedge.
- Possess a common understanding of the nuances of doubles.
- Pick someone better than you.
I recommend going out to lunch and “talk shop”. See if the basic personalities of all parties “gel.” Some parent/coaches will only allow their child to play one style on all points regardless of the situation. This could prove disastrous. (The pro’s on tour rotate their formations.) Next, play at least 2 practice matches together before committing to an event.
Question: My son is shy. He knows he should communicate to his partner during the match, but does not know what to say. What’s your advice?
Answer: Doubles communication is critical in avoiding let downs and dissecting opponents. It is also important that team is synchronized; working as one. Here are some very important strategic issues that your son can use to communicate with his partner:
- The opponent’s technical strokes, strengths and weaknesses.
- The opponent’s favorite tactics and patterns that he has spotted.
- Identify the opponent’s system of play and their likes and dislikes.
- Investigate the opponent’s focus, intensity or lack of intensity.
- How to expose your team’s strengths and hide your weaknesses.
- Nonverbal communication is also very important. Facial expressions, body language or even tone of voice is detectable.
SPECIAL NOTE: Between points and during change-over is when constant communication occurs. On the Pro tour, doubles partners communicate an average of 80 times a match.
Question: My 12 year old daughter is scared of doubles. She says it’s confusing. Can you point her in the right direction?
Answer: Promote that doubles is a blast! Its team tennis, so she’s not out there all alone. Take her to watch high school tennis matches or better yet, college ball. As you watch doubles, begin explaining the role of each position in doubles. There are unique job descriptions, patterns, positions, and tactical options in each one.
She will need to develop the tactical options for all four of these positions:
1.) The Server
2.) The Server’s Partner
3.) The Return of Server
4.) The Returner’s Partner
Question: My daughter will not go to the net because she says she just gets lobbed. What is she doing wrong?
Answer: Often in juniors, we see players attack the net and place their volley’s back deep, right to the baseline opponent. This gives the baseline opponent plenty of time to lob.
Here’s a question. Which opponent doesn’t have reaction time? Is it the opposing net player or the opposing baseliner? The opposing net player is vulnerable and they can’t lob effectively from that court position.
FUN FACT: The basic rule is hit long to long and short to short. That means if your daughter is back, hit to the opposing back court opponent. If your daughter is at the net, juice the opposing net girl!
Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
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