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byby BillBill andand MattMatt Previdi,Previdi, USPTAUSPTA ProfessionalsProfessionals
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In order to get to a destination efficiently and repeatedly it helps to use GPS so you can get there as easily as possible and as often as you would like. Even if you make a mistake on your way, your GPS will reroute and correct you, so you are virtually guaranteed success in your travels.
In doubles, many players are trying to get to a destination (winning more matches) with faulty or no GPS. They play random tennis and rely on flawed strategies and are frustrated when they don’t get consistent results. Today I would like to share The Previdi Systems GPS for match play. The ingredients you and your partner need to have an advantage over your opponents because you will develop patterns based on what the analytics tell us about being successful in doubles.
1) Get a high percentage of first serves in. This is confusing to many players because they will tell you that they’re trying to get more first serves in. The problem is that they are trying to make a low percentage serve (flat), a high percentage of the time. Spoiler alert: this doesn’t work! When you hit a first serve, your opponent is less likely to be thinking about being aggressive and more likely to be concerned with making a good return. It's also much easier to utilize and involve your partner on your first serve. 2) You must make two balls on every point! We know that the average point in doubles lasts 3.2 shots. That means if you make your first two shots (serve +1, or return +1), you will win the average point and you will be able to win any points that exceed 4 shots. This also informs the practice court. It makes no sense to do drills and games that don't include serve and return. In fact, you should only do drills that don't include those shots when you're warming up in your clinic or practice.
3) Control the net as a team. When you stay at the baseline after a serve or return, you make yourself vulnerable in several ways:
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a) The other net player is a danger to your team. b) You're playing 1 vs. 2 if the opponents both come to the net, and you leave your partner vulnerable to being attacked. c) If your opponent is smart, they will hit SAL (short, angled, and low) and force you to run to et balls rather than hitting everything deep. d) You will only be able to get a lob over your partner's head after it bounces. This is a huge disadvantage.
So how should you position yourselves at the net?
You always want the player that is on the same side as the ball (server's partner, receiver's partner on a crosscourt return) closer to the net. They will be getting any balls that land in the yellow area. They are also close to the center window (turquoise box), the area 4.5 feet to either side of the center strap. Eighty percent of balls in doubles pass through the center window so we need to control that window to be successful. We call the player who is at the net
The Hunter.
The server or receiver that puts the ball in
front of the Hunter is called The Helper. Their job is to set up the Hunter by keeping the ball in front of them. The Helper is always farther back than their partner (Hunter), just inside or just
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behind the service line depending on the depth of their shot. This will ensure that no lobs can get over their head and it sets up a foolproof scenario on middle balls: The Hunter has opportunity, and The Helper has responsibility. Since the two players are not next to each other there will be no confusion on middle balls. Problem solved.
4) Control the Center Window. Since 80% of balls go through the center window, it is imperative that you control the window on three specific occasions: a) When you are winning. You need to cut off more balls when you're winning and there is no risk to you. It also puts much more pressure on the opponent. b) When your partner hits a shot that makes the opponent uncomfortable. c) When you see a pattern in your opponent on a specific shot or situation.
5) Be disruptive and practice disruption. Every server would prefer that all returns of serve come crosscourt so they don't have to run and can hit their favorite shots (groundstrokes, lobs). You need to practice SAL returns when going crosscourt but more importantly you need to get proficient at lob returns and hard returns at the opposing net player. Your opponents don't prepare for these returns and will be very uncomfortable when you show them how weak they are against them. This tactic will also make the crosscourt returns you hit more effective.
6) The Server and their partner should always
have a plan. Whether they are using signals or talking, the server and the net player must always be on the same page for every point. There is no
valid reason for not being on the same page.
Review
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. First serves in. Always make the first two shots. Both players at the net: Hunter and Helper. Close the Center Window whenever possible. Use variety to be disruptive. Always have a service game plan.
Bill and Matt Previdi have developed The Previdi System...Doubles for the Smart Player. They specialize in teaching adult, competitive doubles players, and have presented at USPTA conferences around the country. They are annually on the faculty at The Tennis Congress, the largest program for adult players in the nation. www.theprevidisystem.com
