Tennis - Singles and Doubles Tennis

There are many strategy differences between playing singles and doubles tennis. This article attempts to shed some light on those as well as give some pointers on the actual playing of a match.

Singles tennis is a two player game that requires a massive amount of individualized mental and physical effort. A hard fought five set singles match can create one of the largests strains on the body and nervous system of any form of sport. Singles is a high paced game of daring moves, strategy, speed of foot and stroke of arm. Singles is far more a game of chance than doubles because you don't have a partner that is dependent upon you. This allows you to risk error for the possibility of a speedy victory.

The audience can at times enjoy the personaly more than the skill level of certain players. Singles brings two people into close and active relations that can show not only similarities but also stark differences in both their game and personalities. This is much more true than in doubles play because the spectator is in a position to both analyze and scrutinize every aspect of the match.

The freedom from mandated stuructue felt on a singles court is in marked contrast to the need for team work in doubles. You decide the timing, placement, speed and stroke style for every shot in singles and have the ability to take chances whenevr you feel the timing is right. Singles is more a game of imagination whereby doubles a science of exact angles and teamwork.

When playing doubles it is just as vital to play to your partner as in bridge. Every time you make a stroke you must do it with a definite plan to avoid putting your partner at a disadvantage. The keynote of doubles success is team work and not individual expertise. A team is only as strong as its weakest player at any given time during the match. In the case of one strong player and one weaker player, the team is only as good as the stronger player can make it by protecting and defending the weaker. This team work should always be planned and strategy designed around the individual brilliancy of the stronger man.

The first essential of doubles play is to always put the ball in play. Although a double fault is bad in singles it is inexcusable in doubles. The return of service should be strong, cleanly hit, low and to the server coming in. Passing two players is a difficult task at best do not try serving for clean aces until you have the perfect opening. Doubles is a game of constant and consistent attacking. The net is the only place in the court to play the doubles game efectively so you should always strive to attain the net position. You should always be trying for the kill at the sight of the smallest opening. Going for a shot which is not really on your side of the court is called poaching. Never poach unless you are going for the kill. It is a win or nothing shot since it opens your whole side of the court up. Trying to cover the entire court in doubles play should not be the main objective because all players strive to attain the net early and often. Volley and smash whenever possible and only retreat when abolutely necessary.

When the ball goes toward the sideline the net player on that side goes in close and toward the line. His partner falls slightly back and to the centre of the court which will help cover the shot between the men. If the next return goes to the other side, the two men reverse positions. The theory of court covering is two sides of a triangle with the angle in the cener and the two sides running to the sidelines and in the direction of the net.

Each player is responsible for covering overhead balls on his side of the court. The only time that a player should try and protect the overhead of his partner is when the net man "poaches," is outguessed, and the ball tossed over his head..

Always be ready to protect your partner, but do not take shots over his head unless he calls for you to, or you see a certain kill. Then say "Mine," step in and hit decisively. The decision of how to handleoverhead balls, crossing under them, and other details of teamwork are matters of personal preference and should be deecided by each team before the match begins.

The lob as a defencive play and is used mainly to give time to both players reposition. The value of service in doubles cannot be too strongly emphasized since it gives the net to the serving team. To lose service is an unpardonable sin in first class doubles. All shots in doubles should be low or very high. Do not hit shoulder-high as it is too easy for the opponent to kill. Volley down and hard whenever possible. Every shot taken should be made with purpose using any opening the court as the target.

Hit down the center during serves can help to disrupt the team work of the opposing team. Decide early on who weaker of your opponents is and focus your attack on him throughout the match. It is not smart to alternate your attacksince it simply puts both men on their game and tires neither.

Every doubles team should have a leader to direct its play. That person must always be willing pass the lead at any given point when his partner has the superior position. It is strategy of attack and not the type of stroke that the leader should determine. Finding the right partner and staying together for the long term will greatly enhance your chances of being successful and also help build a lifelong frindship in the process.

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