TennFest Doubles 1-2-3-4, which partially is based on a great book, "Laugh and Win at Doubles", written by Vic Braden and Bill Bruns (1996) and my takes on doubles know-hows. Send me your comments.

Step 1: Prelude

Who should play the deuce (right, forehand) court: A player who has most reliable service returns; who is a conservative, consistent player; who tends to be a logical thinker, enjoying strategic ploys and crafty shots; who is a lefty.

Who should play the ad (left, backhand) court:  A player who has overall stronger games; who has a stronger backhand or who can better handle a backhand; who has a strong forehand overhead; who has a strong forehand volley; who likes to poach; who is a flashy player, thrives on the pressure and loves the center stage.

Step 2: Serving Team

Serve is the most important shot in doubles, followed by service returns, volleys, lobs, overheads, and baseline groundstorkes. When serving, try to toss the ball forward to finish toward the net after you make contact. Make sure your right elbow goes to full extension above your eye level. If you toss the ball straight up, the gravity of your body stays over the baseline, which delays your move to the net.

The best serve in doubles is to serve deep and down the middle, i.e., serve to the T, regardless whether it is to the forehand or backhand of the receiver. This serve will reduce the return angle and set up a poach by your partner. Of course, you should always mix serves/shots up to keep your opponents guessing and off-balanced.

After serving, the server should rush to the net and take a split step just before the receiver strikes the ball. The step will keep you balanced and enable you to break into any direction for next shot. In doubles, the net position is also called power position and the team that controls the net controls the point because technically, you need less skill to win a point at the net than at the baseline. Geometrically, you widen your volley angle to set up a putaway shot and you also narrow the return angles from your opponents. Psychologically, you increase your opponents' anxiety level and force an error.

The partner of the server should be on his toes as the serve is hit so that he's ready to break quickly in any direction against the returner's shot.

Step 3: Service Return Team

As a (service) returner, you need to pick a target area and keep an automatic shot selection in mind. If you can drive a service return close to the outside corner of the crosscourt service box with a reasonable pace and close to the net tape, you'll keep the return away from the net person and give the onrushing server a tough volley to hit.

You may also drive the return low and down the middle at the feet of the net players. This is an effective shot because: (1) the ball is easier to clear the net which is 6" lower in the center, (2) it may create confusion to your opponents, and (3) it cuts off the angle of the return volley.

You may also hit a deep lob which may take you from the defensive to the offensive position, although few teams can lob consistently from the baseline to drive their opponent away from the net and set up winning shots. As your opponents move backward to retrieve the lob, you need to move forward, matching your opponents step for step to the net to attack.

Finally, hitting a higher, deeper shot, a.k.a., moon ball, from the baseline will buy you extra time to reach the net.

Step 4: What Else

Constantly learn to read and anticipate your opponents' intentions.

Develop a triple vision mind-set: Eyes on the ball, mega court senses and effective shot executions.

Be moving, running, stretching as a team, with 10 to 12 feet apart, as though connected by a string. Since doubles is a "10-second" tennis, if you're standing still for two shots, you've probably committed a serious error.

"Flow with the ball" to minimize the open court for your opponents. Get to the right court position immediately after you or your partner return a shot.

Always exploit any lack of team work by your opponents and don't be afraid to attack the weaker player. Aim for the right hip (right hander) of "the weakest link".

If your opponents play "one up, one back" doubles, hit a diagonal (in-between) shot or use underspin/drop shots to bring the player in and then hit right back at him to challenge his volleying ability.

Force your opponents to hit up (from below net level) so you can hit down.

Volley a winner from above net level or bent down to execute a low volley or half volley. Keep in mind that the player closer to the net has priority on any shot within reach, but avoid being a court hog. If both players are equally close to the net, the player who has the better volley down the middle should take the shot.

If your opponents move in for a short return, you need to retreat step for step to maintain a "response distance" between you and your opponents. However, do not retreat behind the service line or camp out between the service line and the baseline, a.k.a., no man's zone.

If the returner hits a decent lob, you need to turn and run back three steps before looking up to see where the ball is. This will get you back quickly and still allow plenty of time to look up and begin to track the ball's trajectory.

Don't hesitate to yell "HELP" or "YOURS" when a lob is just over your head or a shot can be barely reached by you . When do so, be decisive and call the shot as early as possible.

When your partner running behind you to retrieve a shot, you need to switch to the other side to cover the open court and keep a constant distance between your position and where the ball bounces. If you don't have time to run across the court, bend down so your partner will have a full view of the court.

Don't give up the point until the fat lady sings: When you hit a poor shot, don't assume you are going to lose the point. Stay in a defensive position and make your opponent hit a better shot to win the point.

Have a different game plan or style changes when nothing works.

Have a "last-resort" strategy: when the scores are 5-40 or love-40, make a surprise move.

Last but not the least: Savor the sensation of the doubles match. Play hard and smart. Win or lose will all be cool cuz we don't play for food.

Okay. After reading my doubles thesis, you still have something to add. Send me an email.