Mixed doubles positions

Setup

1. Mark a front-court zone on each side, from the net to a step behind the short service line.
2. Each pair picks a net player and a back player. Roles describe positions, not who the players are; swap roles during the session.
3. The net player starts near the T with the racket up; the back player starts in the centre of the mid-court.

How it runs

1. Stage 1: net players may only play shots from inside their front-court zone; back players play everything behind it.
2. Start with a low serve and play rally-point games to 11 under the stage 1 rule.
3. When their side lifts, many pairs keep the net player forward: the back player defends the straight smash, the net player covers the crosscourt and net replies. Agree your shape as a pair.
4. Stage 2: remove the zone rule, but award a bonus point when the net player finishes a rally at the net.
5. Swap roles and repeat. Use standard scoring for full matches and check your competition's rules for junior formats.

Coaching points

• Net player: racket up, stay near the T, hunt anything flat or short; don't chase shots that go over your head.
• Back player: hit down or flat whenever you can, so the net player gets chances to finish.
• Back player: straight smashes and drops keep the net player well placed to cover the reply.
• Defending: avoid lifting crosscourt, which stretches the back player.
• Talk: the back player calls 'yours' or 'mine' for shots over the net player's head.

Common mistakes

• The net player drifting backwards and leaving the front court empty.
• The back player lifting too often, so the pair is always defending.
• Both players going for the same mid-court shuttle.
• Crosscourt smashes from the back that leave the net player exposed to the straight reply.