Tennis · Doubles play
Doubles positions: up and back
Learn where all four doubles players stand on serve and return, and how the net players move with the ball.
Start / 6
- Time
- 20 min
- Players
- 4
- Age
- U12+
- Area
- Full court
- Equipment
- 12 balls
Setup
- Two pairs on a full doubles court.
- Serving pair: server halfway between the centre mark and the doubles sideline, partner at the net in the other half.
- Receiving pair: receiver on the baseline, partner on the service line in the other half.
How it runs
- Server serves diagonally; two serves as normal, and the receiver must let it bounce.
- Baseliners rally crosscourt; net players stay up and look for a ball to volley.
- Coach calls 'Freeze' at any time; everyone stops and checks their spot.
- After 4 points, rotate: the net player serves, the server goes to the net, and the receivers swap sides.
Coaching points
- Net player stands in the middle of the service box, about two racket lengths from the net.
- Move with the ball: shift towards the sideline when the ball goes to your side, towards the middle when it goes crosscourt.
- Receiver's partner calls the serve in or out, then moves up once the return gets past the net player.
- Keep the rally crosscourt, away from the net player.
Common mistakes
- Net player standing on the service line, too far back to volley.
- Net player standing still while the ball moves.
- Baseliner hitting down the line straight at the net player.
Say it: “Ball moves, you move.”
Make it harder
- Net players score 2 for any winning volley.
- Play full games with normal doubles serving order.
Make it easier
- Start every point with a coach feed to the baseliners.
- Net players play the point out only after the third shot.
Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.