THE ART OF DOUBLES-PART I
Winning Tennis Strategies and Drills
By Pat Blaskower 2007
Reviewed by Billy E. Crawford
Why, you ask, is Crawford at his age reading a book about the art of doubles?
A little history might be helpful. The first 14 years of my life I had not touched a tennis racquet. And if I had, there were no tennis courts for “country miles.”
Only when I was in the tenth grade and my family and I moved to a larger metropolis did I begin to “play” tennis. There were two poorly maintained public courts, surrounded with chicken wire with several gaping holes that the elusive balls would funnel onto the nearby well-maintained public golf course.
I was lucky if I could find one person who also enjoyed playing tennis. Only once in a miraculous blue moon would four willing-bodies converge to form a doubles competition.
Enough history!
Only after my retirement have I not only time to improve my art of doubles, but now a beautiful tennis facility with many friends who love to play along.
First I bought the least expensive Lobster ball machine. A wise decision!
When I realized I was developing poor stroke habits, I began taking periodic lessons from a master teaching professional. Another very wise move!!
And now after reading several tennis instruction books, may I recommend this particular book on doubles by Pat Blaskower as one of the best (it has 45 full page diagrams for visual learners like me).
In Part I of this book review, I will share what the author believes are the shots we all need to be successful in doubles:
- Half volley: played off a ball that has struck the court but must be volleyed anyway. Bad News: many of us club players try to use a ground- stroke to execute the shot. Good News: indeed, the stroke production should precisely replicate that of a volley. In fact the author believes the half volley is the most important shot in doubles. KEY: we must learn to keep it low enough that it bounces in front of the other crosscourt player.
- A Spin Serve: 80% of the time served up the middle
Use both slice and top –spin
Spinning the serve helps us better control the ball and allows us to remain in control of our first volley. Getting a high percentage of first serves in is very important.
- An Excellent Array of Volleys-no other stroke demands such diversity
a. Deep ugly volleys as part of our defense against lobbers
b. Angle volleys against lobbers and net-rushing teams
c. Lob volley against net rushers
- Overhead: KEY: Learn to hit angled overhead aimed inside the service line into either alley
- A Slice Backhand: A great approach shot to hit coming to the net
Also it can buy time to get back into a better position on the court
6. A Dropshot: A great weapon against lobbers
Make sure to keep the apex of the ball on OUR side of the net because the higher it is on our side, the shorter it drops on THEIR side.
7. An Underspin Lob: The stroke production mimics that of the volley
a. Great for playing in the wind
b. Useful for returning serve
c. Is excellent disguise shot because looks just like the drop shot
So, when we say that, “playing singles and playing doubles is like playing two different games” we are speaking truth. One reason is the strokes we use.
In” The Classic Instruction Series” from Tennis Magazine, Ron Holmberg, a three time All-American at Tulane, Professional tennis player, and later varsity coach at West Point, states his view of the differences between singles and doubles.
In singles a player can sometimes get away with a slashing attack---going for winners all the time by hitting a good serve and hard ground strokes. Except on those relatively rare days when his/her game is “on” this type of player frequently has trouble playing doubles. Even then it doesn’t make for an enjoyable game—especially at the Club level. The reason is because in doubles it is placement matters more than power in winning points.
HAPPY READING
For suggestions, comments, or other input, you can reach me at billyecrawford@gmail.com
