Doubles Positioning For Adult League Players

The two-player wall

The single biggest scoring gain available to a recreational doubles team costs nothing and requires no new stroke: move together.

When your partner is pulled wide, you shift with them. When they're pushed back, you come back with them. Teams that hold a rigid one-up-one-back formation regardless of where the ball goes hand away the middle all afternoon.

Down the middle solves the riddle. That works for you when you hit it — and it works against you when you leave it open.

Three rules for league night

• Serve and hold. You don't need to serve big. You need to serve to a target and get into position before the return arrives.
• Return crosscourt by default. The lowest-risk return in doubles is deep and crosscourt, away from the net player.
• Close on short balls. A ball that lands inside the service line is an invitation. Take it.

On calling lines

Call lines honestly — in is in, out is out, and if you truly aren't sure, the ball was good. That's not politeness, it's the rule. Sportsmanship plus consistency equals improvement, and it's the standard on every court Don runs.