How To Communicate With Your Tennis Doubles Partner
For two people to work together effectively on the court, they need to be able to communicate clearly and efficiently. This means understanding each other’s strengths, weaknesses, tendencies and preferences so that they can play their best game as a team. By learning how to communicate effectively in doubles tennis, players can increase their chances of winning matches and having more enjoyable experiences overall. I will explore some tips for effective communication in doubles tennis that every player should know.
Use Hand Signals
Hand signals can be used to communicate basic instructions between partners without saying a word. They are especially helpful when you need to exchange information quickly. For example, you could inform your partner to serve to the opponent's backhand or forehand so that you can be more prepared when you are at the net to volley.
Call Out Shots
This means you should be vocal about your intention to go after a ball, especially if it is going to land close to your partner's side of the court. That way, you and your partner will not try to return the same shot, leading to confusion. You can simply say "My shot!" if you think you are in a better position to reach for a ball and return it.
Talk Through Tough Situations
If one of you makes an error during a crucial point or misses an easy shot, communicate with each other about how best to respond moving forward instead of blaming one another for mistakes made earlier in the point or match. Encouraging words like “we got this” or “let’s keep fighting” will help build confidence within your team dynamic and make it easier for both players to stay focused on winning rather than dwelling on past errors or bad luck.
Celebrate Together After Every Point Won
Whether it was an epic 20-ball rally or a straightforward service ace - celebrate together after each point won! High-fives work great but don't forget about verbal encouragement too; hearing positive feedback can go a long way towards increasing morale while also reminding each other why they're playing doubles in the first place - because it's fun!
Offer Constructive Feedback After The Match
Once the match has ended, take some time afterwards for reflection and conversation about what went well and what didn't go so well during the match. Discussing areas for improvement can often be beneficial for understanding how you and your partner can work better together in future matches.
To sum it up, communication is key when playing doubles tennis. Utilising hand signals and calling out shots can help to coordinate both players' actions effectively. It’s also important for players to talk through tough situations together and celebrate each point won as a team. Lastly, offering constructive feedback after the match will allow partners to reflect on their performance and make adjustments accordingly in future matches. By following these tips, you should be well-equipped with everything needed for effective communication in your next game of doubles tennis!
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About The Author
Darren Teo is the founder of Play! Tennis, the most Google reviewed tennis academy in Singapore. His passion for making tennis accessible to everyone regardless of their age, experience and ability continues to drive his work at the school. He is a thought leader in LinkedIn with 14,000 followers.