Levels of the Game (copy)

I watch enough club-level doubles matches to see the patterns emerge that clearly and simply separate the many levels of play.

At the 2.5 and 3.0 levels, points are generally lost on technical errors (poorly executed swings)  from the back of the court.

At the 3.5 level, points are won at the net a bit more often, rather than lost by badly executed baseline ground strokes.

Teams at the 4.0 level press the issue at the net even more regularly, and the percentage of points won by the teams able to establish the front-court position is clearly the dominant factor in matches.

At the 4.5 and 5.0 levels, players generally possess both high-level offensive and defensive skills.

The battle between teams to establish the net position is ongoing and constant, but the deft lob, the heavily spun passing shot and the softly sliced angle can neutralize and defeat all but the most well-executed attack.

Points at that level very often end with the ball striking a player to score the point, rather than the shot being placed into an open area of the court where a highly skilled opponent can track it down and devise a way to burn you.

The lesson to be learned from this observation is that, although aggressive net play is the hallmark of high-level doubles, you shouldn't neglect the development of your ground strokes. Ground strokes are the defensive edge of the sword in doubles and must be honed to a fine edge if you expect to defeat a well-positioned and technically proficient team at the net.

Practice the lob until you own it. Work on slicing the ball a bit,  in an effort to play a soft low ball at the net rusher's feet. The staple of all good defenders is the topspin passing shot, which will enable you to angle away from or power through a team that has established itself in the kill zone.

The fundamentals will forever be the fundamentals. Constantly polish those core skills until your execution is thoughtless and automatic.

Howie Burnett is a USPTA Elite Level Professional with over 50 years of coaching experience. Before accepting the Tennis Director position at the Island Country Club in 1998, he operated the Net Advantage Tennis Club management company and concurrently served for 10 years as Head Coach of the USTA Training Center for Elite level Juniors in Central Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Howie was inducted into the United States Professional Tennis Association New England Hall of Fame in 2016. He is currently teaching part-time on the Tennis Staff at the Marco Island YMCA. His Book --NET NOTES (common sense ideas to lift your game) is available on amazon.com. You may contact him with tennis questions or lesson inquiries at hb10s@me.com or text 239-450-0226.