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Crossminton-Handbuch

Giving each other room

Fitness · Beginner

Explanation

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Two players on one court need room for each other. Whoever doesn't crowd their partner plays more safely and faster — and avoids collisions that hurt and cost points. Giving each other room is a question of movement.

The basic idea is to move in relation to each other. If your partner goes forward, you hang back; if they pull to one side, you go to the other. Together you fill the court without overlapping. When one takes a ball, the other deliberately gets out of the way and covers the space that opens up.

A clear image helps: imagine you and your partner are joined by an invisible rope. When one moves, the other reacts. The rope keeps you at a good distance — close enough to complement each other, far enough not to hinder each other.

Getting out of the way matters especially on the middle ball. As soon as it's clear who takes it (through the call), the other immediately makes room instead of going for it out of reflex. That way the one who hits gets a clear path.

Two cyclists riding side by side instinctively keep their distance and steer apart when it gets tight. That's exactly how you give each other room in doubles — automatically and in relation to each other.

spacing leave each other space
Key graphic: giving each other room

Exercise

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On the invisible rope

Goal

Move in relation to each other and deliberately give each other room.

How to do it

  1. Move around the court as a pair and imagine you're joined by an invisible rope.
  2. If one goes forward, the other hangs back; if one pulls to the side, the other moves to the other side.
  3. Have balls fed to you: whoever takes the ball calls; the other immediately gets out of the way and covers the space that opens up.
  4. Take care to stay close enough to complement each other, but far enough not to hinder each other.
  5. Watch whether there are still near-collisions, and adjust your distance.

Self-check

Do you move in relation to each other, or do you get in each other's way? Does the other get out of the way as soon as it's clear who takes the ball? The invisible rope keeps you at a good distance — close enough to complement, far enough to avoid collision.

Wrap-up

Giving each other room makes doubles safe and fluid. Whoever moves in relation to each other avoids collisions and covers the court better.

Classification
Playing goals
Doubles-specific solutions, Repeated acceleration speed
Prerequisites
First steps in doubles, Footwork: center and split step