First steps in doubles

In doubles you share your court with a partner. One player becomes two — and that changes everything. Together you cover more ground, but you also have to coordinate so you don't get in each other's way. Doubles is its own, shared game, not singles with two people.

The first basic idea is to think as a pair. You're not responsible for your half of the court alone while your partner handles the other — you play together and help each other out. When your partner takes a ball, you cover the space that opens up. You move in relation to each other, not each for themselves.

The second basic idea is to watch your partner. You keep an eye on where they are and what they're doing. If they take the ball, you hang back and get ready for the next one. You take turns and complement each other, instead of both doing the same thing.

The following modules go through the simple basics: who takes the ball, how you serve, how you talk to each other and how you give each other room. Everything else builds on that.

A good doubles pair is like two dancers sharing a floor. Each has their space, both move in relation to each other — and neither steps on the other's toes.

Next time you play doubles, pay deliberate attention to thinking as a pair rather than as two singles players: do you keep an eye on where your partner is? Do you cover the space they leave when they take a ball? Set out to move as one shared team that complements each other, instead of each just guarding their own piece of court.