Doubles Strategy
From TableTennisTraining
Your service tactics should take into account your service game, partner and your opponent (serve returner). Here are some suggestions:
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Number of service options
Having a reasonable arsenal of serves is important. You don't need ten tricky serves, but you do need at least one good short serve and one good long serve (although this isn't as important at the higher levels). Being able to vary the spin and placement on these two options alone will give you a very respectable service game.
If you are playing with a like-handed partner (i.e. two right-handers), a backhand serve is very nice to have. This will help you stay out of each other's way and allow your partner to see the ball contact on the serve.
Two-Bounce Serve
The first serve to learn is the short, low "two bounce" serve. "Two bounce" refers to a serve that will bounce twice before passing the end-line on your opponent's side of the table. This serve is important because it is virtually impossible to loop since you can't come at the ball from below (due to the table). At higher levels, it is generally best if the second bounce is within six inches of the end line – closer is better. Having the second bounce near the end has several benefits. The receiver will be making his return from farther away. The extra distance makes drop shots, short pushes, and any touch shots more difficult, which means that your partner will have a better chance to attack the return. Also, the extra distance gives your partner a split second more time to get into position. Lastly, when the ball gets really close to the end-line, your opponent must make a decision about whether or not it will clear the end-line. If he guesses that it will, then it doesn't, he'll likely make a weak, off-balance push. If your serves hit close to the end-line with regularity, your opponent will tend to expect it, and will be less likely to pounce on and loop the occasional long ball.
Short balls are even more important in doubles than in singles (where they already are the serve of choice in high-level play). Because of the restricted area in which balls can be served in doubles, a looper doesn't need to move in order to attack a double's serve. It is very likely they will be able to attack most long balls with a lot of power since they will have plenty of time to focus on the shot and they will be well balanced. It's probably not an exaggeration to say that against a strong looper who can handle all three basic types of long balls (underspin, topspin, and dead), 80-90% of your serves should be short or at least half-long in doubles, to prevent them from immediately finishing off the rally with a well-placed loop.
Two-Bounce Serve Spin (Sidespin not included)
Backspin is the most common, and generally the most useful spin for use against intermediate and lower level players. Varying the amount of backspin is important – disguising what you are doing is awesome (I can dream!). Flat (no spin) serves are also very useful – especially when disguised or against long pip or anti rubber. The topspin variation is a bit more difficult to master, but is very useful as many players simply aren't used to it and tend to push it, popping it up. After you have developed a reliable two-bounce serve, work to add variations and disguise your serves a little at a time. While variety is nice, you MUST have at least one really solid, reliable option. Even while working on new serves and variations, make sure you practice your established serves enough to stay sharp.
Very Short Backspin Serve
Although usually not problematic for high-level players, many lower and intermediate level players struggle to do anything with very short, low, heavy serves. If you can vary the spin without being obvious, you'll likely get a fair number of netted returns and pop-ups. Better players, annoyingly, tend to drop these serve just over the net, which will put the pressure on your partner.
Long Serves
Long serves are fast, low serves where the first bounce on your opponent's side is within six inches of the end line. The faster and deeper you can make these, the better. At lower levels, this serve can win points outright. At mid-levels, it should be used more sparingly, and disguised more. At high levels, you better pick your spots carefully and be very sneaky.
The classic, and fastest long serve is with topspin. The topspin will pull the ball down, allowing more speed. The down side is that topspin serves, if read correctly, can be ripped mercilessly.
Like with short serves, a bit of variation and disguise is very useful. Really fast backspin serves are pretty much impossible, but medium fast ones are very effective against many – like me. They are just fast enough to reduce the reaction and thinking time of your opponent. If they reflexively rip at it like it had topspin, they'll net it.
Flat serves are also a nice option. They can be served faster than backspin, but still require your opponent to make a quick accurate read.
Sidespin Serves
Very briefly, sidespin is almost always a good thing – unless you are serving to a long pips player. It is just one more thing your opponent has to consider and deal with. With a forehand pendulum serve, some degree of left sidespin is pretty much built-in. Right sidespin is much more difficult to accomplish with a forehand serve. At lower levels, top sidespin serves mixed with bottom sidespin serves can result in some entertaining return failures. Nothing makes me happier than when I have to leap left and reach up to catch the return!
Movement Tips and Strategies
Many inexperienced doubles players fail to move to a good position after finishing a shot. They move to get out of the way for their partner, but then fail to return to a position where they can hit the next ball. A common mistake after hitting a forehand is to continue moving to the forehand side, giving their partner the full table to handle a shot, but leaving themselves forced to return the next ball with their backhand.
To avoid the above problem, be sure to move a position where you can cover most of the table with your forehand and the rest with your backhand. For most players, this is the same place you prefer to stand when initially receiving a serve. This positioning is then subject to modification based on where the player who will hit the ball to you is located. Position your self so as to face him, given the angle he is currently standing at (exactly the same way as you should during a singles match).
The most common doubles movement strategy is to have the player who will hit the ball next come forward towards the table, while the player who has just struck the ball moves back away from the table. Sometimes you may move to the side instead after hitting a shot when you can't move back, but make sure you then fall back quickly thereafter and get back to a more central position.
Most players have stronger forehands than backhands. Assuming this is the case, if your partner is receiving the serve, postion yourself so as to be able to take most return shots with your forehand. For right-handed players this means standing to the left of your partner when he receives the serve. Vice versa, left-handed players should stand to the right of their partner when he receives the serve.
Partner
Playing Hand
If your partner is left-handed (and you a righty) you will have the luxury of using forehand pendulum serves without blocking his vision. This is a nice advantage for most people. Also, he will be able to see your ball contact, so should get a good read on your spin. Service signals are not as important – unless you or your partner have VERY well disguised serves. This also holds true when your partner is serving.
If your partner is right-handed, some accommodations will have to be made. Unless you both have viable backhand serves, service signals are critical. If either of you forehand serves, not only will you block your partner's view of the ball contact, you'll (probably) have to move more quickly to get out of his way while avoiding blocking his view. This can be done, but adds a level of difficulty.
Strengths/Preferences
In general, if your partner is a good blocker, counterdriver, counterlooper, or chopper, long serves can be considered. If they are weak over the table (flipping and/or pushing), long serves may even be preferable. (This probably doesn't hold true for 2000+ level players, but they should already know all this and more!)
If your partner has a sharp short game, short serves are the ticket. Two- bounce serves are difficult to attack. If your opponents are primarily pushers, keep everything short and primarily backspin, then let your partner set you up. Feel free to throw in some flat and topspins occasionally – even short game experts like to kill a ball now and then.
If your partner is versatile (bless him!) you are free to be creative. Your partner's specialties should be considered. For example, if he loves looping wide pushes and flips, use more angle than normal. Many folks find it impossible to resist flipping short, wide topspin or top-right serves wide crosscourt.
Weakness
If your partner has some glaring weakness, you should take them into consideration. An example would be to avoid long serves if your partner is a shaky blocker. Another obvious one would be not serving heavy sidespin if your partner handles returns off these poorly (especially against long pips).
Special Case #1 – Long Pip Partner
Spin the heck out of the ball, and then pay attention. Your opponent's partner should have his hands full. If he gets it back, you will be glad you paid attention. With practice, you'll get used to this – I hope to….
Special Case #2 – Long Pip Opponent
Unless your partner is really good, avoid sidespin serves like the plague when serving to an opponent with long pips. Trust me. In general, long, flat serves are safest. Long pips players have few options here, and generally have to chop, bat, or roll these back – all of which are basically flat.
Slightly Advanced Options
If your partner is fairly comfortable against long pips, top and backspin serves are fair game. Service signals are critical! Medium backspin serves will generally get medium topspin back, which, if anticipated, can be ripped. If your partner likes to loop underspin, serve up medium topspin and let him go to town.
Opponent
Playing Hand
Left-handed opponents are tough. They have the ability to simply step forward a bit to reach ANY possible short serve with ease. This is significant. If you are playing a lefty with a stiff wrist, you can usually keep them from going hard crosscourt, and sometimes even crosscourt at all. Heavy left-spin two-bounce serves will usually keep their return to the left (your vantage point) side or center of the table. If they have a limber wrist, they won't be as constrained. If they REALLY cheat to the right, you might be able to sneak a fast serve down the middle. If you set it up with a few extra-wide and short serves, you have a better chance. If you do this and your partner eats it, either do it again immediately (hoping that your opponent will know that nobody would be dumb enough to try it twice in a row), then forget it, or just forget it entirely. Partners have been known to get miffed when they get to eat two in a row….
If your opponent is a right-handed, basically serve the way you don't want to be served. If they return with their forehand, short, wide serves are generally difficult to handle. Once they get comfortable stepping in, a topspin, left-spin serve down the line will "brush them back." If they casually rip this serve, you better be wary. If your opponent can rip the above-mentioned ball and flip wide with a vengeance, medium long, knuckle busters to the middle are probably your best bet. This decreases both the angle he has to work with and his margin of error.
Strengths/Preferences
In general, if your opponent is a powerful looper, long serves are not your friend.
If he is a strong flipper and pusher, but not too intimidating on loops, long serves may be a good idea (depends on your partner).
Sometimes the best you can do is to keep him from ripping the ball. If his short and long games are both strong, you need to attack whichever your partner is most comfortable with.
Weakness
If your opponent has some glaring weakness, you should obviously take advantage of them. Most of these are obvious, but look for more subtle things as well. For example, if they ALWAYS flip or push to the same spot, point this out to your partner and save him some steps. Another rule is to throw in a fast serve to see how they react. Some otherwise solid players struggle with these.
Special Case #3 - Short Pip Opponent – especially penholders
Many of the best serve returners I've run into are pips-out penholders. They have an uncanny ability to attack any "slightly high" serve. What makes them even more of a threat is that their attacks against backspin serves have much heavier topspin than their normal shots. They are very good against short serves, but can be erratic against deep serves because they can't generate as much topspin as an inverted player. Yet a deep serves allows them to attack, so while you may mix them in, you should favor short no-spin and backspin serves, ideally with the second bounce right around the endline. Short sidespin and topspin serves are good variations, but pips-out players often attack them very aggressively.
It's a good idea to the variations with your partner before a match. Find out what he is or isn't comfortable with, what serves he has that match your game, and what he knows about your upcoming opponents. Pick the right service strategy, and you'll likely come out a winner!
Shot Placement
Most of the normal rules of where to aim the ball apply in doubles as in singles, but there is one extra dimension: your opponent's partner acts as an obstacle for him! One of the best places to an attack shot is directly at your opponent's partner or a similar place where he blocks your opponent from being able to get to the ball.
