Serving in Doubles: Stay Back or Serve and Volley

Key Points

• Stand halfway between the center line and the inside tramline to serve
• Serve volley or stay back: this should be based on how big your serve is, how good the returner is and what surface you’re playing on
• Your split step or first volley position after the serve changes based on the return your opponent hits
• Try to generate as much speed as possible after the serve with a full sprint to the net
• This will help you generate enough momentum into the split step so you can move quickly in any direction
• You lose speed on the split step if it’s 1 big jump and your heels are on the ground
• Focus on a tap with your feet and a quicker split step so you can react quicker
• Tapping your feet helps you carry speed through your split step
• Use you leg to push back after the serve and be ready for a deep return when staying back
• Your base position after the serve should be behind the baseline
• Finishing the serve and remaining inside the baseline is a defensive position that will make it easier for the volleyer to attack
• Time your split step to when your opponent makes contact with the ball
• Attack the first volley with your legs
• Your last step on easy volleys should be the most aggressive one so you can generate power through the shot
• Use the legs to get under the ball on the low backhand volley and try not to dip the racket
• Follow through and continue to move through the volley after you hit