--- title: "Art 558: Return in Doubles: Team Coordination and Poaching Signals" description: "A guide to returning serve in doubles, covering team coordination, poaching signals, positioning, and how to work with your partner to break serve effectively." locale: en pillar: 6 article_id: 558 vault_sources: [] tags: ["return-tactics","doubles","team-coordination","poaching","partnership"] status: published
ART-558: Return in Doubles: Team Coordination and Poaching Signals
Executive Summary
Returning serve in doubles requires coordination with your partner, awareness of the net player's positioning, and tactical decisions based on the team's overall strategy. This article covers the key elements of effective doubles returning.
Key Differences in Doubles Returning
The Net Player Factor
In doubles, your partner is at the net, which: - Provides a target to aim at (serving at the net player) - Creates a poaching threat that affects the server's decisions - Requires communication about poaching and positioning - Changes the optimal return strategy
Return Positioning in Doubles
- Deuce court: Returner stands in the normal position, slightly toward the center
- Ad court: Returner stands in the normal position, slightly toward the center
- The net player stands at the service line, slightly toward the center
The Returner's Options
Crosscourt Return (Most Common)
- Returns the ball crosscourt to the server's partner
- Safest option because it goes over the lowest part of the net
- Keeps the ball away from the net player
- Allows time to recover
Down-the-Line Return
- Returns the ball down the line to the server
- More aggressive; can catch the server off-guard
- Riskier because it goes over the higher part of the net
- Vulnerable to poaching by the net player
Lob Return
- Lobs the ball over the net player's head
- Effective when the net player is poaching aggressively
- Buys time to recover
- Can be offensive (over the net player) or defensive (over the server)
At the Net Player
- Aims directly at the net player
- Can jam the net player or force a weak volley
- Useful when the net player is crowding the center
- Risky because it can be intercepted easily
Poaching Signals and Communication
Pre-Point Signals
Before the serve, the returner may signal the net player about the intended return: - Fist behind back: Return crosscourt - Open hand behind back: Return down the line - Pointing to one side: Lob to that side
Poaching Signals
The net player signals whether they intend to poach: - Fist behind back: No poach (stay in position) - Open hand behind back: Will poach - Pointing to one side: Will move to that side
Coordinating the Poach
If the net player signals a poach: - The returner should hit a firm crosscourt return - The net player intercepts the return (poaches) - The returner moves to cover the open court
If the net player signals no poach: - The returner can hit a more aggressive return - Down-the-line returns become safer - The net player stays in position to cover their half
Tactical Considerations
Returning First Serves
- Use a block or short swing
- Aim crosscourt to the safest target
- Focus on getting the ball in play
- Do not try to do too much with fast first serves
Returning Second Serves
- Move inside the baseline
- Attack with a full swing
- Target the server's weaker side
- Use the aggressive return to put pressure on the server
Returning When Your Partner Is Being Served At
When your partner is receiving serve: - Be ready for a poach from the net player - Move to cover the open court after your partner's return - Communicate about where the ball is going
Common Faults in Doubles Returning
Not Communicating with Partner
- Leads to confusion about poaching
- Results in both players going for the same ball
- Fix: Establish clear signals; practice communication
Returning Down the Line Too Often
- Makes the return predictable
- Vulnerable to poaching
- Fix: Vary return direction; use crosscourt as the default
Ignoring the Net Player
- The net player is a constant threat
- Returns must account for the net player's positioning
- Fix: Be aware of the net player; adjust return direction accordingly
Not Covering After Returning
- After the return, move to cover the open court
- Do not stay in the same spot
- Fix: Practice movement after returning
Diagnostic & Training Matrix
| Observation | Failure | Result | Corrective Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| No communication with partner | No established signals | Confusion and errors | Signal practice; communication drills |
| Returns too predictable | Always hitting same direction | Opponent anticipates | Vary return direction; mix up returns |
| Not aware of net player | Ignoring the net player | Returns intercepted | Awareness drills; watch the net player |
| Not covering after returning | Staying in same spot | Open court for opponent | Movement drills; cover-after-return practice |
| Too passive on second serves | Not attacking | Missed break opportunities | Aggressive return drills; second serve attack |
Practical Application: "The Doubles Return Routine"
Before each return in doubles: 1. Check your partner's signal (poach or no poach?) 2. Decide on your return direction based on the signal 3. Execute the return with commitment 4. Move to cover the open court after the return
This routine ensures coordination with your partner and prevents the confusion that leads to errors. Practice this routine until it becomes automatic.