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Net Notes: Be willing to lower the boom
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The tactical goal in a doubles match is to gain control of the front court and to then strike the ball decisively downward or angle the ball out of the opponents reach to win the point.
When I watch 3.0 and 3.5 players play doubles I often see that level player work hard to get good position at the net and then be unwilling to be decisive with the potential put away shot.
Being conservative from the back court and solidly consistent through the mid court transition zone is a wonderful attribute for a doubles player, but when you have worked your way into the kill zone near the net you must — I repeat — must be willing to lower the boom to win the point.
Placing that kill zone ball nicely to an opponent waiting in a defensive position in the back court is a goofy play at best.
Are you close enough to spike it at the nearest opponent and win the point by hitting them in the foot?
What about carving a sharp angle out of the reach of the player in the back court?
The drop shot is also an option if you are tight to the net and they are well back!
The play of pushing it back deep from that aggressive forward position isn’t really the time to execute a safe play.
When you get in tight to the net take off your halo and then put on some horns and make them deal with the bull!
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Howie Burnett is a member of the United States Professional Tennis Association and tennis director at the Island Country Club on Marco Island. Burnett welcomes questions on strokes, tactics or etiquette. To reach him, call the tennis shop at 394-4464 or e-mail him at islandclubtennis@hotmail.com.
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