tactical doubles
(Presented by mark tennant, ITF)
What is Tactical Doubles?
This is a timed doubles competition that encourages players to practice doubles tactics in matchplay. It is an ideal format to include at the end of a doubles workshop.
Organiser tips
COURTS AND PLAYERS: Divide players into doubles pairs. Number each pair 1-8. Set up courts with a different tactical doubles instruction for each:
Court 1: one up one back; one player in the pair must stay at the net with the other at the baseline
Court 2: serve and volleys; servers must serve and come up to the net on every point
Court 3: service boxes only; players lose the point if they step outside the service box after the serve and return have been played
Court 4: ‘I’ formation; the server’s partner stands in the middle at the net then chooses a side to move to after the serve
SCORING: Matches are timed for 10 minutes. Players count points 1, 2, 3, 4 – service works as in a tiebreak
SCORESHEETS: Pairs record their score in each match and enter on the main scoresheet (see next page)
Activity
ORDER OF PLAY: Put all pairs on court, 2 pairs per court. After each round all pairs move one court space to the right (see page 3). Play 8 rounds.
AT THE END: The winning pair is the one with the most points won.
Adapt the Format
Many formats can easily be adapted to suit players aged under 10, mixed ages, teams and to be a more or less competitive event.
Download ‘ADAPTING COMPETITION’ for a quick and easy guide to adapting this format to suit your needs.
Themes
Many competitions are more fun and easier to promote if they have a theme such as Davis Cup, Olympics or Family Day attached.
Download ‘ADDING THEMES’ for ideas.
Sample Scorecards
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