When both opponents stay behind the baseline, the tempting response is to hit harder and try to blast through them. That often gives them exactly what they want: a steady stream of balls they can return from comfortable positions. A better doubles plan is to make one baseliner move, bring your team forward behind a useful shot, and make the pair defend more than one direction at once.
The aim is not to rush the net blindly or hit a winner on every ball. It is to use the court’s angles, your team’s positioning, and the pressure of two players closing forward to turn a baseline exchange into a difficult defensive problem.
Start by making the baseline pair move
Two baseliners can cover a lot of court when they are balanced and hitting from behind the baseline. They are less comfortable when one has to move wide while the other must decide whether to cover the middle, protect the line, or help with a short ball. Use direction and depth to create that uncertainty.
- Move them side to side. Crosscourt shots usually travel over the lower part of the net and give you more court to work with. A deep crosscourt ball can pull one opponent wide; the next shot can go behind that player or toward the middle.
- Change the depth. A deep ball followed by a shorter angle can draw an opponent forward. A short ball followed by a deep shot can force a retreat. Changing depth is often more useful than trying to hit harder.
- Use the middle with purpose. A ball between the opponents can cause hesitation, especially if they have not agreed who takes the middle. Aim with enough margin rather than trying to thread a narrow gap.
Think of the rally as a way to earn a forward move. If you and your partner are still near the baseline, do not charge in just because you have hit one decent ball. Look for a reply that is short, high, or off balance. That is your invitation.
Move forward together
Against two players who stay back, your strongest formation is often both partners at the net—but only after you have created a safe chance to advance. Two players at the net can take time away, cut off angles, and make the baseliners hit up. Two players moving forward behind a weak or short shot, by contrast, can be passed or lobbed easily.
When one partner approaches, the other should read the ball and move with them. If the approach is hit deep and toward a corner, the net player can shade toward the middle while the approaching player closes forward. If the approach is weak or leaves the opponents an easy crosscourt pass, hold a more cautious position rather than charging all the way in.
As a pair, move in the direction of your shot, but do not both chase the same angle. The net player should protect the likely reply while the approaching player covers the open space. A clear call such as “mine,” “switch,” or “stay” prevents two players from moving toward the same ball.
Serve to create an attack—not just to start the point
A serve against a baseline pair should set up your next shot. A well-placed serve can make the returner reach, hit from a cramped position, or send the ball into a predictable area. You do not need maximum pace to do this. A body serve, for example, can jam the returner and make it harder to aim cleanly past the net player.
- Serve wide, then cover the middle. A wide serve can stretch the returner. The server’s partner should be ready to intercept a return that comes back toward the center, while the server moves in behind the serve if the reply is short.
- Serve through the body. This can limit the returner’s swing and make a controlled return harder. It is also useful when the returner is standing far to one side.
- Vary location and spin. If the returner starts leaning toward a pattern, change the target. A predictable serve makes the net player’s job much harder.
The server’s partner should be active without guessing recklessly. A small move toward the middle can make the returner see less court, but the partner should not abandon the line every time. Watch the returner’s balance and racket face; a rushed or stretched return is a better signal to poach than a comfortable one.
Pressure the return with smart positioning
On the return game, avoid treating every return as a chance for a clean winner. The first goal is to make the server’s team play a difficult next ball. A deep return through the middle can take away easy angles and force the net player to decide whether to intercept. A low crosscourt return can make that player volley up, giving your team a chance to attack the next shot.
If the opposing net player is poaching aggressively, change the picture. Return down the line occasionally, aim at the net player’s feet when the ball allows it, or use a lob over the player who is moving forward. You do not need to try all three on every return. A few well-chosen changes can make the net player hesitate—and hesitation gives the returner more room.
When your partner returns, start in a position that lets you react in either direction. Stand close enough to discourage a middle return, but not so close that a sharp drive down the line passes untouched. Adjust after you see the opposing net player’s habits. If they cross early, protect the line more; if they stay home, look for a chance to step across and intercept.
Use lobs and low balls to disrupt the pattern
Baseliners often expect the ball to stay in front of them. A lob changes the height and direction of the rally, particularly when one opponent has moved forward to meet your shot. Use it when the net player is leaning toward the middle or standing close to the net. A high, deep lob gives your team time to recover; a shorter lob can be effective if the opponents are crowded forward, but it is riskier.
Low balls are another useful tool. A dipping shot at the feet can force a baseliner who has moved inside the court to hit upward. If your team is already at the net, that defensive reply may sit up for a volley. Avoid driving every ball flat at the opponents’ bodies; a low, controlled ball is often harder to attack than a faster one at waist height.
Keep the tactics within the rules
Doubles positioning is flexible. Except for the server’s required position and the requirement to serve diagonally into the correct service court, players may generally stand where they choose. The receiver’s partner does not have to stand in a fixed spot, and the server’s partner can adjust their position as well. The doubles alleys are part of the court during a doubles point.
That freedom makes it reasonable to experiment with a closer net position, a deeper starting position, or a planned poach. Agree on the plan before the point, though. A simple signal or call helps both partners know whether the net player intends to cross and who will cover the line. Also remember that a player must not obstruct or distract an opponent deliberately; normal movement and communication between partners are part of doubles, but avoid behavior intended to interfere with the other team.
A simple point pattern to practice
Try this pattern when you are serving against two baseliners:
- Serve wide or into the body to make the returner move or shorten the swing.
- Have the server’s partner hold a ready position near the middle, watching for a reachable return.
- If the return is short, the server moves forward behind a deep approach toward a corner.
- The net player shades toward the middle while the server closes in to cover the open side.
- On the next ball, look for a volley into the space left by the moving opponent rather than trying to hit through both players.
If the return is deep and strong, stay back or reset the point instead of forcing the approach. The pattern is a guide, not a promise that every serve should lead to a charge. Good doubles teams recognize when the opportunity has not arrived yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should we rush the net against two baseliners?
Move forward when your shot has put the opponents under pressure—typically with a deep, low, or wide ball that produces a weaker reply. Charging behind a comfortable ball gives them time to pass or lob you.
Where should we aim most of our shots?
Use crosscourt shots for safer angles, then change direction when an opponent is stretched or out of position. The middle is useful when it creates confusion or takes away sharp angles, but avoid aiming so precisely that you lose a manageable margin.
Is poaching a good idea against two baseliners?
Yes, if it is timed well. Look for a returner who is stretched, rushed, or facing a predictable serve. A net player who crosses on every ball can leave the line open and become easy to read.
Can the receiver’s partner stand anywhere?
Generally, yes. Doubles players can choose their positions, while the server must follow the service-position rules and deliver the ball into the correct diagonal service court. Check the competition’s rules if you are playing under a specific format or local regulation.
Final Thoughts
Against two baseliners, the most reliable plan is to create movement before trying to finish the point. Use depth, angles, and occasional changes of height to draw a weak reply, then advance as a pair and take away time. Stay patient when the opening is not there, communicate clearly, and make your opponents defend different parts of the court. That is how you turn their comfortable baseline position into a problem.
