When both opponents crowd the net, every comfortable ball seems to come back as a sharp volley. The answer is not to hit harder at their rackets. It is to make them move, take away their angles, and choose the right moment to pass or lob.
Two players at the net can be formidable, especially on a fast court, but they also leave space behind them and have less time to react to a ball at their feet. A smart team varies its targets and works together: one player creates the opening, and the other is ready to use it.
Start by taking away their easy volley
Against two net players, a high, comfortable ball is an invitation to attack. Aim instead for a low ball that lands near their feet or makes them volley upward. A controlled shot is usually more useful than a full-power drive: pace gives opponents less time, but a ball they can block down the middle may hand them an easy put-away.
Try driving firmly through the center seam—the space between the opponents—or dipping the ball crosscourt toward the nearer player’s feet. The center shot can cause hesitation over who should take it, while a low crosscourt ball forces a volley from below net height. Both options can produce a weak reply that your team can attack.
Watch the result, not just the shot. If the volley comes back high, move forward and look to finish. If it stays low, keep the rally patient and make them volley again. Trying to hit a winner from every defensive position often turns a good tactical pattern into an unforced error.
Use the lob to make them turn
The lob is one of the clearest ways to punish a team that stays close to the net. It changes the direction of the rally, makes both opponents turn and retreat, and can give your team time to move forward. You do not need to hit a perfect winner. A deep lob that lands near the baseline can disrupt their formation and set up the next shot.
Choose the lob when an opponent is leaning forward, standing close to the net, or covering the middle aggressively. A lob over the player who has just poached can be especially effective because they may be moving toward the ball and away from the space behind them. Use enough height to clear the reach of their racket, but keep the ball deep; a short lob is easy to smash.
After lobbing, do not stand and admire it. Your partner should call “yours” or “mine” if the ball is heading toward a player, and both of you should adjust to the reply. If the opponents retreat, move up together to take away their passing angles. If they smash, turn and defend with space between you rather than bunching at the net.
Pass with placement, not just power
A passing shot is most effective when it forces the net player to reach away from the middle. A sharply angled shot may be tempting, but it can also give the opponent an easy volley if you leave it too high. Look for a low trajectory past the player’s outside hip or down the line when the middle is covered.
Before choosing a side, read the net player’s position. If they are shading toward the alley, the middle may be open. If they are guarding the center, a controlled shot down the line can make them stretch. Do not decide your target too early: a slight change in direction late in the swing is harder for a volleyer to read.
For many teams, the highest-percentage “pass” is not a clean winner but a ball that gets beyond the first player and forces the second to hit from a difficult position. A deep, low shot through the middle can do that. It also reduces the risk of missing wide, particularly when the court is quick.
Make the first shot of the point count
On the return
Against two players at net, the return is your first chance to disrupt their formation. Prioritize a deep, low return rather than trying for a sideline winner. A return at the server’s feet can prevent them from volleying forward, while a firm return through the middle can create uncertainty about who takes the ball.
If the net player is poaching early, notice their movement and occasionally return behind them. This works best when you keep the swing compact and wait long enough to see the poach. Guessing too soon can leave you late to the actual return.
On the serve
When your opponents both rush forward, place the serve to make the returner stretch or hit up. A well-placed body serve can jam them, while a serve wide can pull them off balance and limit their options. The server’s partner should be alert to the return, but avoid drifting so far toward the middle that a return down the line becomes an easy winner.
If your team serves and both opponents still take the net, expect the return to come back quickly. The server should recover toward a useful defensive position rather than charge forward blindly. A strong first volley can reset the point; if the return is low, block it safely and look for the next opportunity.
Move as a pair
Two net players want to stretch your team apart and create a gap. Counter that by coordinating your coverage. When one partner is pulled wide, the other should shade toward the middle without abandoning the opposite alley completely. When you move forward after a good lob or short reply, move together so you do not leave a large space between you.
Use short, clear calls: “mine,” “yours,” “switch,” or “stay.” Agree before the point who takes a ball down the middle, especially if your forehands meet in the center. A confident call prevents both players from hesitating—the exact pause that an aggressive net team hopes to create.
Also talk about the opponents’ habits. Does one player poach whenever the return goes crosscourt? Does the other struggle with a high backhand volley? A small adjustment—such as lobbing the poacher or repeatedly testing the weaker volley—can matter more than changing your whole game plan.
Choose the right response to the situation
| What you see | Useful response | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Both players close to the net | Mix a deep lob with low shots at their feet | Driving every ball at their rackets |
| One player poaches toward the middle | Play behind them or use a lob if space is open | Changing direction too early and telegraphing it |
| Your team is stretched wide | Play a safer, deeper ball and recover together | Going for a low-percentage sideline winner |
| The opponents retreat to handle a lob | Move forward together and prepare for the next shot | Staying back and giving them time to reset |
Keep the rules—and the risk—straight
A lob, a passing shot, or a shot aimed through the middle is legal as long as the ball lands in the opponents’ court. You can aim at an opponent’s body in doubles, but doing so is not always the best choice: a volleyer may redirect a fast ball, and reckless targeting can create unnecessary tension. When you are under pressure, prioritize a safe, low ball over a risky shot that might miss.
Use the doubles sidelines when choosing a target: the alley is part of the court in doubles, but aiming close to the line leaves little margin. If opponents call a ball out, follow the normal scoring and line-call procedures for your match. Tactics should exploit open space, not rely on disputing close calls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best shot against two players at the net?
There is no single best shot. A low ball at the feet is a reliable way to make them volley upward, while a deep lob makes them retreat. Vary the two so they cannot settle into one pattern.
Should I always lob when both opponents come forward?
No. A short or poorly placed lob can become an easy smash. Use it when the net players are close in, leaning forward, or leaving space behind them; otherwise, a low drive may be safer.
Where should I aim when the middle is crowded?
Look for the space behind a poaching player or a low shot toward the outside foot of the nearer opponent. If both players are shifting toward the alley, the center seam may be open instead.
How can beginners handle two strong volleyers?
Keep the ball low, aim for larger targets, and communicate on shots through the middle. Beginners often improve simply by avoiding high, easy volleys and moving together after a lob or a weak reply.
Final Thoughts
Against two net players, the goal is to make them volley from uncomfortable positions and keep changing what they have to cover. Use low shots to challenge their feet, lobs to push them back, and well-placed passes when the court opens. Pair those choices with clear calls and coordinated movement, and their apparent advantage at the net becomes a position you can work to break down.
