Doubles rewards teams that move and communicate as one. A strong serve helps, but so do clear calls, smart court positions, and knowing who should take the next ball. These doubles tennis drills build those habits while giving you a chance to practise the rules that shape real points.
You can run most of them with four players, a basket of balls, and half an hour. Start slowly enough to get the positions right, then add pace or scoring pressure. The goal isn’t to hit every ball hard; it’s to make the right decision together.
Before You Start: Set Up for Doubles
Use the full doubles court for rallies, including the alleys. On a serve, though, the ball must land in the correct diagonal service box. Agree on the serving and receiving order before you play, and call the score clearly before each point. These small habits prevent confusion when a drill gets competitive.
For most drills below, rotate partners or roles every few minutes. Give each player a chance at the baseline, the net, and the serve. If you’re working on a specific weakness, spend extra time on that role without letting the other three players stand idle.
1. Serve, Return, and Move In
Practises: serving order, return depth, and moving forward as a team.
- One player serves from the deuce court while the diagonally opposite player returns.
- The server’s partner starts near the service line, and the returner’s partner starts at the net.
- After the return, play the point out. The serving team should look for a chance to move forward together; the returning team should try to keep the ball low or deep.
- After five serves, switch to the ad court. Then rotate serving and receiving roles.
Give the returner a simple target: hit crosscourt through the middle third of the court, rather than aiming close to the alley. A deep return can make the serving team hit up, giving the returner’s partner a chance to intercept. The server should avoid rushing in behind a weak, short serve; move forward when the serve and next shot make it safe.
Keep track of the serving order as you rotate. In a match, the team’s players serve in their agreed sequence, and the receiving team also keeps its chosen order for the set. This drill is a good time to make sure everyone knows the rotation.
2. Crosscourt Rally with a Middle Call
Practises: communication, control, and choosing who takes a ball between partners.
Put one team at the baseline and one team at the net. The baseline team rallies crosscourt, while the net team tries to intercept only balls it can reach comfortably. Before each shot down the middle, the two players who could take it must call “mine” or “yours.” Play to 10 points, then swap ends and roles.
Don’t reward a net player for lunging at every ball. A good volley should pressure the opponents, not leave a hole for the next shot. If both partners hesitate on a ball through the middle, pause and discuss who had the better forehand, position, or view of the shot. Teams often settle on a simple rule: the forehand takes the middle, unless the other player clearly calls it first.
3. Two-Up Net Pressure
Practises: coordinated net movement, volleys, and defending the doubles alleys.
Both players on one team begin at the net; the other team starts at the baseline. The baseline pair feeds a ball into play and tries to pass or lob the net team. The net players must move together: when one shifts toward the alley, the other shades toward the middle. Play each point out, then switch teams after five points.
Focus on split-stepping as the opponents strike the ball. If one net player rushes forward while the other stays back, a clean shot through the gap may end the point. The baseline team should mix firm passes with lobs rather than hitting every ball at the net player. In doubles, a lob over the net team can be especially effective if both players are crowding the service line.
4. Return-and-First-Volley Challenge
Practises: returning under pressure and handling the first volley.
One player serves, with a partner at the net. The receiving team tries to return deep and play the point out. Give the serving team a point only if the server’s partner touches the first volley and keeps it in play. Give the receiving team a point for a deep return that forces a difficult first volley or wins the rally.
Play to 7, then rotate positions. The net player should stay balanced and watch the returner’s swing, not guess early. The returner should aim away from the net player’s comfortable strike zone. A low return toward the server’s feet can be more useful than a risky attempt at a winner.
5. Doubles Poaching Practice
Practises: reading the return, crossing safely, and covering the open court.
Set up a server and net partner against a returner and their net partner. The server aims for a consistent serve, while the returner hits crosscourt. The serving team’s net player decides whether to stay or poach across the middle. The server must read that choice and cover the space behind the poach.
Begin with the net player announcing “stay” or “go” before the serve. Once the movement becomes comfortable, let them make the decision without calling it. A poach is not just a dash across the court: it works best when the server and net player move as a pair and the poacher can reach the ball in front of them.
6. Serve-Order and Score-Calling Game
Practises: match routines and keeping the score straight.
Play a short tiebreak, but pause before every point. The server must call the score, name the serving court, and confirm the correct server. The receivers should quietly confirm who is taking the first return. If anyone gets the order wrong, reset the point and explain the correct rotation before continuing.
This can feel less exciting than a fast rally drill, but it pays off during close games. Clear calls help partners prepare, and knowing the order prevents avoidable disputes. Use normal scoring rules for your format and agree beforehand whether you’re playing a standard or match tiebreak.
How to Get More from Doubles Drills
- Choose one focus: work on returns, net movement, or communication rather than trying to fix everything at once.
- Use targets: cones or court lines can help players aim without turning every shot into a winner attempt.
- Make calls early: “mine,” “yours,” “switch,” and “stay” are useful only when partners can act on them.
- Keep the score: a simple points system adds pressure and shows whether a skill holds up in play.
- Finish with real points: spend the last few minutes playing doubles normally and notice which habits carry over.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I practise doubles drills?
One or two focused sessions a week can help, especially if you play matches regularly. Even a short warm-up drill before a doubles match can sharpen communication and court positioning.
What is the best doubles drill for beginners?
Start with the crosscourt rally and middle-call drill. It builds control and teaches partners to decide who takes a ball between them without relying on power.
Can you practise doubles drills with only two players?
Yes. Rally crosscourt from opposite sides, practise serves and returns, or have one player feed balls for the other to volley. For team movement and poaching decisions, four players are more useful.
Does the doubles alley count during a point?
Yes. The alleys are in play during rallies, but a serve must land in the correct diagonal service box. That difference is worth remembering during serve-and-return drills.
Final Thoughts
Good doubles comes from more than a strong serve or a sharp volley. Teams need to know their roles, move together, and make clear calls under pressure. Use these drills to practise those choices, then carry one simple goal into your next match—such as calling every middle ball early or moving forward together after a strong serve.
