The tempting shot in doubles is often the one that loses the point: a full-blooded drive straight at a net player who is already waiting for it. A better passing shot starts before the racket moves. Read the net player’s position, notice what space is open, and choose a target you can reach with control.
In doubles, a passing shot is a groundstroke or lob aimed beyond a player at the net. The alleys are in play during rallies, so the court is wider than in singles. That gives you extra space to attack, but it also gives the net player room to cover. Good passing strategy is less about hitting harder and more about making the pair defend two different areas.
Read the Net Player Before You Choose a Shot
Look at the net player as your opponent prepares to hit, not only once the ball is coming toward you. Their starting position and first movement can reveal the opening. If they shade toward the middle to intercept a crosscourt ball, the sideline may be available. If they hug the line, the center gap may open. A player who is leaning or moving early is harder to beat with a sudden change of direction.
Also check the partner behind them. If that player is close to the service line, a lob may be difficult to defend. If they are deep near the baseline, a controlled shot past the net player may be the better choice. The best target is usually the space the pair cannot cover together, not simply the spot farthest from the person at the net.
Choose the Right Passing Shot
Crosscourt: More room, but a net player in the way
A crosscourt passing shot travels over the lowest part of the net and has a longer diagonal path, giving you more court to work with. But it often goes toward the middle, where a well-positioned net player can intercept it. Use the crosscourt angle when the net player has left that lane open, or aim lower and wider to make them stretch rather than trying to thread a tiny gap.
For example, if a right-handed net player has moved toward the center to cover their partner’s forehand, a shot toward the outside of their backhand side can force them to reach. Even if they touch the ball, a stretched volley may sit up for your partner.
Down the line: A useful change of direction
The down-the-line pass can catch a net player who is leaning toward the middle. It is a shorter target with less margin over the net, so avoid treating it as a winner-or-nothing shot. Aim inside the sideline and give yourself enough net clearance to handle pressure. A firm, controlled shot at the open lane is often more effective than a flat attempt at the paint.
Changing direction is especially useful after a few crosscourt exchanges. If the net player begins anticipating that pattern, a timely line shot can punish the movement. But changing direction from a stretched or off-balance position is risky; when your feet are compromised, use height or depth instead.
At the net player’s feet: Make them volley up
You do not have to hit around the net player to pass them. A low shot at their feet can force a difficult half-volley or a defensive volley that rises. This is a smart choice when the opening is small, your balance is poor, or the opponent is charging forward. Once the volley sits up, your team can attack the next ball or find the open court.
Keep the target low, not necessarily fast. A heavy drive that lands at the opponent’s shoes can be more uncomfortable than a harder ball at waist height.
Lob: Use height when the net player crowds in
A lob is often the best answer when the net player moves close to the net or reaches forward to cut off the passing lane. Aim over the player and toward the space behind them, but account for the baseline partner. A deep, high lob can push that player back and give your pair time to recover; a shorter lob may invite an overhead.
Use the lob selectively. If the opponent is already retreating or has a strong overhead, a lower pass may be safer. Varying the height is useful because a net player who expects another drive may be slow to turn and chase.
Use Placement and Timing to Create the Opening
Often, the first ball is not the passing shot. A deep crosscourt groundstroke can push the baseline opponent wide and make the net player shift to cover the middle. That movement may open the line for your next shot. Think of the point as a sequence: move one opponent, draw the other across, then attack the space that appears.
Timing matters, too. If you hit as soon as the ball arrives, the net player has less time to react, but you may have less control. If you wait for the ball to drop, you gain time to set your feet but give the opponent longer to close in. When possible, take the ball early from a balanced position. If you are late, choose a safer target rather than forcing a precise pass.
Mix pace and shape. A sudden change from a heavy, high ball to a lower, faster drive can disrupt the net player’s timing. So can a slower angled ball that pulls them away from the center. The goal is to make the volleyer move or adjust their contact point, not to produce a highlight shot on every attempt.
Coordinate With Your Partner
A passing attempt changes the shape of the point for both players. Before the rally, agree on simple calls such as “lob,” “switch,” or “yours.” If you send a lob over the net player, your partner should be ready to cover the reply rather than watching the shot. If you attack down the line, your partner may need to protect the middle, where the opponents can redirect the ball.
After your shot, recover toward a position that helps your pair cover the likely reply. Do not automatically run to the center of the court: your best recovery spot depends on where you hit and where your partner is. If your partner is already moving across, avoid both chasing the same ball. Clear communication can turn a merely defensive pass into a chance to take control.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Trying to hit a winner from a poor position. When stretched, aim safely through the court or use a lob.
- Targeting the net player’s racket. A body shot can jam an opponent, but a predictable ball at comfortable volley height often helps them.
- Overusing the sideline. A pass that misses by inches still loses the point. Leave yourself a realistic margin.
- Ignoring the partner behind the net player. A shot that clears the volleyer may still land in easy reach of the baseline player.
- Admiring the shot instead of recovering. Expect a touch, a deflection, or a defensive volley and be ready for the next ball.
Practice the Decisions, Not Just the Strokes
In a useful doubles drill, one player starts at the baseline against a net player and a partner behind them. The baseline player’s goal is to choose among a crosscourt pass, a line pass, a shot at the feet, or a lob based on the net player’s position. The opponents play the point out. Rotate roles and notice which choices create weak replies, not just which ones win outright.
You can also rehearse a simple pattern: hit deep crosscourt to move the baseline player, then look for the line if the net player shifts toward the middle. Start at moderate pace, focusing on balance and margin. Add speed only when the decision and contact are reliable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a passing shot always intended to be a winner?
No. A passing shot can force a stretch, produce a weak volley, or make the opponents change formation. If your shot creates an easy next ball for your partner, it has done its job even if it does not win the point immediately.
Should I pass down the line or crosscourt?
Choose based on the net player’s position and your balance. Crosscourt gives you more court and net clearance, but may run toward the volleyer. Down the line can exploit a player leaning inward, though it offers less margin. When unsure, favor a controlled shot with room rather than a risky attempt at the sideline.
When is a lob the best option in doubles?
Use a lob when the net player is crowding the net, closing aggressively, or leaving space behind them. Check the baseline opponent’s position and overhead ability first. A high, deep lob can buy time; a short lob against a ready overhead is dangerous.
Can the doubles alleys be used for a passing shot?
Yes. The alleys are part of the court during rallies, so a ball landing in an alley is good. The service court is different: on a serve, the ball must land in the correct service box, not the alley.
Final Thoughts
Strong doubles passing is built on observation, patience, and teamwork. Read the net player, account for their partner, and pick a shot that makes the pair move or hit up. A well-placed ball at the feet, a timely change down the line, or a smart lob can be more valuable than a risky full-power drive. Make the opponents solve a difficult next ball, then be ready to solve theirs.
