Doubles hand signals help partners agree on who will cover the middle, when to poach, and where to aim the next shot. They are not part of a fixed tennis rulebook: each pair can choose its own signs, as long as both players understand them.
The most familiar signals are used by the serving team before a point. The returning team can also use simple gestures to plan a return, but those signs tend to be more flexible. Here’s how both systems work—and how to avoid crossed wires when the serve comes quickly.
What Do Doubles Return Signals Mean?
“Return signals” can mean signals used by the receiving team to coordinate its return plan. For example, the returner’s partner might indicate whether to aim crosscourt or down the line, or whether they will cover the middle after the return.
The term is also sometimes used for the hand signals seen before a doubles serve. Those are usually sent by the server’s net partner to the server. They are meant to coordinate the serving team’s next move, such as a poach—not to tell the returning team what to do.
There is no universal code. A finger, fist, or other gesture can mean different things to different pairs, so agree on the meaning before the match.
Common Signals Used by the Serving Team
The net player often holds a hand behind their back, where the receivers cannot easily read it. The signal is sent before the serve, and the server can accept the plan or ask for a different one. A common system looks like this:
| Example signal | Possible meaning |
|---|---|
| Closed fist | Stay in position; do not poach |
| One finger | Poach across after the serve |
| Two fingers | Fake a poach, then recover |
| Three fingers | Use a team-specific option, such as a planned poach on a particular serve |
These are examples, not official meanings. Some teams use one finger for a fake and two for a poach. Agree on the code and keep it simple enough to remember under pressure.
How the Receiving Team Can Signal
The returner and their partner can use a brief, agreed signal before the server begins. The goal is not to script every shot. It is to make sure both players know the basic plan and who is responsible for the open space.
- Choose a return direction: A small gesture can mean crosscourt, down the line, or through the middle.
- Agree on middle coverage: The partner can indicate whether they will close toward the center or stay wider after the return.
- Call a variation: Partners can agree to try a lob, chip, or low return if the opposing net player is crowding the net.
- Change the plan: If a returner is struggling with a particular serve, use a quick signal to switch targets or positioning on the next point.
Keep these signs discreet and brief. A partner can also communicate with a quiet word before the point, as long as it does not delay play. If the returner is focused on the server, the partner should avoid giving a complicated instruction at the last second.
Using Signals to Read the Point
A signal is a plan, not a command to hit a shot regardless of what happens. The returner still has to react to the serve. If the serve is wide and pulls them off balance, a planned down-the-line return may no longer be sensible. A deep, safe crosscourt return may be the better choice.
Signals are especially helpful when the opposing net player likes to poach. For example, the returner’s partner might point out before the serve that the opponent is leaning toward the middle. The returner can then aim behind that player or use a low return at their feet. If the net player stays back, a firm return through the middle may be safer because it reduces the angle available to the serving team.
Good partners also watch for patterns. If an opponent poaches only after a serve down the middle, the receiving pair can target that lane or change the return position. A quick signal can remind both players of the adjustment, but noticing the opponent’s habits matters more than using an elaborate code.
How to Make a Signal System Work
- Pick only a few signals. Start with stay, poach, and fake. Add other options only when both players can recall them easily.
- Say exactly what happens next. “Poach” should include who moves and who covers the space they leave.
- Use the same meanings throughout the match. Changing a code without checking can leave one partner moving the wrong way.
- Confirm the plan. The receiver or server can nod, adjust their position, or quietly ask to change it.
- Review what worked. Between games, discuss whether the plan helped, rather than blaming a partner for a missed shot.
For example, if the receiving partner signals “middle,” the pair should clarify who takes a ball hit between them. Often, the player with the forehand takes it, but that depends on their positions and the agreed plan. A signal is useful only when it prevents hesitation.
Rules and Etiquette
Tennis rules do not prescribe a standard hand-signal code for doubles. Partners can use their own gestures and communication, provided they do not deliberately distract or hinder an opponent. Avoid exaggerated movements, shouting during the opponent’s service motion, or anything intended to disrupt the server or receiver.
Signals also do not replace the normal rules for serving and receiving. The receiver must be ready, and the server should not use a signal as a reason to hold up play. If a signal is misunderstood, play the point rather than stopping to debate the code; discuss it at the next suitable break.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are doubles hand signals official tennis rules?
No. Tennis rules do not assign fixed meanings to signals such as a fist or raised fingers. Each team chooses its own code.
Does one finger always mean poach?
No. One finger commonly means poach in some teams, but another pair may use it for a different play. Confirm the meaning with your partner before the match.
Can the receiving team signal where to return?
Yes. Partners can agree on a target, a coverage plan, or a variation before the serve. The returner should still respond to the actual serve rather than forcing a planned shot.
Can signals distract the other team?
Normal, discreet communication between partners is different from deliberately trying to disrupt an opponent. Keep gestures calm and avoid distracting behavior during the serve.
Final Thoughts
Doubles signals work best when they are simple, agreed in advance, and tied to a clear plan. The serving team may use them to coordinate a poach or stay in position, while the receiving team can use quick cues to choose a target and cover the middle. A small amount of clear communication can prevent hesitation—but good positioning and smart decisions still win the point.
