The basic law of doubles is that doubles is won at the net. The majority of the game of doubles is about intimidating your opponents and closing out the net. The first pair to reach the net, has the greatest chance of winning the point. This is why every server, should be following their serve into the net. Very rarely does the server stay back on the baseline. The net player should also be following the serve in.

When your partner is serving, move towards the net as the serve goes past you. One or two steps is enough. Your partner will be following his serve in, and therefore you both moving toward the net together will create a feeling of strong intimidation.

In addition moving forward is already preparing you for a volley. You already have forward momentum, and therefore a more likely to execute your volley well. Some net players a standing flat-footed. They have very little time to react to the return, and therefore are hitting a defensive volley.

An active net player also gets many free points for the team. Why?,You create uncertainty in the returners is mind. The returner will feel more pressure on their shot, knowing they must to hit a great return to keep the ball out of the net players reach.

It is ok to get passed down the sideline once in a while. The return on investment is worth it.

You are forcing the returner to play the 2 hardest shots. Down the line over the highest part of the net only about 1 meter away from you OR heavy crosscourt to the shorter part of the court to keep it away from the net player moving across.

In summary, the benefits of following your partner’s serve in are
•    Intimidation
•    Better Prepared for a volley
•    Uncertainty in the returners mind
•    Free points over the entire match

Try this simple tip. After a few points or a few games you will find that your opponent’s will feel the pressure on their returns. They will start to go for bigger returns and take more risks to keep you out of the point.

Enjoy, Michael