This is for my kid, who has been having formal training for the last 7+ years, and with regular private lessons. However, the focus has been on Singles. Now, my question is whether there's something worthwhile in Doubles private lessons that she could learn, without turning it into another Singles lesson. I've my own reality and understanding. Have a discussion with my wife, and need reality check and perspective from those who of you who have done it, or those who coach students (in Doubles) this way.
It's better to have a third person to get the full module dimension of double. If it's just two, you can train specific shots... flat game and theory concerning doubles. But I think it's almost necessary to be at least 3 in order to make it matchlike and to not just understand doubles, but to know it.
Some double technics are different from single. Some professional double players look awkward playing single. Most good single players just easily defeated by double specialists (playing double at advance level). These should speak volume.
I'm sure there are differences between Singles and Doubles. That's not my question. She'll have group lessons, hopefully with more focus in Doubles than Singles. In the past, I found private lessons had helped her Singles. I'm now wondering if private lessons (with her only, and her coach) would produce similar effective learning environment (more tailor to her need than group lessons). I hope this clarifies my initial question.
Raymond, private lessons will speed up her development regardless single or double. You will need to tell her coach that she wants to focus on double. 7+ years? She can beat most club players (men included).
Different style. Training with a partner is necessary. Training and learning counter defense mixed doubles is especially useful. Such players have more options in their gameplay.
We're talking about ladies doubles, right? No difference in training doubles or singles, as good (cross) clear and a decent drop is all you need...;-) On a serious note: It's pretty simple as you already know: Some things/shozs can be trained alone with the coach, others not. Smple as that. I think it is useful to do some double-specific drills on your own. A lot of other stuff (rotation) you will only learn by training with a partner and playing doubles (e.g. tactical placement of shots)