Hi guys,
Id like to ask the experienced members to discuss the 3rd shot in doubles, mens and mixed, as im now playing in a high level team on the strength of my singles and need to work on doubles alot more. Ive lotsa questions
1- when serving (md)
should i attempt to swing at replies?
i rarely see professionals do it, regardless of reply, be it jab to cut off the opponents attacking my serve with their flat pushes or to take a blind swing at any lifts, yet have seen a few attempts - wise or stupid?
2- when partner serving
i have no problem with forehand reply and have enough power to clear when late in the back corner ( which doesnt happen much- i generally cut off with a drive )
the backhand however is causing trouble
A) the flat push, drive- what are my options here?
I can drive it back straight but if my partner served from the right, its right into the receiver whos waiting for that shot.
cross court drive is tricky because the server is sometimes in the way/also not hard for the aggressive receiver to intercept and apply pressure
gentle drive to middle sometimes useful
a lift over the receiver is not always good as my distance is inconsistant and gives away too much
not enough power to cross lift
- what do pros try to do?
- What should us mortals attempt?
- how do we vary it ?
- is it my shot or shot selection thats causing problems?
B) the fast lift
Bit of a no-brainer, great attacking oppertunity, but what i want to know is,
Whats the ideal foot work? A jump out with my lleft foot behind? Full body rotation? Full step back pivot and sissors? Other?
Should i really try get behind it and put it away , thus push myself out of position for a cross court whip, or use it as a building shot?
wheres the best place to target? Middle, down line or receivers hip?
too add variety( so important
) - drop ? straight or middle ( cross a bit risky) and when dropping, should it be a backhand drop so i recover straight away or a round the head, and what footwork?
is a cross court clear a sensible mixed option to mix it up from smashing all the time( if the man had just received and played the lift )
... PHEW.... Thats alot of questions, but this third shot is so important in gaining control that id like as much input as possible, and im sure everyone could learn a few things .
Thanks in advance ladies and gents.
Id like to ask the experienced members to discuss the 3rd shot in doubles, mens and mixed, as im now playing in a high level team on the strength of my singles and need to work on doubles alot more. Ive lotsa questions

1- when serving (md)
should i attempt to swing at replies?
i rarely see professionals do it, regardless of reply, be it jab to cut off the opponents attacking my serve with their flat pushes or to take a blind swing at any lifts, yet have seen a few attempts - wise or stupid?
2- when partner serving
i have no problem with forehand reply and have enough power to clear when late in the back corner ( which doesnt happen much- i generally cut off with a drive )
the backhand however is causing trouble
A) the flat push, drive- what are my options here?
I can drive it back straight but if my partner served from the right, its right into the receiver whos waiting for that shot.
cross court drive is tricky because the server is sometimes in the way/also not hard for the aggressive receiver to intercept and apply pressure
gentle drive to middle sometimes useful
a lift over the receiver is not always good as my distance is inconsistant and gives away too much
not enough power to cross lift
- what do pros try to do?
- What should us mortals attempt?
- how do we vary it ?
- is it my shot or shot selection thats causing problems?
B) the fast lift
Bit of a no-brainer, great attacking oppertunity, but what i want to know is,
Whats the ideal foot work? A jump out with my lleft foot behind? Full body rotation? Full step back pivot and sissors? Other?
Should i really try get behind it and put it away , thus push myself out of position for a cross court whip, or use it as a building shot?
wheres the best place to target? Middle, down line or receivers hip?
too add variety( so important

is a cross court clear a sensible mixed option to mix it up from smashing all the time( if the man had just received and played the lift )
... PHEW.... Thats alot of questions, but this third shot is so important in gaining control that id like as much input as possible, and im sure everyone could learn a few things .
Thanks in advance ladies and gents.
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