Mixed Doubles tactics

**josephdk** · 02-06-2013, 12:31 PM

I was playing mixed doubles the other day but I lost really badly. It was the first time I felt that frustrated. Im going to play another one coming up so what should I do. She stands at the net rarely moving back but goes for the drop shots and kills. Should I smash a lot, play drops from the back, crosscourt a lot?

**visor** · 02-06-2013, 01:05 PM

Her job is to guard the net and play drops so that the opponents have to lift. Your job is to cover mid to back court. If your opponent female is also playing front, then your shots should be to the mid court sides. Should have some pace on your shots so that they can pass her. Also aim to push her to the back and wait for a weak shot to attack.

**josephdk** · 02-06-2013, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by visor

Her job is to guard the net and play drops so that the opponents have to lift. Your job is to cover mid to back court. If your opponent female is also playing front, then your shots should be to the mid court sides. Should have some pace on your shots so that they can pass her. Also aim to push her to the back and wait for a weak shot to attack.

Ok, thanks for the advice and the fast reply.

**lordrogue** · 02-06-2013, 02:57 PM

Push everything to mid-court. (especially) serve return is important to be aggressive on and concentrate on the right placement, I'd say it's probably the most important shot in mixed. If you have pace, like visor says, she'll have to be very good to kill a flac push. You can also try to concentrate to get the female to back court, that's usually a very effective strategy. Try to serve long to the female most of the time and lift/lob/clear at her until she misses...

**josephdk** · 02-06-2013, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by lordrogue

Push everything to mid-court. (especially) serve return is important to be aggressive on and concentrate on the right placement, I'd say it's probably the most important shot in mixed. If you have pace, like visor says, she'll have to be very good to kill a flac push. You can also try to concentrate to get the female to back court, that's usually a very effective strategy. Try to serve long to the female most of the time and lift/lob/clear at her until she misses...

How would I push her to the back if she refuses to budge from her net position?

**lordrogue** · 02-06-2013, 03:22 PM

Serving long is the main example... I already explained that. Of course there are other ways, but it's probably the most simple way to make her stay in the back.

**visor** · 02-06-2013, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by josephdk

How would I push her to the back if she refuses to budge from her net position?

Look for an opportunity when they're slightly out of optimal formation, then she's the one that gets the clear to the back. Of course, the main tactic of xd is to play tactical shots that'll mess up their formation. This'll come from experience and choosing the right placement of shots.

**phili** · 02-06-2013, 03:48 PM

In level double you tend to play many shots through the middle. In mixed doubles this is deadly because the lady ist waiting there most of the time.

**amleto** · 02-06-2013, 04:30 PM

if she's always at the net then she is making it easy for you to attack the spaces down the sides!

**Line & Length** · 02-07-2013, 06:37 AM

With respect to the previous posters, I must disagree with some of the advice given.

When a doubles pair (regardless of ladies, mens or mixed) is attacking, the primary responsibility of the non-hitting partner is to intercept loose drives and lifts. Unless you are an elite level player, you cannot do this on or ahead of the service line. If your lady refuses to 'leave the T', then the only viable option left to you is the straight drop. If you straight-smash, decent opposition will x-court drive through her and into the space in the opposite rear corner. As amleto has already stated, clearing with your partner on the T allows decent opposition to exploit either sideline. X-court leaves you vulnerable to straight pushes/drives/drops or smashes.

When a doubles pair (regardless of ladies, mens or mixed) is defending, the pair shall adopt a defensive formation. This has one player covering "down-the-line" and the other covering the x-court. This isn't "sides" as the x-court defender is more central. If 1 partner is significantly weaker than the other (which is the presumption in mixed), then the weaker player should be defending the x-court.

Even if your lady is very weak, she should still defend the x-court. If the opposition clear to her back corner, consider getting it yourself. Yes, this means that you're covering 3 corners. However, if you can get there, you'll be in formation & your opposition may be out of formation.

Similarly, if the opposing lady is rooted to their T, then you can exploit this by the means described above.

Hope that helps.

**josephdk** · 02-07-2013, 10:32 AM

Thanks everybody for the advice, sounds tough but I'll try!

**josephdk** · 02-07-2013, 11:38 AM

what should i do when receiving serve?

**amleto** · 02-07-2013, 02:01 PM

This is all assuming a good serve...

don't lift. don't drive to deep corners. don't play tight net shot unless you and your partner know exactly who and how to deal with the third shot.

do push to sides, but make sure it gets past the front person. do drive/hard push down the middle.

If you really must lift, make sure you lift to your side so that you're covering straight smash.

**kvyra** · 02-07-2013, 08:18 PM

If opponent female hogs the net when you are attacking, the side lanes are especially open = WINNER!

**kvyra** · 02-07-2013, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by amleto

This is all assuming a good serve...

don't lift. don't drive to deep corners. don't play tight net shot unless you and your partner know exactly who and how to deal with the third shot.

do push to sides, but make sure it gets past the front person. do drive/hard push down the middle.

If you really must lift, make sure you lift to your side so that you're covering straight smash.

In XD especially, very very important to lift to your side so you are covering the straight smash.

**josephdk** · 02-08-2013, 03:47 AM

Thanks for everybody's help! I actually had fun playing xd this time instead of getting frustrated. Still need to work on it but it was much much better this time. Thanks!

**Rob3rt** · 02-09-2013, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by kvyra

If opponent female hogs the net when you are attacking, the side lanes are especially open = WINNER!

Thanks for the tipp, I will try to do this. Mostly at a low level of play I noticed the female stays at the net even after lifting the shuttle, instead of a defensive position. You think a fast drop to the side lanes would also work?