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Covering the Backhand (Doubles)
January 14, 2015
4:23 pm
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Marcus symons
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I’m been pulled up a couple of times at a decent level for this positional ‘mistake’.

When playing MD, Once out of the service situation and in full rally mode, I will sometimes play a defensive block to the net on the opponents forehand (imagining all 4 players are right handed) Move in to cut out the mid court push or return net shot and the opposition will lift straight into our backhand corner.

My natural instinct here is to track back and protect my partners backhand and play an aggressive shot myself, hoping that my partner will step into the forecourt position to pick up loose returns.

I think this a natural tendancy from years of playing with weaker partners that won’t run around the backhand and the point is generally lost. However I still now so the same thing with stronger partners and I’m never 100% wether I’m out of line or not?

January 14, 2015
4:59 pm
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Matthew Seeley
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You are indeed in the wrong. I will try to explain why.

Imagine I was your partner: here is what I see – my partner plays a lovely block and moves forwards aggressively to attack the net. As my partner moves, I move as well, covering the empty space at the rear of the court, trusting my partner to cover the midcourt and front court (but maybe not a fast straight drive – tough to cover the whole midcourt by yourself!).

Then, my opponent does exactly what we wanted, he lifts it over my partner… who apparently doesn’t trust me and so is coming to barge me out of the way. We are both now at the back of the court, and my partner has left a glaring great gap at the front of the court. Cheers partner. Good game.

As your partner, the question I ask is… if you wanted to cover the back, why did you move forwards? If you were wanted to attack the net, why aren’t you letting me do something? You are not really working with me, you are not setting me up, you are playing singles.

I suggest that you need to shift your thinking into one that is more aggressive – working with your partner. I can tell you now – you do not need to defend my backhand – I can hit a backhand clear, and my round the head smash is more powerful than my regular smash. Instead, why not just be really aggressive at the net – then you turn from an annoying partner into an awesome one!

But thats just my view :)

January 14, 2015
5:26 pm
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Marcus symons
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Well said, that does make sense but never explained in that way. More trust in my partner and a conscious attempt to rid myself of this instinct coming up. Thanks very much.

January 14, 2015
5:37 pm
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Matthew Seeley
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No worries. I play with a guy who does exactly as you described – he goes to the front to play net, and then comes to the back and smashes. Its “annoying” when you first play with him, but then you realise he is an exceptionally fast singles player with a smash like a thunderstrike – it actually works quite well and we win a lot of points (he will come forwards after the smash to attack the net). However, it is NOT good doubles, and will confuse many players and worst of all, against an opponent who has excellent defence, we will not win points because we are not working together. So, it can “work”, but its not doubles!

January 27, 2015
7:23 am
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Paul Stewart
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I can only agree with Matthew’s response here.

The question raised is more based on trust rather than capability. Inevitably, when you know the weaknesses in your partners game, this can impact your thinking. This in turn can lead to indecision and performing in a half-hearted, non committal way. You need to stay positive and play the shots, follow up as you would if playing with the best. This in turn allows your partner the freedom to play their game. If their return is lacking, let’s hope this doesn’t mean the end of the point and merely a change in situation. Rather than continuing the attack and putting more pressure on your opponents, you may find the opposite happening and you are suddenly defending.

Thanks Matt for your answer and thank you Marcus for posting such a great question.

Paul

January 28, 2015
10:44 am
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Marcus symons
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Cheers Paul, this was indeed a question of trust and having changed my positional game recently in light of this conversation, it’s defiantly made a difference to my own game and no doubt to the game of my partner (who can now play the backhand without the worry of me interfering!). It felt a little unnatural and defensive to start with but it’s was just a case of regrouping and trying to counter attack but the whole thing flowed a lot better and felt like we were playing as a pair rather then me covering weaknesses.

January 29, 2015
10:03 am
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Matthew Seeley
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Well done for changing your game. Its not easy!

January 29, 2015
6:55 pm
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AlexLaw
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I used to do that, presumably because when I have a weak partner. Now, I just move to the midcourt and stand there. Better to look like you didn’t mess up and your partner will eventually realize lol.

Defs play something that is right, rather than what wins.

February 9, 2015
10:34 pm
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Paul Stewart
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Congratulations on having a little faith and getting a result from it. By doing too much it’s very easy to intimidate your partner. Give them time to shine, and hopefully a little guidance too.

Paul

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