Clearly the Bryan Brothers have made history with respect to doubles. I have had the good fortune to meet their father, Wayne, at some of the tournaments that I photograph. One thing that is clear about these two brothers is that they communicate well with each other. Indeed, it would be surprising if they did not. Still, I would argue that they have done the remarkable things in doubles that they have because they excel with respect to team communications. Good doubles requires good teamwork. Good teamwork results from good communication.
 
Now, I know that I am by no means the first person to suggest that good doubles depends upon effective communication.. So, this month, I want to share with you the "how and why" of doubles communication.
 
Communicating When Your Team is Serving
 
To me, doubles is similar to American football. There are different formations, players in motion and various plays. The player serving is like the quarterback... starting the play in motion. The net player is like a running back or wide receiver... frequently, finishing off the play. Doubles, when played well, is much more a game of strategy, timing and finesse than it is a game of power.
 
Thus, good doubles depends upon each member of a team being in sync with the other. This is particularly important when serving. Why?
 
First, if a team never loses its serve, it cannot lose the match. So, a team that is serving cannot afford to be out of sync... which might result in a lost point or game.
 
Second, doubles is definitely a game of control. When a team is serving, they set the tone for the entire point. This is truer in doubles than in singles because, in doubles, most of the court is well covered. Thus, the serving team by its formations, serve placements, net poaching and court movement must force an opposing team into an error or ineffective positioning. As in all forms of tennis, most teams win by making fewer errors... not by making more winners. The receiving team must react to what the serving team does. In singles, return winners are much more likely than in doubles... even when the return is placed at the feet of the net-rushing, doubles' server.
 
If you watch effective teams, they always "huddle" before each point... especially, when they are serving. When serving, a team must have made several decisions before the ball is served.
 
These are:

• What formation will we be using... and why? If an "I" or Australian formation is being used, in which direction will the net player move... and why?
• Where will the server serve the ball (to the receiver's forehand... backhand... at the receiver's body) ... and why?
• What kind of serve will it be... flat, slice, kick... and why?
• Will the net person poach?... on any return or only on the high return?
• Will the serving team try to hit more balls to one of the two opponents... and why?

• Where should the server put the serve? (forehand, backhand, at the receiver)
• What kind of serve? (flat, slice, kick)
• Will the net person poach?

• a thumb sticking out from a closed fist means: serve to the forehand (right-handed player)
• a little finger sticking out from a closed fist means: serve to the backhand (right handed player)
• a completely closed fist means: serve at the opponents body

• 1 finger sticking out from a closed fist means: hit a flat serve.
• 2 fingers mean: hit a slice serve
• 3 fingers mean: hit a kick serve

• a closed fist means: the net person will not poach
• an open hand means that the net person will poach

• What kind of return will the receiver make?... at the server's feet, at the net person, down the line, or lobbed over the net person's head.
• Where will the net person attempt to put her/his volleys?... at the server, at the net person or in between the two opponents.