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When serving from the ad side in doubles, I doubt my serve

by Holly Johnson
(Boise, ID USA)

I serve fine from the deuce side and often win the point. But when I get to the ad side, my motion becomes stiff, my toss is wayward (at best) and I often end up double-faulting or having a very soft serve.

I believe this comes from having hit my doubles partner with the serve -- because when we move to an Australian formation, I serve very well.

Any tips on mental exercises to overcome that?

Comments for
When serving from the ad side in doubles, I doubt my serve

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Remind yourself of percentages
by: Tomaz

Hi Holly,

In cases like yours, I usually revert to statistics and percentages.

Think about this; how many times have you hit your partner and how many times you HAVEN'T hit your partner?

What's the ratio?

Give it some thought and let me know!
Percentages
by: Holly

I agree that I haven't hit my partner in a long time, but just having them in my line of sight is what makes me tighten up, which -- I assume -- affects my toss and my swing.

When I pull her off the net to the baseline, I serve very well. I've even tried visualizing serving with my partner there and relaxing, which works for the first couple of serves, but then I miss a serve and I immediately tense up. Any thoughts?
Move your partner
by: Tomaz

Holly,

I would still like you to give me number - how many times have your served and NOT hit your partner.

And secondly, ask your partner to move to the side near the sideline when you serve and then move back to the correct position once the ball passes her.

You probably don't serve 200 km/h so she'll have enough time to move. ;)
Number
by: Holly

Hi Tomaz -- you're right -- I've only hit my partner twice out of the thousands of times I've played with her and I certainly don't serve over 200 km per hour, although I do have one of the hardest serves in my 4.0 women's league (when I get it in!)

Your idea of moving her to the side is certainly worth a try. Like I said, when we play Australian and she's out of my line of sight, it's just fine. I'll give that a try!

Thanks -- love the site.

Holly
Experience the fear
by: Tomaz

One more question, Holly: what would happen if you really hit your partner?

Imagine vividly as possibly and also realistically as possible and play the whole thing in your mind; you serve and you hit her.

Let's say that you hit her in the back. Then what?

Then let's say you hit her in the back of her head. Then what? What would really happen?
Hadn't thought of that...
by: Holly

To be honest, I hadn't thought of visualizing hitting her and putting it into a "worst case scenario"

I did hit one partner in the back of the head and they actually fell to the ground for about five minutes. But they eventually got up and we finished the match -- we lost.

I played doubles this weekend and tried to relax and serve "normal" rather than Australian formation from the ad side, but my serve was pretty weak compared to my deuce serve. But -- I did hold serve most of the time -- only lost my serve once.

I know you're right -- I need to "just do it" and serve from the regular position without being concerned about either hitting my partner or holding serve. Thanks for the suggestions!

Holly

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