Use Doubles to Improve Singles

As a high school coach, you probably do not have enough courts for everyone to practice two to a court, or even to allow your singles players to practice on their own courts while your doubles teams practice on their own courts.

Adding to this problem is that quite often, singles players never practice playing doubles because they believe it doesn't help them improve their singles skills.

Actually, a number of the dominant singles player of the modern game were also the top doubles players of their era, most notably John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova, who simultaneously claimed the titles of top singles and doubles player during their heyday.

What are the benefits for your players, however, if they practice and play doubles more often?

#1 Doubles Play Improves Singles Skills

#2 Improved Competition for Your Doubles Teams

#3 Increased Opportunity to Play Collegiate Tennis

If your singles players are reticent about playing doubles during practice, show them how playing doubles improves their skills in the following ways.

The Serve

The Return

The Volley

The Overhead

The Lob