WHAT IS SMART DOUBLES?
Recreational doubles tennis has the potential to enrich the lifestyle of millions of people globally. However, tennis is largely and directly delivered to the general population through players, teachers, coaches, and programs offered at community courts, public and private facilities. Doubles is very different compared to singles. It requires effective communication, collaboration, positioning and strategy for consistent success and enjoyment. The purpose and intent of Smart Doubles® is to enable more recreational players (juniors, adults) to enjoy and benefit from the sport of tennis through the fun, social game of doubles.
The Smart Doubles® book and program seek to encourage, empower, and equip novice, returning and active recreational players through a variety of doubles-oriented clinics, events, and easy to remember and apply phrases (Ron’s Riffs). In addition, the Smart Doubles® program seeks to make learning and applying basic, common sense doubles strategy and positioning FUN, more accessible and feasible for recreational players. Recreational tennis is a local sport and not all players have ACCESS to programs, good instructors and opportunities to learn, practice, play and enjoy tennis. This book is ideal for doubles players who are largely self-taught or who have limited access and time for doubles-oriented clinics and lessons.
We may see more singles activity especially on television but, it seems we enjoy and play more doubles as recreational players in our communities. Hopefully, this website, book and program will inspire and motivate you to learn, play, improve, and excel at recreational doubles. We are passionate about tennis and wish to make it easier to enjoy on a regular basis for more recreational players. As you know, everyone who participates in tennis begins at LOVE!
Smart Doubles® is a registered trademark and evidence-based teaching/learning program for recreational players from 2.5–4.5 (NTRP) /2.0-6.5 (UTR) levels. Also, you may be classified or self-rated as an advanced beginner, intermediate or advanced level player. The foundation of Smart Doubles® is DSW (deep to deep, short to short and wide to wide) with a few exceptions for specific situations. Ron Shield’s program began and evolved from conducting doubles strategy and positioning clinics, watching his teams and partnerships play competitive matches, and being active as a doubles player in the Atlanta metro.
Players win or lose doubles matches for specific reasons. Perhaps both players are working together, anticipating their partner’s tendencies, supporting each other, talking, and planning as they play or not. Too often, Ron witnessed two players sharing the court, but basically playing singles against their opponents. Ron has seen a ton of “dumb” doubles games, and most of the time, they were not fun!
Since a doubles point has a limited number of specific situations with three possible formations (one up and one back, two back and two up), you must be aware of your position/location, situation (struggling or not), and the formation across the net to execute the best or high percentage shot. To win more games/matches and enjoy doubles, you cannot just hit the ball and do “whatever.” You must conform to the unique nature, strategy, and proper positioning of doubles to excel at Smart Doubles®. On August 8, 2023, the book Smart Doubles® was published and available to purchase online at this site. In addition, we offer other logoed items to reinforce the program. At the moment we are only shipping to customers in the USA. On Amazon you can purchase the book only in paperback with B & W interior print and in e-book form for Kindle in full color on the interior. Additional retail stores are coming soon. All books sold through this site are full color on the inside and will be signed by Ron.
RON’S RIFFS
Ron’s Riffs were inspired during clinics with his Atlanta and Longboat Key teams/clients. He uses consistently many riffs to reinforce and simplify the DSW foundation and Smart Doubles® training. Riffs are motivational, easy to remember phrases that encourage you to “commit” to either a specific smart shot or a good position. A few of his favorites are Money Middle, One and Done, and High you Die. These three particular riffs apply to the net player in good position at the net striking first the middle between the two or behind the opposing net player for the “IG“ — instant gratification- shot or One and Done or Short to Short!
When at the net with good position do you tend to put the ball back in play deep or put it away to the middle or at an angle? You do not want to enable people to beat you by putting the ball back in play short to deep when you should be putting it away Short to Short especially with good positioning! Overheads are also hit short to the middle or an alley, especially when hitting from inside the service box offensively with little to no struggle.” Short to short“!
Do you tend to watch and admire your volley or shot at net without moving and anticipating the next likely shot? If so, you must learn to “FTB” (follow the ball) just in case it comes back from either the deep or short player to strike it again short to an alley depending on who gets lucky getting the first shot back. This book will provide commonsense tools, tactics and strategies to help you create more FUN and Success at doubles play.
KEEP IT SIMPLE SUSAN – aka KISS
The Smart Doubles® program is simple and fun. It provides tools, tactics, strategy and simple reminders to help you as a recreational player hit more high percentage shots in predictable doubles play based on specific formations, positions and situations. Of course, there are some specific situations that require an exception based on skill level and positioning. At net do you often realize after the ball has gone by that you could have and should have intercepted that cross-court ball with an angled or middle volley?
Ron’s Riffs are great tools and reminders for basic strategy, shot placement, and positioning such as: “Low You Go,” “High You Die,” “Happy Feet,” “FTB– Follow the Ball,” “It’s Party Time,” “What’s Your Plan Stan,” and many more! In addition, in the book Smart Doubles®, Ron provides visual tools to help you see and focus on the ball better and commit to specific strike points on the ball for specific shots. The game of doubles is many things including communication, strategy, positioning, teamwork, anticipation, movement, and commitment. However, if you do not keep your eyes on the ball, especially before and at contact, you will make more unforced errors.
Do you tend to rush the net after hitting from your baseline a cross court shot? If so, you should be ” shoveling” a low volley from behind or near the service line or worse from NML. This is a good example of “crashing the party” without a legitimate invite! The Smart Doubles® program is not about your stroke mechanics. Instead, it is about making doubles easier and more fun to learn, play and teach! It is a great program to encourage, equip and direct more recreational players to the game of tennis to enjoy on a regular basis. Tennis adds value to your lifestyle and doubles is twice the fun, especially if you play Smart Doubles®.
Players may directly share their testimonies on the blog page about how the Smart Doubles® program has helped their doubles growth and success. Please use the Contact Us boxes below to share or for general inquiries.
In addition to purchasing the book, Smart Doubles®, you may purchase a hat, visor, shoe bag or towel with certain riffs as motivational reminders. You can bundle combinations to fully enjoy Smart Doubles® merchandise and the program. The Smart Doubles® shoe bags embroidered with the riff ” Happy Feet” will help keep soft court material and general dirt out of your car and home. Our embroidered terry velour towels will remind you to finish the point at the net with One and Done, $$ Middle and High You Die placement.
We are seeking to create affiliate relationships with other quality pros, clubs, resorts, and facilities to Grow Tennis and in particular recreational doubles through the Smart Doubles® program. Thanks for visiting!
