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Never stop learning and Smart Doubles stayed true. I’ve played tennis from an early age, mostly singles. But now well into my sixties playing doubles allows me court time where the body can still perform. My last doubles match, I was a liability but reading this book, my game, happy game is back. Using communication and having a strategy with my partner has made the game enjoyable (winning) again. As for the Riffs, I’ve cleaned my verbal comments up with a smile versus a grimace. And note, I read a book long ago about the inner/mind game of tennis. Smart Doubles has reminded me of where my mind needs to be and staying focused. Thanks, Ron, for the education and bringing my game and enjoyment back.

Mathew L. Denver, CO

As a fairly-new-to-doubles senior player who is still uncertain at the net, I found the instructions in your book to be very helpful and even reassuring. I see how most of my 3.0 partners don’t know how to move with the ball; the 3.5-and-above players respectively do this better once I’ve paid attention to noticing their movements. I’m going to suggest to my foursomes that they read your book. We have some doubles clinics at our club, but it will be helpful to read and internalize the changes and then attend doubles- oriented clinics where the recommendations/corrections will make more sense.

Jacki M.

Smart Doubles is an easy to read and easy to follow book/program for all recreational players. I have incorporated some of the tennis tips to make my game more successful. Ron uses cute phrases to help you remember strategies i.e. “money middle” and “high you die”. After years of teaching as a top tennis professional in Florida and Georgia, he has mastered the art of recreational doubles strategies and court etiquette. The illustrations on court formations are simple to understand. If you have a regular tennis partner, he/she should read it too, so that both have a more successful game and more fun.

Linda E.

Your book reinforced so many of the things I have learned over the years, and it gave me new ways to remember them. Ron’s Riffs are a great way to stay smart on the court! I have been a team Captain now for more years than I can count. Your advice on the different ways teams can be run; to recruiting the right players for your team was spot on! I very much enjoyed your book.

Patti C.

Ron’s Riff’s are fantastic! I encourage every serious recreational tennis player to read, study and use them. They’ve certainly helped my game with such a great simple reminder of how to improve and play a good game of Doubles.

Paul L.

I have benefited from your straight talk and clear diagrams of doubles play in Smart Doubles. My self-talk while on the court includes my favorite Ron’s riffs: “low you go”, “high you die” and “happy feet” to remember to stay light, active and ready!

Robin P.

I have read and discovered terrific ideas and tactics from Ron’s Smart Doubles book. Being a Special Olympics athlete and Assistant Tennis Professional at a local club in the Lakewood Ranch area, I will utilize these when I play and when I teach my students at the club and outside the club to my fellow Special Olympics teammates. But if there is one take away from Smart Doubles I would say:

“What is the Plan Stan.” This is a great way to communicate with your doubles partner on a plan. Whatever that maybe. I feel this is also an excellent way for singles players as well to remind themselves to help get back on track with a game plan. Because without a plan it is difficult to play and have fun. This is a wonderful read and can benefit anyone at any level of play.

Ryan S.

As a 4.0 doubles tennis enthusiast, I thought I knew something about how to play the game. Smart Doubles opened my eyes to how much more there is to learn. It’s ideally suited for someone like me, someone who can place a shot reasonably consistently and is comfortable with volleying and is ready to take his game to the next level through smart, strategic play.

Jim G.

Smart Doubles vs Dumb Doubles

As you know, there are basically two games of tennis singles and doubles. Obviously, the game of singles is significantly different than the game of doubles. Making the transition from playing alone or singles to playing doubles with a partner requires conformity to the strategic fundamentals of the doubles game. You may be a good hitter or singles player, but not all your singles skills/shots will transfer to playing a successful game of doubles especially against two experienced doubles players or partners. Just hitting the ball or playing singles usually does not work in competitive doubles play. Smart Doubles® tip #1: Learn to play doubles!

During the recent 2024 Summer Olympics, we witnessed two doubles specialists, Americans Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek, defeat two world class singles players Carlos Alcaraz and Rafa Nadal in straight sets. Smart Doubles® tip #2: If you prefer to play more doubles, think of yourself as a doubles player or doubles specialist. In doubles play there are a variety of specific shots used such as lobs, angles, down the middle and short to short shots. Also, in doubles play you share the court with a specific partner with certain abilities, strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies.

Smart Doubles® tip #3: Know your partner or potential partners by playing practice matches with them, taking small group clinics (three-four players) and practicing specific tactics/strategies with a purpose. For example, doing the Australian formation on the ad side against a strong backhand player or playing patiently two back require some practice and coordination before using it when it really matters. Find or request players you know and enjoy playing with. It can be challenging during match play figuring out both your partner’s abilities and the abilities of your opponents. If you frequently play with different or random unknown partners for match play, you are likely to become frustrated with tennis and doubles especially in league match play. Sometimes you may have to take one for the team.

In doubles play it is important to be able to communicate effectively with your partner. How you communicate or suggest specific tactics/strategy during or after a game requires a positive tone and team work preferably spoken as “let’s” do this or “we” should do more of that. Some people tend to communicate in a bossy tone or as the coach. Smart Doubles® tip #4: Speak to your partner in a constructive, positive manner to create more success and fun with them on the court. In other words, be positive, supportive, and encouraging with your words and body language. Always think partnership and teamwork! Asking questions, talking, and communicating what you see, want and think will help create more success, points and games won. Communicating with your partner in a negative manner usually does not create a positive outcome or experience. Doubles should be twice the fun with a good attitude and happy feet even when you are not victorious.

We all can have a bad day or not be present at times and get in a negative zone. My simple advice is to snap out of it, focus on the BALL and mentally commit to precisely what you want. Looking at your desired target while attempting to strike the ball is a common problem for all players. You must keep your eyes on the ball while hitting a specific shot. The ball goes where you direct it not where you look across the net. Also, the court does not move.

Smart Doubles® tip # 5: LIG- Let it go! When you miss an easy shot smile, laugh, or scream quietly and move forward. Do not allow one or two missed shots to taint your match focus and play. As a teaching professional for 25 plus years including 11 of those years coaching in Atlanta, my favorite clinic to promote doubles success is Three & Me. This type of clinic maximizes a pro’s ability to see players perform in specific situations, make sure they are properly executing a variety of basics, and prepare those players for success.

Working with four players (two partnerships) in situational point play and related drills is good too. Lastly, round robins or supervised match play are good opportunities too that allow me or any coach to see multiple courts hopefully engaged in more Smart Doubles® than dumb doubles. If you enjoy playing doubles, spend more quality time practicing doubles specific skills in a doubles environment. Keep in mind, doubles can be twice the fun!

One of the most frustrating things to witness as a teaching professional during any doubles match is to see the net player or players in good position (one up and one back or two up against one up and one back) put a volley or overhead with contact well above the net level back in play (short to deep) instead of placing the ball to the open middle or at the opposing net player’s feet or alley. This is a “High You Die” situation. Smart Doubles® Tip #6: Finish the point, put the ball away or at least create struggle by hitting “short to short” when you have a higher ball at the net in good offensive position! Do not help or enable your opponents!

When in a deep location such as at or near your baseline your job MOST of the time is to keep the ball away from the opposing net player (one up and one back) especially when the opposing net player has a good position. Your smart or high percentage shot options are “deep to deep”. Smart Doubles® Tip #7: You must hit cross court or lob keeping the ball away as much as possible from the opposing net player especially with good position. Hitting “deep to short” (one up and one back) is usually a risky and low percentage option. However, there are some good situations to hit at the opposing net player, but those will not to be discussed now.

Since doubles is a strategic game and partnership, it is important to figure out as the match progresses what it takes to beat the other two players across the net. You may have to play two back more on certain points, move up to play at net when invited, or serve at their body or backhand due to a returner favoring his blistering forehand. In other words, you must eventually adjust, figure out what it takes to win against your current opponents.

Smart Doubles® Tip #8: “What is your Plan Fran/Stan”. Whatever you see and know that is working commit to doing it. Just hitting the ball, not being aware of what is working and not working on both sides of the net and not talking to your partner about specifics (strategy and tactics) is not a situation for success nor fun. Frankly, it is dumb doubles! You do not and will not execute perfectly all the time, but the only way to enhance your chances for success is to talk, discuss and plan! keep it simple!

For example, if player A can keep three balls in play relatively deep cross court back to player D and away from the opposing net lady the other deep player (D) is likely to make a mistake because she is not as consistent. Also, she may return to or near your partner player B in good position at the net. If you want to hit more volleys and overheads when positioned at the net, maintain “happy feet” especially when the ball is in front of you on the other side of the net. When you see struggle, such as reaching, dipping, late or framed contact, or the backside of the player be ready to take action.

Smart Doubles® Tip #9: Follow the ball and anticipate how the ball is coming back. Either the ball is in front of you or behind you when up at the net area. Learn the” Tennis Two Step” when playing up at the net area! After a good cross court service return or during a “deep to deep” rally move back two steps with the ball for defense (now focus on the opposing net player, not your partner) and two steps up for offense when your partner’s next “deep to deep” cross court shot or lob safely clears the opposing net player. This up and back flow will help you play more effectively offense and defense when at the net area.

Ideally, you want to be near the likely path of the ball to intercept or take an offensive shot. When you position TOO close to the net or two FAR away from the net you make it harder to obtain easy shots to put away.

Smart Doubles® Tip #10. Don’t sit in No Man’s Land for two shots. Either hit and go to the “party” or move back towards your baseline. Sitting on the fence looks bad and should be uncomfortable. Make a commitment in this situation other than staying in a bad position.

The purpose and mission of the Smart Doubles® book and program is to make it easier for recreational players to learn, improve and excel at the fun, social game of doubles.

If you have not obtained a copy of Smart Doubles® please do so here at my website. I will sign and ship it to you.

Topics for upcoming Articles & Tips:

Offense or Defense

Good Positioning or Bad Positioning

High Percentage Shots or Low Percentage Shots

Open or Closed Communication

Good Partners and Good Partnerships

Hitting or Playing

Smart Doubles Clinics/Doubles Strategy & Positioning Clinics (3-4 players) or Private Lessons

Use Ron’s Riffs to enhance your doubles fun and success!