Improving doubles communication in tennis requires three layers of coordination: hand signals before serves and returns, loud verbal calls during active points, and brief strategy discussions between points. Two skilled players who do not communicate lose to a less talented team with better coordination. Communication eliminates the confusion that causes both players to chase the same ball, both players to leave a ball untouched, or one player to poach while the other serves to the wrong spot. A 2024 survey of 1,292 tennis fans by The Tennis Tribe found that nearly 70% of active tennis players participate in doubles, and the most cited difference between good doubles teams and great ones was communication quality, not shot quality. The USTA’s 2026 participation report recorded 27.3 million Americans playing tennis in 2025, with 60% of active adult players naming socialization as a primary reason they play. Doubles is the most social format in tennis, and communication is the skill that makes it work.
This guide covers every form of doubles communication: what to signal, what to say, when to talk, how to stay positive under pressure, and which drills build communication habits that become automatic in match play.
Why Is Communication Important in Doubles Tennis?
Communication is important in doubles tennis because two players sharing one side of the court must coordinate movement, shot selection, and positioning in real time without hesitation. Every point in doubles presents decisions that both players face simultaneously: who takes the ball down the middle, whether the net player should poach or stay, where the serve should go, and how the team should reposition after each shot. Without communication, each player guesses independently, and those guesses often conflict.
The most common result of poor communication is the “both watch it” error, where a ball lands between both players and neither moves to hit it. The second most common result is the collision, where both players run for the same ball and interfere with each other’s swing. Both errors give away free points. A simple, loud “mine” or “yours” call, delivered early and decisively, eliminates both problems entirely. The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) coaching guidelines emphasize that all four players on a doubles court need to be active throughout every point, and activity starts with communication.
Communication also serves a psychological purpose. Partners who talk to each other between points stay mentally engaged, process what happened in the previous point, and approach the next point with a shared plan rather than individual impulses. Teams that go silent during difficult stretches lose focus, lose rhythm, and lose matches. Communication keeps both players connected to the present moment and to each other. Developing these habits through regular doubles play turns communication from a conscious effort into an automatic reflex.
What Do Doubles Players Whisper to Each Other?
Doubles players whisper to each other about four main topics between points: where the serve or return will go, what the net player will do, what the baseline player will do, and observations about the opponents’ weaknesses. The reason players whisper (and often cover their mouths) is to prevent opponents from reading lips or overhearing the strategy. Even at the recreational level, an opponent who knows where the serve is going has a significant return advantage.
Typical between-point conversations include specific, actionable statements: “I’m going to serve wide to her backhand, so close the middle.” “His timing is off on his forehand, keep hitting there.” “I’ll return crosscourt, look to poach if it goes short.” “Let’s go both back on this return, his serve has been too strong to poach on.” These conversations take 5 to 10 seconds and produce clarity that lasts the entire point.
Professional doubles teams communicate between every single point without exception. Recreational players often skip this step, assuming the plan is obvious or feeling awkward about whispering on a club court. Skipping between-point communication is the fastest way to let a match drift out of control. The teams that whisper, signal, and plan before every point maintain sharper focus and make fewer tactical errors than teams that simply walk to their positions in silence.
What Hand Signals Do Doubles Players Use?
Doubles players use hand signals behind the back to communicate serve direction and net player movement without alerting the opponents. The net player displays the signals to the server while facing the net, with the signaling hand hidden behind the back or the thigh. The server confirms or rejects the signal by saying “yes” or “no” quietly before beginning the service motion.
The standard hand signal system uses two sets of signals. The first set communicates serve direction:
| Hand Signal | Meaning (Serve Direction) | Tactical Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Index finger pointing down | Serve down the T (center) | Reduces returner’s angle; opens the court for a net player poach |
| Two fingers (index and middle) pointing down | Serve to the body | Jams the returner’s swing; produces weak, floating returns |
| Pinky finger or thumb pointing outward | Serve wide (to the alley) | Pulls returner off the court; opens the opposite side for a volley winner |
The second set communicates the net player’s intended movement after the serve:
| Hand Signal | Meaning (Net Player Movement) | Tactical Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Closed fist | Net player stays on their side | Protects the alley; conservative positioning |
| Open palm | Net player poaches across the middle | Intercepts crosscourt returns; finishes points aggressively |
| Finger wiggle or wave | Fake poach (move but return to original position) | Distracts returner; forces errors without committing to the poach |
Sources: LTA Essential Doubles Tactics Guide 2026, Tennis Creative Hand Signal Guide, The Tennis Bros Doubles Hand Signal Guide, Athletic Kings Doubles Communication Guide
Teams can customize their signal system beyond these basics. Some partnerships use a thumbs-up to confirm agreement, a head shake to reject a suggestion, or unique signals that only they understand. The system itself matters less than consistency. Both players must agree on what each signal means before the match starts and use the same signals every time. Inconsistent signals create more confusion than no signals at all. Players who train together regularly through coaching sessions develop signal systems that become second nature within a few weeks of practice.
How Do You Call Balls During a Doubles Point?
You call balls during a doubles point by shouting “mine” or “yours” loudly and early, before the ball crosses the net whenever possible. Shot calling is the most basic and most important form of in-point communication. Every ball that lands in the area between the two partners needs a clear call. No exceptions. Even balls that seem obviously one player’s responsibility should be called, because “obvious” becomes ambiguous under pressure, fatigue, or fast-paced exchanges.
The call must be loud enough for your partner to hear it over the sound of the ball, the opponent’s movements, and ambient court noise. A mumbled “mine” at normal speaking volume does not work. The call must be a firm, projected shout. The Lawn Tennis Association coaching guidelines state that effective calls should be audible to players on adjacent courts, which gives a practical volume benchmark.
Additional verbal calls during points include “switch” (both players swap sides after a poach or lob forces a position change), “bounce it” (the net player should let the ball pass because it may land out), “short” (the opponent’s shot is landing short and one player should move forward to attack it), and “lob” (a lob is coming over the net player’s head). These calls convey tactical information in a single word, which is all the time a fast rally allows. Longer phrases like “that one’s yours, I think” cost too much time and introduce doubt. Short, decisive words produce fast, confident responses.
The Copenhagen City Heart Study found that tennis adds an estimated 9.7 years to life expectancy, with researchers partly attributing this benefit to the social interaction inherent in partner formats like doubles. Communication is the mechanism through which that social interaction happens on court, which means improving communication improves both performance and the long-term enjoyment that keeps players engaged with the sport for decades.
How Do You Communicate a Poach in Doubles?
You communicate a poach in doubles by signaling your intention to the server before the point begins, using an open palm hand signal behind the back. The poach is the most communication-dependent play in doubles because it requires both players to move in coordinated but opposite directions. The net player crosses toward the middle to intercept the return, and the server must cover the side of the court that the net player vacates. Without pre-point communication, the server does not know to cover the open alley, and a down-the-line return finds an empty court.
The sequence works as follows. Before the server begins the service motion, the net player displays the open palm signal. The server confirms with a quiet “yes.” The server then places the serve to a location that favors a crosscourt return from the opponent (typically wide or to the body), because a crosscourt return gives the poaching net player the best interception angle. As the server makes contact, the net player explodes diagonally forward and across the center line. The server, knowing the poach is coming, shifts immediately toward the vacated alley to cover any down-the-line attempt.
The fake poach uses the same pre-point signal (often a finger wiggle or a variation the team agrees on). The net player moves laterally as if poaching but stops before crossing the center line and returns to the original position. The movement alone distracts the returner, often producing a mis-hit or an error because the returner tries to change their return direction mid-swing. The fake poach carries no risk to court coverage because the net player returns to position, but it generates the same psychological pressure as a real poach. Teams that mix real poaches with fake poaches in group doubles sessions keep opponents guessing for the entire match.
What Should You Discuss Between Points in Doubles?
You should discuss observations about the opponents, adjustments to your own positioning, and the specific plan for the upcoming point between points in doubles. The time between points (approximately 20 to 25 seconds at the recreational level) provides enough time for a brief, focused conversation that keeps both players aligned.
Productive between-point discussions cover three areas:
- Opponent observations: “She’s been returning everything crosscourt, let’s poach on the next one.” “His backhand volley is weak, aim there when we get a chance.” “They’re standing really close to the net, throw up a lob.”
- Positioning adjustments: “Move a step closer to the center when I serve wide.” “Stand back a bit on this return, his serve has been kicking high.” “Let’s go both up after the first ball if my return is deep enough.”
- Upcoming point plan: “I’ll serve to his body, you look for the poach.” “I’ll chip the return low crosscourt, close the net if it stays low.” “Let’s play both back this point and make them come to us.”
Keep discussions short, specific, and forward-looking. Rehashing what went wrong on the last point wastes time and pulls focus backward. A quick “that’s fine, let’s move on” clears the previous point, and the next sentence focuses entirely on what comes next. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) reports 106 million tennis players worldwide, and doubles remains one of the most played formats globally because the between-point social interaction adds a dimension of engagement that singles play does not provide. Teams that use this time productively gain a tactical edge that compounds across an entire match.
How Do You Build Chemistry with a Doubles Partner?
You build chemistry with a doubles partner by playing together consistently, communicating openly about preferences, and developing shared patterns that both players trust under pressure. Chemistry in doubles is not personality compatibility alone. Chemistry is built through repetition, shared experience, and honest conversation about how each player wants to compete.
Before playing your first match together, discuss fundamental preferences: which side of the court does each player prefer (deuce or ad)? Who serves better under pressure (and should therefore serve first in a set)? How does each player want to receive encouragement when things go wrong (some players prefer silence, others prefer verbal support)? Does either player have a physical limitation that affects court coverage (a weaker overhead, a slow recovery to the backhand side)? These conversations prevent the misunderstandings that erode trust during matches.
Consistency matters more than talent when building chemistry. Playing with the same partner regularly creates familiarity with their movement patterns, shot tendencies, and decision-making instincts. After 10 to 15 matches together, many doubles teams develop an intuitive sense of where their partner will hit, when they will poach, and how they will react to specific situations. This intuition only develops through shared match experience. Players who participate in seasonal programs at our North York facility, including the spring program and fall program, build these partnerships across multiple training blocks with consistent weekly sessions.
A productive post-match debrief strengthens chemistry faster than playing additional matches. Spend 5 to 10 minutes after each match discussing what worked, what did not, and what to try differently next time. This reflection turns every match into a learning experience for the partnership, not just the individual players.
How Do You Stay Positive with Your Partner During a Match?
You stay positive with your partner during a match by using encouraging body language, replacing criticism with forward-focused suggestions, and maintaining energy through brief physical gestures like fist bumps or high fives between every point. Emotional communication is the most overlooked form of doubles communication, and it often determines whether a team that falls behind can recover or collapses under pressure.
Negative body language kills doubles partnerships faster than any tactical error. Slumped shoulders, eye rolls, head shakes, or turning away from a partner after a missed shot all communicate blame without saying a word. The partner receiving those signals loses confidence, tightens up, and plays worse on subsequent points. This downward spiral is preventable with a deliberate commitment to positive physical communication.
Replace backward-looking criticism with forward-looking suggestions. Instead of “why did you miss that volley?” say “next time, let’s close the net a step earlier so you get an easier ball.” The first statement creates defensiveness. The second statement creates a plan. Both acknowledge the error, but only the second one moves the team forward. The coaching philosophy that produces strong doubles players always prioritizes constructive communication over reactive frustration.
Physical gestures between points maintain team energy. A fist bump, a tap of the racket strings, or a brief pat on the shoulder after every point (whether the point was won or lost) signals partnership and shared responsibility. Professional doubles teams perform this ritual between virtually every point because it resets both players emotionally and physically before the next exchange. The USTA confirmed that participation in racquet sports reduces all-cause mortality by 47% and cardiovascular mortality by 59%, according to ITF research. The social and emotional benefits of doubles play, including the communication skills that transfer to other areas of life, contribute to these outcomes.
What Are Common Communication Mistakes in Doubles?
The most common communication mistakes in doubles are staying silent during points, skipping hand signals before serves, blaming your partner after errors, and overcomplicating the signal system. Each mistake creates confusion, erodes trust, or wastes tactical opportunities that communication would otherwise capture.
Silence during points is the most damaging mistake. When neither player calls the ball, both players hesitate. Hesitation in doubles costs points because the opponent’s shot arrives faster than either player can react after a delayed decision. Every ball between the two partners must be called. No ball is too obvious to call. The habit of calling every ball, even in practice, builds the reflex that performs automatically under match pressure.
Skipping hand signals before serves wastes the serving team’s biggest communication opportunity. The serving team has 20 to 25 seconds before each point to plan the serve direction and the net player’s movement. Using that time to signal and confirm a plan turns every service point into a coordinated play rather than two players improvising independently. Teams that skip signals play reactive doubles. Teams that signal play proactive doubles.
Overcomplicating the signal system is a subtler mistake. New doubles teams sometimes try to implement 10 or 12 different signals covering every possible scenario. Too many signals overwhelm both players and create more confusion than they prevent. Start with five signals: three for serve direction (T, body, wide) and two for net player movement (stay, poach). Add the fake poach signal once those five are automatic. Add return-side signals only after the serving-side signals are fully comfortable. Progressive complexity, introduced gradually through structured coaching, produces reliable communication habits that hold up under competitive pressure.
How to Improve at Doubles Tennis Through Communication Drills
You improve at doubles tennis through communication drills that isolate verbal calls, hand signals, and coordinated movement in progressively more challenging practice scenarios. Communication drills train the habit of talking on court, which is the single factor that most recreational doubles players need to develop.
Effective communication drills include:
- Call-every-ball drill: play points from the service line with the rule that every ball must be called (“mine” or “yours”) before the player swings; any point where a ball is not called counts as a lost point, regardless of the shot outcome
- Signal-only drill: play a full service game where the net player must signal before every serve and the server must confirm; the coach or opponents penalize any point where a signal is not given
- Silent-rally drill: play points where no talking is allowed after the serve; partners must communicate entirely through positioning and body movement, which forces players to watch their partner and read court geometry
- Switch drill: play crosscourt rallies where partners call “switch” after every three shots and physically swap sides; this builds the switching reflex and the verbal habit of calling position changes
- Positivity drill: after every point (won or lost), both partners must make a physical contact gesture (fist bump, racket tap) and say one positive word before walking to position; this embeds the between-point positivity habit
Run these drills for 10 to 15 minutes at the start of each doubles practice session. Communication habits develop through repetition, not through a single long training block. Short, frequent communication drills embedded into regular practice produce faster and more durable results than occasional focused sessions. Players who work on these skills through private instruction receive immediate feedback on the timing, volume, and clarity of their calls, which accelerates the learning process.
Where Should I Stand in Doubles?
Where you should stand in doubles depends on your role in the point: server, server’s partner, returner, or returner’s partner. Each role has a default starting position and a movement pattern that changes based on how the point develops. Communication determines how these positions shift as the point unfolds.
The server stands 2 to 4 feet from the doubles alley and moves forward toward the service line after serving. The server’s partner (the net player) starts at the service line, approximately one racket length from the center service line, ready to move laterally. The returner stands 1 to 2 feet behind the baseline, positioned for the expected serve angle. The returner’s partner starts at the service line on the opposite side, ready to move forward or back depending on the return quality.
Communication connects these positions. When the net player signals a poach, the server knows to cover the vacated alley. When the returner’s partner calls “short,” both players know to move forward aggressively. When either player calls “lob,” the net player knows to retreat and the baseline player knows to cover the net. Without these calls, positioning becomes static and predictable. With them, the team moves as a coordinated unit that adapts to every shot the opponents hit. Building this coordination through club membership and regular match play is the fastest path to instinctive doubles positioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should Doubles Partners Communicate During a Match?
Doubles partners should communicate before every single point and during every point where a ball is hit between the two players. Between points, a brief 5-to-10-second conversation or hand signal exchange sets up the plan. During points, verbal calls (“mine,” “yours,” “switch”) resolve who takes each ball. Professional doubles teams communicate between every point without exception, and recreational teams that adopt this habit see immediate improvement in coordination and point-winning efficiency.
What Should You Say to Your Doubles Partner After They Miss a Shot?
After your doubles partner misses a shot, the best response is a brief encouraging phrase and a forward-focused suggestion. “No worries, we’ll get the next one” or “good idea, just a bit more depth next time” acknowledge the missed shot without dwelling on it. Avoid silence, sighing, or any negative body language. The goal is to reset your partner’s confidence for the next point, not analyze the error mid-match.
Can You Talk During a Point in Doubles Tennis?
Yes, you can talk during a point in doubles tennis. Players routinely call “mine,” “yours,” “switch,” and other tactical cues during live rallies. The rule to be aware of is that deliberate verbal distraction aimed at the opponents (shouting during their stroke) can be called a hindrance under ITF Rule 26. Communication between partners is legal and expected. Communication directed at opponents to disrupt their play is a hindrance violation.
Do Hand Signals Matter at the Recreational Level?
Hand signals matter at every level of doubles tennis, including recreational. Recreational doubles points are often decided by confusion and miscommunication more than by shot quality. A simple three-signal system (serve direction) and two-signal system (net player stay or poach) gives recreational teams a tactical structure that most opponents at the same level do not use. The advantage is immediate and does not require advanced shot-making ability to exploit.
How Do You Handle a Doubles Partner Who Does Not Communicate?
You handle a doubles partner who does not communicate by initiating the communication yourself. Start by asking “what’s the plan?” before each service point and calling every ball during rallies loudly enough to model the behavior you want from your partner. Many players stay silent not because they prefer silence but because they have never played with a partner who communicates actively. Leading by example often prompts the quieter partner to begin participating within a few games. A structured group lesson environment provides coached doubles play where communication habits are taught explicitly, which helps quieter players develop comfort with on-court talking.
What Is the Most Important Thing to Communicate in Doubles?
The most important thing to communicate in doubles is who takes the ball. Every other form of communication, from hand signals to strategy discussions, exists to support this fundamental question. Calling “mine” or “yours” early and decisively prevents the two most costly doubles errors: both players going for the same ball and both players leaving a ball for the other. If a doubles team does nothing else, calling every ball eliminates a category of free points that opponents would otherwise win without hitting a quality shot.
The Takeaway
Communication in doubles tennis is a skill, not a personality trait. Players who seem like natural communicators on court developed that ability through practice, just like their forehand or their serve. The hand signal system gives you a framework for pre-point planning. Verbal calls give you a system for in-point coordination. Between-point conversations give you a structure for continuous tactical adjustment. Positive body language gives you a mechanism for maintaining team energy across a full match. Each layer builds on the one below it, and together they transform two individual players into a coordinated doubles team.
Start simple. Agree on five hand signals with your partner. Call every ball during your next practice session. Fist bump after every point. These three habits alone will change how you play doubles, and the improvement will be visible from the very first set.
We develop doubles communication skills at every level at Bayview Village Tennis Camp, where our coaching team builds both the technical and tactical dimensions of doubles play. Call 905-889-7293 to find the right program for your goals.
