Trouble - What to do in doubles when you're opponent is in trouble

In doubles, "trouble" as it pertains to your opponent, means anytime they are off balance, stretching, or retreating. It also means anytime the net player has a ball at their feet or at least very low in relation to the net.  In these circumstances, your opponent's ability to accurately control the direction and intent of their shot is limited at best.  What does this mean for you?

If you are playing at net, and are down the line from the ball, it means attack!  Close the net (move forward) immediately upon seeing your opponent's in trouble, before they strike the ball.  Look to cross and take the next ball wherever it may go.  This is your team's offensive opportunity to end the point now!

By not attacking, you allow your opponents to recover and get back into the point.  This lengthens the point, and increases your chance of losing the point.  Attacking when your opponent is in trouble increases the odds of you winning the point.

Here are a few examples of players "in trouble:"

 In the above photograph, David Ferrer is on the full stretch to the forehand side.  He is about to hit a squash shot of some kind, with a continental grip, which is not his normal forehand grip.  This is important, because anytime a player, especially a recreational player, switches their grip to hit a ball back, this means they are in trouble.  In the above picture Ferrer is also "in trouble" because e is on the full stretch and will be off balance after this shot.

 In the above photograph, Agnieszka Radwanska is about to hit a forehand slice from a slightly stretched out open stance position.  This is her "in trouble." Again, this is not her normal forehand by any stretch of the imagination.  In single she might get away with this shot, but in doubles, if you recognize the trouble, this shot is easy pickings for a net player.

In the above photograph, the player is fully stretched out to the backhand side, and the racquet and arm create a 180 degree angle.  He is "in trouble."  In other words, there is no L to create stability.  This will be a weak reply.  Your net partner, if they recognize this poor position before they strike the ball, will easily pick this off.

Learn to recognize when your opponent is in trouble, and attack, and your poaching rate of success will go up astronomically!