Lefty vs. Righty: How to Adjust Doubles Strategy

Mastering the Court with Mixed-Handed Teams

🤔 Why Handedness Matters in Doubles

• Who covers the middle
• How you position yourselves
• What shots you're best equipped to take
• How effectively you communicate

🎾 Common Doubles Combinations (and How to Play Them)

1. Righty + Righty (Most Common)

🔧 Strategy: Let the left-side player (forehand in the middle) take the majority of center balls. They’ll have the better angle and more power.

2. Lefty + Righty (Power Combo!)

✅ Best setup:

• Lefty on the left
• Righty on the right This puts both forehands facing the middle for maximum court control.

💥 Bonus: This arrangement opens up sharper angles and stronger middle dominance.

3. Lefty + Lefty (Rare but Possible)

🔄 Strategy: The right-side player should control the middle with their forehand—same idea, reversed roles.

🎯 Playing Against a Lefty

• Target their backhand—usually on their left side.
• If they’re on the left, their backhand is in the middle—potentially a weak spot.
• If they’re on the right, their forehand is in the middle—expect fast, aggressive play.

🛡️ Defensive tip: Don’t float high balls to the middle if the lefty is stationed on the right. They'll smash it.

🤝 Communication Is Everything

• Call “Mine!” and “Yours!” early and often.
• Decide before the match who covers what zones—especially the middle.
• Practice coordinated movement to avoid stepping into each other’s shots.

👥 Think of your team as overlapping circles. The middle zone is where your teamwork matters most—and where your strength lies when aligned.

🏁 Final Thoughts