My partner and I have trouble reacting to balls either hit to us at the net or in poaching service returns.  Any tips on speeding up our reaction time?

Most players are uncomfortable standing at the net since the overwhelming psychological urge from our brain is to protect ourselves from balls hit in our direction.  In 'flight or fright' mode, we all tend to stand too upright with our elbows behind us in a defensive flat footed mode which exacerbates our 'inertia'.  To react to a volley or to move to poach a return, we have to overcome inertia and take our first step -- which is similar to the bigger effort it takes to crank the the first turn of a bike wheel from a standing position. This takes time and effort and reduces our reaction time to volleys.

If you take a look at the picture of Cara Black, one of the world's top doubles players, you'll notice that she's crouched over her elbows ready to move. This allows her to move freely and not be caught flat footed if the ball is hit directly at her.

For those of you who saw her play in Sydney or Melbourne in January, you would have observed that Cara is always moving forward towards the net and so overcomes her inertia.  This not only allows her to react more quickly but, more importantly, to change direction if she needs to intercept the ball whether it's hit down the line or cross court.

So remember, crouch down over your elbows and move forward as the ball passes you to increase your reaction time and not be caught flat footed at the net!

Often when my partner and I are at the net, we get lobbed. Who should chase the lobs?

Amongst equals, the conventional rule is "over your head is yours". This allows a doubles team to maintain a doubles formation which still defends both quadrants of the court. 

For pairs where one player is stronger or more mobile, the 'duck and switch' strategy is the best option in dealing with a good lob. The drawback is that one partner will have to run further, will not be able to hit an attacking shot in response and your team concedes an attacking position to your opponents. It's imperative that the weaker player switches sides to cover the open court. Even so, by responding with a high lob, you stay in the point and allow your team to regroup defensively!

The absolute worse situations: either both players look at each other and neither chases the lob; or one player chases a crosscourt lob and the partner fails to switch sides to cover the open quadrant.

Whatever, the situation, you have to communicate strategy with your partner with a simple "yours" or "mine" when the lob goes up. And perhaps, a follow up "switch" to remind your partner to cross over if you're doing the chasing.

Of course, you would prefer NOT to have to chase down a lot of lobs.  A penetrating volley or a well placed approach shot will prevent a good lob. 

It's a basic mistake to play further back from the net to cover 'possible lobs' and open yourself up to cross court balls at your feet. Remember that the risk is with your opponents when they try to lob over you when you're at the net. You're in a winning position with several volley or put-away options. They, on the other hand, have to hit the ball with enough margin for error to get the ball over your head to prevent you from smashing the ball away and yet keep the ball in court.  In short, concede a little 'good on you' credit to your opponents for successfully executing a difficult shot -- yet they still have to win another 23 points to win a typical set!

The final word: the lob is probably the most underrated shot in tennis. It's most effective when used to break up an attacking game or change the rhythm of play. 

Jack Groppel, USPTA Master Professional, writing in the January issue of ADDvantage, says that according to world-renowned scientists from a variety of disciplines, there is no doubt that tennis can improve your overall health, including your mental and physical fitness.  Here are the facts:

• People who participate in tennis three hours per week at a moderately vigorous intensity cut in half their risk of death from any cause, according to the late Dr. Ralph Paffenbarger, who was an internationally recognized exercise authority and studied more than 10,000 people for 20 years.

• Tennis players scored higher in vigor, optimism and self-esteem while scoring lower in depression, anger, confusion, anxiety and tension than other athletes and nonathletes, according to Dr. Joan Finn and colleagues at Southern Connecticut State University.

• Since tennis requires alertness and tactical thinking, it may generate new connections between nerves in the brain and promote a lifetime of continuing development of the brain, reported scientists at the University of Illinois.

• Tennis outperforms golf and most other sports in developing positive personality characteristics, according to Dr. Jim Gavin, author of “The Exercise Habit.”  

• Competitive tennis burns more calories than aerobics or cycling, according to studies in caloric expenditures.

With these facts in mind, click here to review the 34 specific reasons Jack suggests as to why you should consider playing tennis regularly!

Source: USPTA ADDvantage Magazine January 2008