Left and right combination in doubles

My partner is a left hander and I'm a right hander

The coach has told us, when I serve, he will be standing at my right hand-side back.

After I serve, I will have to move to my left to make way for my partner to move.

Questions.

Many times, when my partner is standing at that position, after I serve, the opponent will return a real short ball placement at the left hand side of the net, resulting for my partner not able to reach the ball. 

I told my partner to change his ready position to my left hand-side and after I serve, even though the ball placement from the opponent returns a real short, my partner is able to reach it.

Which is the correct way for my left hander partner to stand in the ready position.

I've watched Wang Hao and Xu Xin in the doubles and I do see that Xu Xin do have problems as well when the ball return is in his far left, although it is suppose to be in Xu Xin's forehand.

Please help.

Hi Desmond,

Use the setup that your coach has recommended.  Try to get him to stand a little closer to you when you receive.  You also need to receive with your forehand so that you are giving him more space and allowing him the chance to get a bit closer to the middle of the table.

Make sure as soon as you return you move to your left and back a little. From there he will be able to reach the short forehand position.  Really give this a try because it is the best way to play doubles with a left hander.