Tips for positioning in doubles

Sally Morton Asked 2 weeks ago

At our social table tennis club for seniors we only play doubles.  Can you provide some tips for positioning when playing with large and slow older men to avoid tripping over when taking alternate shots and being in best position to take each shot.

Alois Rosario Answered 2 weeks ago

Hi Sally,

The main thing is to move as efficiently as possible which means moving out of the way to the side but not too far away so that you have too far to come back in.  If your partner is slow you need to stay quite close but move to the side.  Especially when you are on the right side of the court don't move too far away as you are coming in to play a backhand which you don't have as much reach for.

The other thing that I would recommend for safety is to try "Stay in your lane" doubles which is something that we came up with after speaking to another social group. Take look at the video on Stay in Your Lane Doubles as an idea that you can share with the group and trial.