Australian Tennis Rules

Tennis is a sport played around the world with standard rules applied to most professional and recreational matches. In doubles (two players against two players), there is a particular strategy referred to as Australian doubles. This is an advanced poaching strategy used by teams to confuse the service returner. In Australian doubles, the server is lined up to serve directly behind or nearly behind his partner at the net. Following certain rules leads to effective execution of this strategy.

  1. Formation

    • The goal of Australian doubles is to confuse opponents and make them think about where the serve should be returned. In traditional doubles formations, the server stands near one doubles line with his partner in the service box on the opposite side of the court. For example, the server may stand near the sideline of the deuce (right) court with his partner is the ad (left) service box. Australian doubles moves the formation into a line where the server is near the center mark with his partner directly in front of him. The server must not cross the center mark, otherwise it is a foot fault and the serve is no good. His partner can be anywhere in front of him--but should be crouched low to prevent being accidentally hit from behind.

    Communication

    • When the serve is struck, the person and the net will cover either the left or right side of the court with the server covering the opposite side. It is imperative for the server and his partner to know where the serve will be directed and who is moving in what direction. To do this, the team must either discuss or use hand signals designating the serve target and the first move to prevent both players from covering the same side and leaving the other side completely open. Players must do this within the 25 seconds allotted between points. While it is permissible to use the Australian doubles formation on both first and second serves, many teams move to the traditional formation if the first serve is missed. This should also be established prior to striking the first serve.

    Execution

    • Once the serve is in play, standard doubles rules apply to the point. The returner has the option of hitting the ball to any part of the opposing team's court. If the Australian doubles strategy is properly executed, the receiving team is unsure about where the "net man" will be. The net man has the advantage to cut off balls and end points faster. This confusion is the goal of the Australian doubles strategy. Once the designated receiver puts the serve back in play, either player on either side of the net can make a play on the ball when it is on his designated side of the net.