Doubles is a crazy game and two good doubles players will defeat two good singles players. Here are some signs of common doubles errors:
1. One (or more) players are on the wall–standing near or against a sidewall is a big no-no. Why? Not only are you out of position, you can be hit with a cross court attempt by your opponents and you have no room to get out of the way!
2. Failure to move up-the serve comes to your partner and you just stand in the back. You must move up, not stay back! Someone has to cover the front! You might even consider yourself a singles player until your partner joins you in the front court!
3. Shooting to the open court on your side of the court is great if the player on your side is way out of position, but be sure to survey the entire court, not just your side!
4. Side by side positioning is not good in doubles. There is no second line of defense so one player should always sag back slightly and one forward. Staggered positioning is more effective.
5. Use of singles serves-the drive serve is nice but it really pits one against two. Let me explain-when a doubles player hits a drive serve the players receiving the serve can cut the serve off and two players are out of position. When lobbing a good lob serve, both players get in great position and now it one (the returner) vs two (the team in front).