How to Cover when Your Partner is Dragged out of Court in Doubles
by: Dave Winship @ On The Line

Mountain climbers are usually roped together for safety. In the days of Mallory and Irvine in the 1920's, the rope was actually more a bond between mountaineers than a safeguard against falling.

In doubles, you should maintain a bond with your partner in all sorts of ways. But in particular, you should imagine you're joined at the hip with a length of rope like a couple of mountaineers. If your partner's forced wide, you should move towards him, maintaining the distance between you. That way, you avoid large holes appearing between you. Sure, you'll leave some space to your side, but it's better to get your opponents aiming over the higher part of the net and nearer the sidelines than it is to invite them to fire a relatively safe winner right between you.

Move as a team and plug the self gap. It will force your opponents to take more risks. You could say it will give them a mountain to climb!

Regards.

Dave Winship