If your partner is hitting the ball, as a perfect partner you must know, where he hit it, where and how far you must go, to attack or defend. As you see, your job is 3 times harder than his. But, you have help. Do you know who it is? Your closest opponent is telling you everything, when to go, where to go and where your partner is going to hit the shot. Let me ask you another question. Where is you partner going to hit his shot? I know the answer before the ball is struck, do you?

Answer: To the closest opponent and easy. Congratulations, to all who answered correctly, you are understanding how to play doubles at a high level. If you assume the ball is going to be hit to the closest opponent and it is, you are READY. If you assume it is going to be hit to the closest opponent and it is not you will still have TIME prepare for that shot. If you assume your partner is going to hit the ball to the farthest opponent and he does you are in GREAT shape. If however, you assume the ball is going to be hit to the farthest opponent and it is hit to the closest opponent or that opponent poaches the return then you are NOT READY.

Now you see that assuming that the return will always be to the closest opponent allows you to be ready or will give you the time to get ready for any shot. Preparing for the farthest opponent getting the ball assumes that your partner will always hit the best shot. Mine doesn't and I bet your doesn't either, so prepare for the worst and you will be prepared for everything.