Need some Help? Coming to net used to be considered the only way to win in doubles. Well, times have changed.
Excerpted from TENNIS Magazine and www.tennis.com

After attending several pro tournaments recently, I've come to the conclusion that the game of doubles has changed. Being a classic serve-and-volley doubles player, I was shocked to see how many players serve and stay back and return and stay back. Sometimes, I even saw all four players start the point at the baseline!
Indeed, many players who are uncomfortable at net feel they have a better chance of winning the point by staying back and setting up the point with ground strokes. In this era of power tennis, hitting good volleys off of huge ground strokes can be a difficult proposition.
So can you really be successful at doubles without coming to the net? Yes. Here are the doubles formations that have at least one player of the four hitting from the baseline, and what you should do from there. By using the right tactics, you can make any of them a winning position.

In the staggered formation, the key is for Player A to keep the ball deep and crosscourt to Player D. During the rally, Player B should look for an opportunity to poach and put away the volley.

Two Teams in Staggered Positions
When both teams have one player at the baseline and one at the net or service line, the ball should be hit to the player at the baseline. The object is to keep the ball away from the person at the net while setting up your partner for an easy volley. Don't hit at the net player unless you have a ball that you know you can win the point on. Also, keep your ground strokes deep or your net player will make an attractive target. And using too much angle will give your opponent a crack at a down-the-line pass. If you can't sustain a baseline-to-baseline rally, try lobbing over the net player to throw the opposing team off-balance.


Staggered Position Against Two at the Net
Hit shots that prevent the net team from attacking your partner. High balls hit to the net team can result in volleys drilled right at your partner at net, so keep your ground strokes low and dip them over the net. This will force the opposing team to volley up defensively, and your net player may have a chance to pick off the shot and put the ball away. It's best to keep your baseline drives crosscourt or down the middle because that limits the net team's options. If you hit down the line, the opposing net player can angle a volley crosscourt between you and your net player. If you do try to go down the line, make sure you have an opening in the alley, or dip it very low; otherwise, the lob is your best bet for success.

Keeping the ball low and down the middle (1) will force the players at net to volley defensively and leave them no angles. If they close in on the net, lob over their heads (2).

Two Back Against Two Up
Hit down the middle of the court with dipping ground strokes to prevent the net team from pinning you behind the baseline. Remember, the net players are trying to force you to hit high ground strokes that they can put away. The "hole," or the middle, is a smart place to hit because many teams have trouble deciding who takes that ball. This also draws both players into the middle and can leave an opening either crosscourt or down the line for a passing shot.
Another strategy is to hit a high lob that forces the net team to move back. If they recover, you've at least backed them off the net and can continue hitting at their feet and looking for angles.

With both back against a staggered formation, you want to hit to the player on the baseline (1) or try to lob over the player at the net (2)

Two at the Baseline Against Staggered Position
When given the choice, it's smarter to hit to a player on the baseline rather than one at the net. Therefore, when you have both players back, you should hit to the opposing baseline player. You have to be patient in this setup and wait for your opponent to hit a short ball that you can attack. Also, lobbing over the net man is a good way to force the opposing team to switch positions, possibly cause some confusion, and give yourself an opportunity to take over the net.
If your team is staggered (bottom), keep your shots deep and crosscourt to your opponents on the baseline. Wait for a short ball and hit an approach shot, or throw in a high, deep shot down the middle that gives you enough time to join your partner at net. If you prefer to stay back, you should still rally crosscourt: getting involved in a down-the-line exchange leaves your net player little chance to poach.
4: With both back against a staggered formation, you want to hit to the player on the baseline (1) or try to lob over the player at the net (2).
In a staggered setup against two at the baseline, Player A should hit deep and down the middle so he can transition up to net to join his partner.

In a staggered setup against two at the baseline, Player A should hit deep and down the middle so he can transition up to net to join his partner.


All Four Players Back
Even in what is seemingly a defensive formation you still want to find a way to be aggressive and finish the point. A good lob, low slice, or deep ball up the middle or to the weaker player can help you get to net so you can finish the point. Some teams like to sneak in together, so hit a high, looping topspin ground stroke to allow both players to charge the net. Remember, though, that with almost no openings on the court, don't rush the point. If you prefer staying back, keep rallying by mixing your shots up (hard ball, lob, slice, etc.) until you force an error. If your opponents are uncomfortable at net, you can throw in some short balls to force them off the baseline.