Doubles Serve Signal Drill
Communication & Teamwork
Legend
- player
- movement path
How it works
Introduce doubles net signal communication by teaching partners to use hand signals behind the back to coordinate net player positioning before each serve.
What you need
- tennis racket
- tennis balls
- court
Your focus
Hand signals are the foundation of effective doubles teamwork at every level, and learning them early builds a communication language that partners can use throughout their careers. Practicing signals in a low-pressure context lets players become fluent before applying them in competition. Coordinated poaching decisions built on signals produce more consistent net results than spontaneous reactions.
Coach explains and demonstrates two signals: closed fist = stay, open hand = poach.
Net player holds signal behind their back while server prepares; server peeks at signal and nods to confirm.
Server serves and net player executes the agreed action (stay or poach); play the point out.
After each point, partners give a quick verbal recap ('you called poach and it worked' or 'I missed the signal') before the next serve.
Goal
You've got it when your partner reads your signal correctly every time and there's no confusion about who's covering what, one signal, one plan, no hesitation.
Helpful cues
- Signal before the toss, not during it
- Server, always check the signal, never assume
- A good poach starts with a good signal, not a good instinct
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Use only the stay signal for the first week so players build the habit of looking before adding the poach option.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Add a third signal (one finger = I fake a poach) and require the team to decide their signal combination before the service game begins.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.