BUILD YOUR KITCHEN POSITIONING
Connected line drill.
Great doubles positioning feels like an invisible rope between partners. This drill makes that connection visible.
10 minutes · 4 players · Kitchen line
What this drill builds
Move with your partner as a unit while keeping the middle protected.
Set up
Two teams start at the kitchen line. One pair begins the rally; their partners mirror lateral movement and call any gaps.
Make the rep useful
Common miss: Chasing a wide ball alone and leaving the middle open.
A good rep: A five-ball exchange where the pair stays level and the middle never feels abandoned.
The takeaway
Staying connected with your partner closes the middle and prevents the easy gaps that opponents look for in doubles.
Progress the drill
Begin with one player calling “together” whenever the pair reaches the kitchen line. Remove the call only after both players arrive with similar depth and paddles up.
Carry it into a game
After a point, name the gap you left: middle, sideline, or transition. The useful correction is moving together on the next return, not replaying the miss.