This is another AMA episode where I focus on the return of serve. Perhaps the most important shot in doubles, and certainly the least practiced.

I break down why the return of serve is misunderstood and how I think about practicing and implementing effective returns. I also dig into consistency, targets, patterns, deuce vs ad court, and tactics for the return.

• Why returns and groundstrokes are not the same thing.
• One common mistake that you should fix to reduce return errors.
• The two biggest return priorities.
• Crosscourt vs down-the-line vs lob returns.
• What to look for to determine your best return options.
• Members Only: How to handle variety - fast, slow, spin, flat, and weak 2nd serves.
• Members Only: How to cut your return errors from the deuce court.
• Members Only: A practice plan for improving your returns.

Become a Tennis Tribe Member to access the full episode.

Upcoming Camps & Trips:

• Dallas-Fort Worth Doubles Strategy Camp: August 15-16, 2026
• NYC Doubles Strategy Camp: September 3-4, 2026
• Rally Trip: US Open - September 4-7, 2026

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**Join the #1 Doubles Strategy Newsletter for Club Tennis Players**

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**Become a Tennis Tribe Member**
Tennis Tribe Members get access to premium video lessons, a monthly member-only webinar, doubles strategy Ebooks & Courses, exclusive discounts on tennis gear, and more.

• Learn More & Sign Up Here

**Other Free Doubles Content**

• Serve Strategy Cheatsheet
• Return Strategy Cheatsheet
• Serve Strategy 101 - Video Course

This AMA episode covers a variety of topics, including net position, formations, and strategy frameworks. A few of the lessons are from a tight mixed doubles match that I recently played, while the others are from Tennis Tribe Members.

1. When is I-formation a bad idea?
2. Why I recently told my partner to stand in two different positions on my return points.
3. When should the baseline player change something? (including how to handle inactive partners at net)
4. Members only: My backhand volley pops up and floats every time. How do I fix it?
5. Members only: How and when to add new strokes to your game. In this case, a semi-western forehand.
6. Members only: What to do against two tall players who rush the net.
7. Members only: The deuce court returner has a great crosscourt forehand. What should we do?

We only have 2 rooms left for the Rally Trip at the US Open!

If you're interested and want to sign up for the Doubles Camp from September 3-4, you can email me: will@thetennistribe.com.

If you're not a Tennis Tribe member and want this full episode, learn more and sign up here.

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**Join the #1 Doubles Strategy Newsletter for Club Tennis Players**

• New doubles strategy lessons weekly straight to your inbox

**Become a Tennis Tribe Member**
Tennis Tribe Members get access to premium video lessons, a monthly member-only webinar, doubles strategy Ebooks & Courses, exclusive discounts on tennis gear, and more.

• Learn More & Sign Up Here

**Other Free Doubles Content**

• Serve Strategy Cheatsheet
• Return Strategy Cheatsheet
• Serve Strategy 101 - Video Course

Greg Kusnierz is a mental performance coach who works with junior and adult tennis players seeking to play better under pressure. Most tennis coaches' and mental gurus' advice about nerves turns me off, but Greg's approach is practical and has actually helped my players on the court.

We discuss why every tennis player gets nervous and how to turn that energy into better decisions instead of tighter swings. We also share practical tools you can use between points so your match level looks more like your practice level.

• Why nerves show up for every human and how they look different across players
• What mental toughness means as a trainable skill, not a personality trait
• How to measure pressure
• The biggest misconceptions about nerves, pressure, and mental coaching
• Why “just play more matches” and “be positive” fail as advice
• How the Three R method helps you re-frame fast
• How changing your wording shifts your focus from outcomes to controllable actions
• The BFS between points reset: breathing, feel, statement
• Doubles specific advice: acknowledge your partner, ask questions, communicate under stress, be a cheerleader

Greg will be joining our US Open Rally Trip, where he'll present as a guest speaker. Early bird pricing is available through June 14!

Learn more about Greg & follow:

• Instagram
• YouTube

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**Join the #1 Doubles Strategy Newsletter for Club Tennis Players**

• New doubles strategy lessons weekly straight to your inbox

**Become a Tennis Tribe Member**
Tennis Tribe Members get access to premium video lessons, a monthly member-only webinar, doubles strategy Ebooks & Courses, exclusive discounts on tennis gear, and more.

• Learn More & Sign Up Here

**Other Free Doubles Content**

• Serve Strategy Cheatsheet
• Return Strategy Cheatsheet
• Serve Strategy 101 - Video Course