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In doubles tennis, players often use hand signals to communicate strategy when planning points12. The hand signals are made by the net player and are used to indicate where the server will hit their serve to (directional signal) and where the net player will move to (movement signal)12.
Serve Direction Hand Signals2:
- Wide Serve: On the deuce side, a pinky finger indicates a serve out wide as it points away from the court. On the advantage side, it will be your thumb that suggests a wide serve2.
- Body Serve: The signal for a body serve down the middle of the service box is the same on both sides and is just indicated using your middle finger2.
- T-Serve: The signal for a T-serve varies from one side of the court to another. On the deuce side, it’s indicated by a thumb pointing to the middle of the court. On the ad side, it’s the pinky finger2.
Net Player’s Movement Signals2:
- Stay: A closed fist means “STAY” and suggests that the net player is going to remain where they are and cover the tramline2.
- Poach: An open hand means “GO / POACH” and suggests that the net player is going to be aggressive and look to poach off of the return shot by attacking the middle (leaving the tramline exposed)2.
Just keep in mind that hand signals can vary from one player to another2. Most right-handed players will often use their left hand for signaling, while some may use their right hand2. That might make hand signals look a little different, so it’s always worth checking what each signal means with your partner before you start the match2.
Here are some videos that explain the importance of the non-dominant hand in tennis:
- Role of The Non-Dominant Arm in Tennis: This video explains the role of the non-dominant arm in tennis3.
- [One-Handed Backhand Tip: Role Of The Non-Dominant Hand in Tennis]: This video provides a detailed explanation of the role of the non-dominant hand in a one-handed backhand.
Remember, the non-dominant hand is not just a passive participant in your tennis strokes. It plays an active role in maintaining balance, generating power, and controlling the direction of your shots23. Happy playing! 🎾