Doubles positioning is not a place

“Where should I stand?” It is one of the most common questions players ask in doubles, and it is very tempting to answer it by pointing to a spot on the court. Stand here when your partner serves. Move there when the return goes cross-court. Follow the ball. Protect the middle. We may even use cones to give players a clearer picture of the correct position, and for a short while the court looks organised. The problem is that a position is only correct in relation to what is happening around...