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There are two simple ideas that you can use to help keep you out of trouble with your shot placement in doubles.

It isn’t complicated at all — here it is!

If you are hitting — level or upward — from the back court, play the ball to the point of least resistance. That means:

1. Drive the ball toward the player who is farthest back from the net on the opposing team.

2. If both players are in the front court near the net lift a lob over the player nearest the net.

3. If they are both the same distance from the net in the kill zone then lob it over the shortest player.

On the other hand if you are near the net and you get a ball you can play — decisively downward — be sure to move quickly forward and play the ball sharply at the player with the least reaction time.

These simple concepts appear to me to be lost on the average player, but are the fundamental behaviors that all top players worship.

Number 1 — don’t let them hit it down at you and number 2 — when you get the chance hit it down at them.

If you combine those two ideas with a constant effort to move toward the net when ever logic allows you to do so safely, you are on your way to becoming a doubles player rather than someone who plays doubles.

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Howie Burnett is a member of the United States Professional Tennis Association and tennis director at the Island Country Club on Marco Island. Burnett welcomes questions on strokes, tactics or etiquette. To reach him, call the tennis shop at 394-4464 or e-mail him at islandclubtennis@hotmail.com.