Mixed doubles: choose your next positions together
Walk through two situations, share the space and try both roles with your partner.
Start with a shared decision
In mixed doubles, a useful question is: after our shot, what space will each of us prepare to cover? The answer can change with the situation. For this first exercise, both players try the front and the back; nobody keeps a role because of their sex.
You will compare a front-and-back arrangement with a side-by-side arrangement. There are no rackets, shuttles or live rallies today. Walking through a decision gives you time to discuss it; playing it at rally speed will need another practice.
Set up two situations
Work in a group of three on a clear court. Two people form a pair on one side of the net. The third observes from outside the court, clear of the pair's route. Put all equipment aside, warm up gently and agree on a stop signal. Walk at a comfortable pace, without jumping or miming a swing.
The observer names a player and one of these situations:
- Net: that player has just played a tight net return, and the opponent will contact the shuttle below net height. Explore a front-and-back arrangement: the player who made the return prepares near the front, while the partner prepares behind.
- Lift: that player has just lifted high and deep from the front, and an opponent is ready to hit downwards. Explore a side-by-side defensive arrangement.
These are two stated examples, not a rule for every net shot or lift. Before moving, agree which space each player will take and check that your walking paths stay clear of each other. Do not walk backwards without checking behind you. If a route feels awkward, stop and choose another.
Try three rounds of four situations
For the first turn, call the two players A and B and the observer C. Reset between situations; they are separate examples, not a continuous rally.
- Four “net” situations. Alternate the player who made the imagined return: A, B, A, B. Each time, say who prepares near the front and who prepares behind, then walk to your chosen positions and stop. C checks that both players can explain their space.
- Four “lift” situations. Alternate the player who made the imagined lift: A, B, A, B. Agree who takes each side, walk into your side-by-side positions and stop. Left and right are seen from the pair facing the net. Leave room between you; matching your depth exactly is unnecessary.
- Four mixed situations, if comfortable. C announces “net, A”, “lift, B”, “lift, A”, then “net, B”. Discuss and walk after each announcement, with no speed target. C checks the arrangement against the stated situation and asks what each player expects to cover.
Then rotate: C takes A's place, A takes B's place and B observes. Repeat the rounds, then rotate once more and repeat. Everyone observes once and tries both playing roles; the third round stays optional each time. Pause whenever needed and stop if movement hurts.
Keep one useful agreement
Choose one example where the pair understood each other and one where the space was unclear. Each player names one area they were preparing to cover. Agree on one short cue to use next time.
Do not score this exercise. Explaining a position while walking does not show that you can reach the next shuttle in a rally. A later practice can add easy feeds with enough time and space to move safely.
General practice advice: play within your limits and stop if something hurts.