A hallmark of great doubles teams is their ability to serve-and-volley and attack the return of serve. Here is a drill that works on both of these skills.

One doubles team serves, the other receives. The server must serve-and-volley. The receiver must return cross-court and come in behind the return, joining her partner at net.  These are courtesy serves and returns.  Once the return is good, the two teams play out the point.

The server serves for 5 points, alternating as usual from deuce to ad side. After 5 points, the other team serves for 5 points. One round is when everyone has served once for 5 points. Have the students play several rounds. You can also keep track of the score to make it more competitive.

If you have more than 2 doubles teams, you can rotate one team in on the server or receiver end after each 5 point sequence. After one round, rotate the teams, making sure each team gets to serve-and-volley.

Once the teams can handle the serve and volley play comfortably, eliminate the courtesy serve and return.  The server serves for real and the returner returns for real from the get-go.  Change the format on this one.  Have one team serve for an entire game of 15 points.  Each player serves two points, alternating deuce and ad courts, and then her partner serves for two points, continuing this alternation until the game is over.  The first team to 15 points (win by 2) wins, and then the other team serves.

Again, with more than 4 players,  you can rotate in another team on the server side after each 2 points.

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