🎾 Beach Tennis

Serve: numbering and positioning

AttackFlat
🎬Video coming soon

In doubles, a serve is not just a shot — it’s an agreement: your partner must know in advance where the ball is going.

Serve numbering

Agree on simple numbers with your partner and signal them with fingers behind your back before serving:

  1. One — down the middle, into the “conflict” zone between the opponents.
  2. Two — out wide to the sideline, stretching the receiver.
  3. Three — into the receiver’s body.

Serve numbering zones

Diagram: the server (teal, bottom) and the three serve zones; the net partner is already shifted toward the serve side.

The number tells your partner where the return will come from — they take position in advance instead of reacting at the last moment.

Positioning at the serve

  • The server stands behind the baseline, close to the center mark — it’s easier to cover your half after the serve.
  • The partner stands at the net, shifted toward the side the serve is going to.

Right after the serve

  • The server steps into the court and covers their diagonal.
  • The pair moves together: serve out wide — both shift toward the sideline; serve down the middle — both squeeze to the center.

Pros

  • Your partner knows in advance where the return will come from — no panic reactions
  • The serve turns from just putting the ball in play into the start of an attack
  • Three numbers cover 90% of game situations — easy to remember

Cons

  • Predictable numbers get read by opponents within a few games
  • Needs discipline: forget to signal and the pair moves out of sync
  • Strong wind can ruin the intended direction

Tips

  • Signal the number with fingers behind your back before taking your stance
  • Vary the numbers more when you're ahead — it's easier to take risks
  • Don't stand still after serving: step into the court and cover your diagonal