At higher levels of doubles play, the receiver knows where the server is likely to serve before the point starts. This isn't a problem because most top players use the same serving strategy to make returning more defensive than offensive. At the recreational level, you have more options because your opponents don't have world-class strokes.
Basic Strategy
Whether you stay back or serve and volley, it's a good idea to hit most of your serves down the middle. Serving wide opens up a return down your partner's alley. If your partner covers this shot, she is not a threat to poach, taking pressure off the returner. A wide serve also opens up the short, cross-court angle, making it difficult for you to serve and volley. Serving down the middle, even to a forehand, forces your opponent to hit a more difficult inside-out return to avoid your net partner.
Serving Wide
Depending on your opponent's skill level, a wide serve can be an effective strategy for doubles. Particularly on the backhand side, recreational players don't rotate their shoulders enough, making it difficult to go down the line or hit a powerful shot.
Australian or I Formation
If one opponent is causing you problems with an offensive return, try using an Australian or I formation. With an Australian formation, your partner stands at the net on the same side of the court as you do. For example, if you are serving to the deuce court, your partner stands to the right of the net strap, in the deuce court. With the I formation, your partner stands at the net directly in front of you or very near the net strap on your side of the court. The key to these formations is pre-point communication between partners, so each of you knows which way the other will break and which side of the court each of you will cover.
Serving down the middle when playing with these formations takes away the open alley shot. Serving wide to a backhand makes the down-the-line alley shot difficult for many recreational players.
Serve and Volley
A basic tenet of doubles is that the team that takes the net first, wins. To get to the net during your service points, serve and volley. It's critical that you make your split step before your opponent hits the ball so you can cover both a cross-court return or lob over your partner.
High First-serve Percentage
Your opponents will be more offensive on your second serve, and your partner becomes a target when you put weaker serves in play. Your partner is less likely to poach on second serves, decreasing pressure on your opponents. Take speed off your serve if necessary to get more first serves in during doubles, especially on key points.
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