Two lefties playing doubles

[Ayrshire Tiger]

First post so be kind! I've done some googling and bought the new book Table Tennis Doubles for Champions but I'm looking for advice on how two lefties can best play at doubles. As background both my partner and I have Parkinson's but over the last few months she has switched successfully from playing right handed to left handed due to symptoms affecting her right arm. I am naturally left handed. Last year we won gold in the mixed doubles at the Scottish Parkinson's International Open as a lefty/righty team. This year in August we will be defending our title as a lefty/lefty partnership! We've been practicing on and off over the last few weeks but would welcome any tips especially on positioning when serving or receiving.
Thanks
Steve Morley
Ayrshire Tiger Blog

 

[Ultravisitor]

Lefty lefty is really disadvantageous. You have to end the Rally quickly, because it's easy to abuse that setup during service. It's likely you'll be caught out of position if the rally goes on.
So 3rd Ball attacks and good serves are most important.

 

[Ayrshire Tiger]

Thank you, I feared that was the case! No long rallies then! ;-)

 

[Ultravisitor]

If one of you is backhand dominant its not as bad, most lefties I know are fh dominant so the statement above may not be true

 

[NextLevel]

Also is a challenge depending in whether the stronger side is backhand or forehand. But depending on that, I would look into practicing serves that best set up your opponent's handedness. It's tremendous to play sports with Parkinsons, much respect to you for what you do.

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

watch Mizutani + Niwa at Tokyo Olympics

 

[NextLevel]

watch Mizutani + Niwa at Tokyo Olympics

Belgium and Denmark I believe sometimes play lefties doubles teams as well.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

with good footwork, left x 2 is the same as right x 2.
left can serve full fh and attack service return both fh and bh

there is just not many left x 2, so it looks funny.
most train right + left or right x 2.
its the training that counts and if you train left x 2, it isn't impossible.

funny, most lefty i know, have strong bh.

 

[Ayrshire Tiger]

Thanks all, very much appreciated!

If anyone iscinterested here's a couple of blogs i wrote about last year's Scottish Parkinson's International Open:

A Gold Medal At Last!

What a fantastic weekend! I have been looking forward to the inaugural Scottish Parkinson’s International Open for quite a while so it was good to arrive at the National Sports Training Centr…

wp.me

15 Minutes Of Fame…

Just a quick post to highlight the excellent Table Tennis Scotland Report about the recent Scottish Parkinson’s International Open. North Ayrshire Table Tennis Club also published an update o…

wp.me