What do hand signals mean in Wimbledon doubles?
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Doubles players can use a variety of hand signals to communicate with their playing partner during matches.
Before a serve, the net player on the serving side can indicate to the server how they should play the shot by making a signal behind their back obscured from view of the opposition.
While there are no set rules for what signals are used, there are typically three different ways to indicate the suggested direction of shot, and two to indicate what direction the net player will move in once it has been played.
The server can vocally indicate agreement with the net player, but they do not have to go along with their suggestion.
In this case, they can vocally suggest the net player changes their signal until an agreement is reached.
Right-handed players will typically use their free left hand to signal, and vice versa.
The net player will usually indicate serve direction first, followed by the movement signal.
So what do the signals mean?
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Signalling to your doubles partner can be an efficient way to decide tactics
What are directional signals?
While exact signals can vary between teams, there are three commonly used signs when planning direction of serve.
The three options for serve direction are:
Wide serve - aimed to the outer edge of the opposition service box
Body serve - aimed towards the opposition player in the middle of the service box
T-serve - aimed directly down the centre line or 'T' of the opposition service box
The signals used for each will vary, depending on whether the serve is coming from the deuce side (the right-hand side of the court from the server's perspective) or the advantage (left hand) side.
The following are for right-handed players who are using their left hand to signal:
Wide serve from deuce side - little finger pointing down, to indicate the outside of the court
Wide serve from advantage side - thumb pointing down, to indicate the outside of the court
Body serve - middle finger pointing down, to indicate straight at the opposition in the middle of the service box
T-serve from deuce side - thumb pointing to the side, to indicate the middle of the court
T-serve from advantage side - little finger pointing to the side, to indicate the middle of the court
What are movement signals?
There are two commonly used signals for indicating intended direction of movement after a serve.
The two options for net player movement are:
Poach - the net player will attempt to move to the other half of the court after the serve
Stay - the net player will remain in their half of the court after the serve
These movements are signalled by:
Poach - open hand
Stay - closed fist
Why use hand signals?
Players will not usually have time to verbally confer with each other during a match, meaning hand signals can be an efficient and clear way of deciding tactics.
They are also performed fully hidden from view of the opponents, reducing the chance of strategy being revealed.
Decisions on direction and movement can also be changed in the last second up to a serve, allowing for quick adaptation and catching opponents off guard.
This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.
