Pickleball Strategies for Doubles Play

Communicate, Communicate, Communicate!  

In pickleball doubles, teamwork isn’t just encouraged—it’s essential. Open lines of communication ensure you don’t both lunge for the same shot or, worse, leave the ball for each other to admire as it lands with a dull thud. Call “mine” or “yours” loud and clear, and if you’re feeling fancy, strategize your plays mid-game. 

Dominate the Kitchen  

Ahh, the kitchen—a.k.a. the no-volley zone. The goal is simple: get to the net, stay there, and dominate. Why? Because the best place to hit balls is at your opponent’s feet. The farther you are from the net, the more exposed your feet are. Up close, you can go on the offense with speed-ups, smashes, and putaways, making life hard for your opponents. Start by serving deep and returning the first volley before advancing toward the net as a team. A deep serve will increase the likelihood of a weak return from your opponents, making your all-important third shot much easier whether you decide to drop or drive. Make your third shot unattackable by landing it in the kitchen or below the net, then move forward to the no-volley zone. It takes some practice, but skilled players know that sometimes this process takes a few extra shots in the transition zone to safely make it to the line. Trying to rush the line often leads to errors, so move swiftly, but only when you’ve earned the right to do so safely. Remember, your position on the court is all about awareness; be ready to pounce but careful not to overstep.  

The One-Two Punch: Serve and Return  

Doubles play begins with a powerful serve and an equally strategic return. Serving deep pushes your opponents to the baseline, giving you more time to establish your position. When returning, aim for a deep, controlled shot to keep the serving team back, forcing them to travel farther to get to the kitchen. This could open up an opportunity to attack the opponent’s feet with your third shot. It’s great if you can place your return to a weaker opponent, but a tried-and-true strategy is to hit high-deep and down the middle. A higher return gives you precious extra seconds to get to the non-volley zone. If you are too aggressive with your return, you could be robbing yourself of time you need to close the distance to the line. An advanced returning strategy is to return your volley to the player you think is less likely to roam around and poach the fifth shot.

Third Shot Drop  

This is where the magic happens. The third shot drop is the quintessential doubles play. After the serve and return, a well-placed drop shot lands softly in your opponent’s kitchen, buying you time to advance to the net. It mixes finesse, precision, and a sprinkle of luck. Nail this shot, and you’ll turn defense into offense faster than you can say, “Pickleball rocks!”  It may sound difficult, but it’s really just an extra-long dink shot. Start by learning soft dinks right at the kitchen line and then work your way back one step at a time as you grow more proficient (similar to how basketball players learn layups before 3-pointers!)

Mastering the Middle 

The middle of the court offers an effective field for action, especially when pulled out wide. While shooting for your opponent’s sideline can be a good strategy (always aim at least a foot inside the sideline to avoid errors), trying to hit from sideline to sideline is a recipe for disaster. When pulled out wide with a sideline dink, aim to float the ball softly back into the middle of the non-volley zone to give yourself time to return to optimal position. Dinking to the middle works best if you can keep it shallow in the kitchen, making it difficult for your opponent to attack. Better yet, target your opponent’s backhand. Most players are less comfortable with their backhand, making it a strategic spot to exploit.  

Play Smart, Not Hard  

You don’t always need to hit the ball like you’re trying to send it into orbit. Precision often trumps power in doubles. Focus on placing the ball strategically rather than solely relying on hard hits. A well-placed dink can be more devastating than a smash, especially when it leaves your opponents scrambling like the last bargain-hunter at a doorbuster sale. Most pickleball games are won via error reduction. Reduce your unforced errors and watch your results improve. Remember: the net is undefeated. Get it over the net and give yourself a chance!  

Stay in Sync  

Good doubles teams move as a single unit. If your partner shifts left, you shift left. If they go forward, you follow. It’s okay to lag a bit behind, but moving in sync overall gives you better coverage. Think of it as an invisible bungee cord keeping you connected. This positioning ensures that you cover the court efficiently and avoid gaps where your opponents can sneak the ball through.   

Fun Comes First!  

When all is said and done, pickleball is all about having a good time. Celebrate the big points, laugh off the occasional misstep, and enjoy the camaraderie with your partner. A positive attitude not only keeps your spirits high but can also throw off opponents who thrive on tension.