How to Play Doubles Pickleball Effectively: Strategies and Tips for Team Success

Pickleball doubles is a fast-paced, exciting version of the game where teamwork, strategy, and communication are key to success. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, mastering the art of playing doubles will elevate your game and help you dominate the court. In this guide, we’ll explore strategies and tips to help you and your partner play doubles pickleball effectively.

1. Communicate Constantly

One of the most important elements of successful doubles play is communication. You and your partner should be in constant communication, especially during fast rallies. Here are some key communication points:

Call your shots: If you're going for the ball, say "Mine!" or "Got it!" This prevents confusion and ensures no ball is left unattended.

Discuss strategy: Before the match and between points, talk about where to place the ball, target weaknesses, or adjust positioning.

Encourage each other: Keep the energy positive. Celebrate good shots and support each other after mistakes.

2. Master the “Third Shot Drop"

The third shot drop is a crucial shot in pickleball doubles. After the serve and return, the third shot drop involves hitting a soft, controlled shot that lands in your opponents' non-volley zone (kitchen). This shot allows you and your partner to move up to the net and take control of the game. Here’s how to perfect it:

Aim to land the ball softly at your opponents’ feet, forcing them to hit upward, giving you an advantage at the net.

Practice controlling the pace and height of the ball to avoid hitting it too high, which can be easily attacked.

3. Play Pickleball as a Unit

Doubles pickleball is about covering the court together. Moving in sync with your partner and covering gaps is key. Follow these tips for positioning:

Move side-to-side together: If the ball is hit to your left, both you and your partner should shift left to cover the court evenly.

Cover the middle: The area down the middle of the court is often a prime target for opponents. Decide in advance which player will take balls down the middle.

Avoid “poaching” without a plan: Poaching is when one player moves over to take their partner’s shot. It can be an effective strategy, but only if it’s communicated beforehand to avoid confusion.

4. Dominate at the Net

Winning in doubles pickleball often comes down to controlling the net. The closer you are to the net, the better you can take advantage of high balls and put pressure on your opponents. Here's how to play effectively at the net:

Get to the net early: After the third shot drop, move up to the net with your partner to maintain offensive control.

Use volleys and dinks: Mix up your shots with volleys (hitting the ball before it bounces) and dinks (soft shots into the kitchen) to keep your opponents guessing.

Avoid popping the ball up: When dinking or volleying, be cautious not to hit the ball too high, which gives your opponents an opportunity to smash it back.

5. Vary Your Shot Placement

Good doubles strategy involves keeping your opponents off balance by varying your shot placement. Here's how to strategically place your shots:

Hit to the weaker player: If one player is less consistent or weaker than the other, target them to force errors.

Exploit gaps: Pay attention to your opponents’ positioning and hit into gaps between them or down the middle.

Use angles: Sharp angled shots can force opponents out of position, opening up opportunities for you and your partner to attack.

6. Serve and Return with Purpose

While it may seem like the serve and return are just a way to start the point, they can set the tone for the entire rally. Here are some tips:

Serve deep: A deep serve pushes your opponent further back, making it harder for them to get to the net quickly.

Return low and deep: A low, deep return forces your opponent to hit up, giving you and your partner time to move to the net.

7. Stay Calm Under Pressure

Doubles pickleball can be intense, especially when the points are close. Staying calm and composed is essential to playing your best under pressure. Here are a few mental strategies to help:

Breathe and reset: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath and focus on the next point.

Focus on fundamentals: In high-pressure moments, concentrate on your form and technique rather than trying to hit a perfect shot.

Work as a team: When things get tough, rely on your partner for support and stay positive.

8. Practice, Practice, Practice

Finally, the best way to improve your doubles play is through practice. Focus on drills that improve your communication, positioning, and shot accuracy. Work on specific strategies with your partner, like the third shot drop or net play, to develop a winning formula.

Final Thoughts

Doubles pickleball is all about working as a cohesive team, utilizing smart strategy, and maintaining solid communication. By following these tips and strategies, you and your partner can play more effectively and win more matches. Whether you’re aiming to dominate at your local pickleball courts or preparing for tournament play, these fundamentals will help you take your doubles game to the next level!

Be sure to practice with intention and keep building that chemistry with your partner—teamwork truly makes the dream work in pickleball doubles.

Check out our blog post Cross-Training for Pickleball for additional discussion on cross-training to elevate your pickleball game even more!!