Introduction
Winning in pickleball doubles isn’t just about individual skill—it’s about strategy, teamwork, and smart decision-making. Unlike singles, where court coverage is the primary challenge, doubles play demands seamless coordination, clear communication, and strategic positioning to outmaneuver opponents. Successful teams don’t just react; they anticipate, control the net, and force errors.
In fact, over 60% of pickleball points are won at the net, making positioning and communication essential. That’s why reaching the kitchen, or Non-Volley Zone, is a top priority. Your opponents will do everything they can to keep you back, while your goal is to advance and establish control, neutralizing their attacks and dictating the pace of play.
Whether you’re a beginner looking to sharpen your skills or an experienced player aiming to dominate, mastering these doubles strategies will elevate your game. Let’s dive into the key tactics that will help you and your partner gain the upper hand on the court.
Understanding Court Positioning
Unlike tennis, the serving team in pickleball starts at a disadvantage due to the underhand serve requirement, which must be hit below the waist. Meanwhile, the receiving team has an advantage, as the non-receiving player can already be positioned at the kitchen line, ready to apply pressure. Because the third shot after the return must bounce, the serving team faces the challenge of advancing to the kitchen while under attack.
Controlling court positioning is essential in pickleball doubles, with the non-volley zone (kitchen line) being the most strategic area on the court. Teams that maintain control of this zone gain a significant advantage by cutting off angles and forcing opponents into difficult shots.
Players must also recognize when to use a side-by-side formation for balanced defense and when a staggered position is necessary, such as when one player is pushed back by a lob or deep shot.
An important concept in doubles strategy is shading, where partners move in sync with the ball to close gaps and prevent opponents from exploiting openings at the kitchen line. Proper shading ensures better court coverage and minimizes vulnerabilities.
Communication is equally critical, especially in deciding who takes the middle ball. Hesitation or overlapping can lead to costly errors, so teams should establish clear roles. Since most players are right-handed, the left-side player typically takes the middle shot, as it comes to their forehand, allowing for a stronger, more controlled return.
Top professionals emphasize verbal cues like “YOU” or “ME” to avoid confusion—Anna Bright, for instance, is known for loudly calling out assignments. Clear signals and an understanding of each player’s strengths help teams function as a cohesive unit. By mastering positioning, shading, and communication, doubles teams can maintain court control and keep their opponents on the defensive.
Serving & Return Strategies
A strong serve and return strategy is crucial for gaining the upper hand in pickleball doubles. One of the most effective tactics is hitting deep serves and returns, keeping opponents pinned back and making it harder for them to rush the net—where most points are won.
For a powerful and consistent serve, focus on proper mechanics: bend your knees, extend your arm straight, engage your hips and legs, and snap your wrist to generate maximum force. A deep return is just as critical, as it gives you and your partner time to move forward and take control of the kitchen.
When returning, you have two primary strategies. First, targeting the weaker player can set up an easier third shot for your team. Second, returning deep and down the middle is the safest option, as it cuts off angles, reduces the risk of opponents driving the ball down the line, and forces them into a controlled drop shot rather than an aggressive drive. A well-placed middle return can also cause confusion between opponents, increasing the chance of an unforced error.
After the return, the third shot is where strategy becomes crucial. You have two main options:
- The Third-Shot Drop – A soft shot landing in the kitchen to slow the game down and allow your team to move up.
- The Third-Shot Drive – A fast, aggressive shot aimed at catching opponents off guard, particularly useful against high, weak returns.
If your opponent hits a short or high return, driving the ball can apply pressure. If they hit a deep, well-placed return, a controlled drop shot is the better play to avoid giving them an easy putaway.
Of course, none of this matters if you’re giving away free points with unforced errors—hitting shots too short, driving into the net, or missing easy dinks. The key is to stay consistent, play smart, and make your opponents work for every point. By focusing on deep shots, strategic third-shot choices, and minimizing mistakes, you’ll develop a winning doubles strategy in no time.
Net Play & Attack Strategies
When you watch professional pickleball, you might notice all four players up at the net, lightly dinking the ball to one another. You may wonder why they aren’t attacking the ball more aggressively. The reason is simple: when you receive a good dink from your opponent, attempting to attack the ball often leads to mistakes, such as hitting it into the net or out of bounds.
Soft shots, like dinks, help maintain consistency, force errors, and set up opportunities for winners. Generally, you want to continue dinking when the ball is below the net.
As a beginner, the safest option is to dink crosscourt, as the diagonal angle gives you more room for error. One important practice is moving your opponent around the kitchen by alternating between wide shots, middle shots, and back to wide. If you land an aggressive dink and notice your opponents are out of position, seize the opportunity by extending your arm and taking the ball out of the air. This reduces their reaction time, putting even more pressure on them.
Knowing when to speed up the ball is just as critical—recognizing attack opportunities can catch your opponents off guard and shift the momentum in your favor. You should speed up the ball when you receive a “dead dink” (a weak, short dink) or a high bounce, especially if the opponent is out of position or not fully prepared. For example, when you’re dinking crosscourt and encounter a dead dink, speeding up the ball in front of you limits the opponent’s time to react.
However, when you attack the ball, be prepared for your opponents to counter, so always be ready to reset the ball or counterattack if they send a hard shot your way.
Advanced net strategies, such as poaching and Erne shots, add unpredictability and surprise. If you watch Ben and Collin Johns play, you’ll often see Ben covering 70% of the court and taking on the majority of the dink returns, while Collin focuses on his backhand side, covering the remaining 30%.
Once you reach an advanced level, your opponents will begin threatening with Ernes when you dink down the line. An Erne is when a player jumps from the kitchen and hits the ball from the outside of the court, often catching their opponents off guard. It’s one of my personal favorite shots! 🙂
Defensive Strategies & Counterplay
Equally important, if not more so, is having a solid defense in pickleball. I’ve lost to opponents in tournaments who weren’t necessarily aggressive but were able to execute consistent third-shot drops, reset the point, and make their way to the kitchen, ultimately winning at the net. Mastering the art of resetting the point is a crucial skill for neutralizing aggressive opponents and regaining control of fast-paced rallies.
A reset in the transition zone is one of the most important skills you can develop. No matter how fast or hard the opponent hits the ball, if you can consistently hit resets—whether it’s the 5th, 7th, or 9th— you can neutralize their momentum and regain control.
When facing powerful shots, effective blocking and countering are key to maintaining stability and turning defense into offense. A good rule of thumb is when the opponent hits a high ball, bend your knees, get your paddle low, and volley the ball if possible. Additionally, using lobs strategically can create space, disrupt your opponent’s positioning, and buy you time to recover.
James Ignatowich once shared on a podcast that even some pros have a 4.0-level overhead, so I like to lob the ball over their left shoulder when we’re in the kitchen to test their overhead skills. If they manage to smash it and we lose the point, that’s okay.
Tournament play is often about gathering information on your opponents—identifying their strengths and exploiting their weaknesses. Focus on using that data to exploit their vulnerabilities and gain an edge in the match.
Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them
Unforced errors are among the most common mistakes players make in pickleball. A typical error for beginners is either not advancing to the kitchen when they have the opportunity or rushing to the kitchen after hitting a high ball. When receiving a return that’s heading to your teammate, it’s crucial to observe your opponent.
If they hit a strong shot, you should move in and potentially crash the kitchen. However, if it’s a weak shot, stay back, bend your knees, and keep your paddle low for solid resets. (Checkout Pickleball Central for the latest and greatest paddles)
Targeting your opponent’s weaknesses is key, but being too predictable can give them an advantage. If you consistently hit the same shots—such as only dropping the ball crosscourt or always driving down the line—your opponents will catch on and adapt their strategy.
They may start poaching more frequently or be ready to attack with their two-handed backhand. Predictable play allows opponents to anticipate your moves and counter them effectively, diminishing your offensive options.
To avoid these pitfalls and maintain competitiveness, consistency is essential. Drilling specific shots 2–3 times a week will help you develop muscle memory and refine your technique, ensuring you’re ready for anything your opponents throw at you.
Conclusion
This is the strategy I wish I had known when I first started playing pickleball doubles. To recap, the key factors to winning more doubles games include solid communication, strong chemistry with your partner, and executing good serves, returns, and third shots. I highly encourage every player to dedicate time to drilling specific shots, as repetition is essential for improving your game.
In my upcoming posts, I’ll share what my own drilling sessions consist of, so you can start winning more recreational matches and, if tournaments are your goal, achieving success on that level too.
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