For some, pickleball in doubles is more fun. However, a team needs to have a good strategy to perform well. Here is the best pickleball doubles strategy.

Do you sometimes feel your pickleball partner, or you, are letting the team down?

By getting to the non-volley line after the return of serve, hitting drop shots, pinning your opponents to the baseline, hitting at the feet of your opponents, serving with depth, and moving together, you and your partner can up the performance of your team in a significant manner.

I have detailed each step and aspect of the strategy to help you and your partner get better at the sport.

Personally, I enjoy playing pickleball in doubles more than in singles. The below-mentioned strategy has worked for my partner and me incredibly well. Almost all of the points in this strategy have been endorsed by professional pickleball players as well.

Best Pickleball Doubles Strategy

One of the most important aspects of playing pickleball is having a good doubles strategy. In this article, we will go over some of the best ways to approach playing pickleball doubles.

The first thing to understand is that in pickleball doubles, you and your partner are working together as a team. This means that you need to communicate well with each other and be on the same page about your game plan.

It is also important to remember that you are playing against two opponents, so you need to be aware of their positioning and what they are trying to do at all times.

A good way to start developing a pickleball doubles strategy is by using the court wisely. The court is divided into three sections: the kitchen, the no-volley zone, and the baseline. The kitchen is the area closest to the net and is a great place to set up your shots.

The no-volley zone is a 7-foot area around the net where players are not allowed to hit volleys. This area is often referred to as "the danger zone" because it can be very difficult to get the ball past your opponents if they are positioned well in this area.

The baseline is the back of the court and is typically where players hit their strongest shots.

One of the most important aspects of pickleball doubles strategy is shot selection. You and your partner need to decide who is going to hit what shots and when.

For example, one player may be better at hitting forehands while the other is better at hitting backhands. It is important to communicate with each other and make sure you are both hitting the shots that you are best at.

Another important aspect of the pickleball doubles strategy is positioning. You and your partner need to be aware of where your opponents are at all times and adjust your positions accordingly.

For example, if one of your opponents is constantly hitting the ball to your backhand, you may want to move closer to the center of the court, so they have to hit it further back to get past you.

By following these tips, you can develop a strong pickleball doubles strategy that will help you and your partner win more games.

Get to the Line of Non-Volley Following the Return of Serve

One of the most important aspects of pickleball strategy is getting to the Non-Volley Line (NVL) after the return-of-serve. This is because, from this position, you and your partner will be able to control the game better. Here are some tips on how to get to the NVL as quickly and efficiently as possible:

• As soon as the ball is hit back over the net, start moving towards the NVL.
• Try to stay low and close to the ground as you move – this will help you cover more ground more quickly.
• When you reach the NVL, take up a ready stance so that you can immediately start playing volleys with your partner.

Following these simple tips, you and your partner will be in a much better position to control the game and ultimately win the point. So next time you're playing pickleball, make sure to get to the NVL as quickly as possible!

Learn to Hit Drop Shots

One way to win in pickleball doubles is to hit drop shots. A drop shot is when you hit the ball lightly so that it falls just over the net and then bounces near your opponent's feet. This can be not easy to do, but if done correctly, it can be an effective strategy. Here are some tips on how to hit drop shots in pickleball doubles:

• Use a light grip on your paddle. This will help you control the ball better.
• Aim for the center of the court. This will give you the most time to react to your opponent's return.
• Hit the ball softly. The goal is to make the ball just clear the net and then bounce near your opponent's feet.
• Follow through with your swing. This will help ensure that you make contact with the ball in the center of your paddle.

By following these tips, you can learn how to hit drop shots as a strategy for pickleball doubles. Drop shots can be difficult to execute, but they can be an effective way to win points and matches.

Pin your Opponents to the Baseline

When playing pickleball doubles, it is important to pin your opponents to the baseline. This will allow you to control the game and make it easier to score points. There are several ways to do this:

• Use cross court shots: Cross court shots are difficult for your opponents to return and will pin them to the baseline.
• Attack the net: By attacking the net, you force your opponents to stay back and defend. This will make it difficult for them to mount an offensive.
• Keep the ball in play: It is important to keep the ball in play and not make mistakes. If you can do this, your opponents will be forced to stay back and defend.

By using these strategies, you can pin your opponents to the baseline and control the game.

Hit at Your Opponent’s Feet

When playing pickleball doubles, it can be beneficial to target your opponents’ feet. This strategy can help you keep the ball in play and put your opponents on the defensive.

There are a few things to keep in mind when using this strategy. First, you will need to have good aim and control. Second, you will need to be aware of your surroundings and know where your teammates are so you don’t accidentally hit them with the ball. Finally, you will need to be prepared for your opponents to adjust their own game plan in response to this strategy.

If executed correctly, hitting at your opponents' feet can be an effective way to win points and take control of the game. Give it a try the next time you're playing pickleball doubles, and see how it works for you!

Serve with More Depth

When playing pickleball doubles, it is important to serve with more depth in order to give your team an advantage. This means that the ball should land closer to the backline, which makes it more difficult for the opposing team to return. By using this strategy, you can put your team in a better position to win the point.

There are a few things to keep in mind when serving with more depth. First, you need to make sure that you have enough power on your shot. If the ball doesn’t have enough velocity, it will not travel far enough and will be easily returned by the other team.

Second, you need to use spin when possible. A topspin or backspin serve will make it more difficult for the opposing team to return the ball. Finally, you need to make sure that you hit your target. If you serve the ball too close to the sidelines, your opponent will have an easier time returning it.

By following these tips, you can improve your chances of winning points when playing pickleball doubles. Serve with more depth and give your team the advantage.

Don’t Stand Too Close to the Baseline when Returning Serves

One of the most important aspects of pickleball is being able to return the ball consistently. In doubles play, it is especially important to have a good return game, as this can help keep your team in the point and ultimately win more games.

One strategy that can be used when returning serves is not to stand too close to the baseline. This may seem counterintuitive, but by standing further back, you will have more time to react to the serve and make a better return. Additionally, standing closer to the baseline makes it easier for your opponents to hit an angled shot or lob over your head, so it is best to avoid this position if possible.

While there are no hard and fast rules about where you should stand when returning serves, try to experiment with different positions and see what works best for you. Ultimately, the goal is to make it as difficult as possible for your opponents to win the point, so find a position that allows you to do just that.

If you are looking for an edge in your pickleball game, try using this strategy the next time you return serves. You may be surprised at how well it works!

Return the Serve as Deep as Possible

In pickleball doubles, it is important to return the serve as deep as possible. This will give your team time to get into position and make it difficult for the other team to put together an attack.

There are a few different ways to return the serve deep. One way is to hit the ball straight down the middle of the court. Another way is to hit it to the back corner. Both of these options will make it difficult for the other team to set up an attack.

If you are able to return the serve deep consistently, it will put a lot of pressure on the other team and force them to make mistakes. This is a great strategy for winning points and games in pickleball doubles.

Communicate when Returning Shots Hit Down the Middle

In pickleball doubles, it is important to communicate with your partner about the direction of your shots. When returning a shot that has been hit down the middle, you should call out "down the middle" to let your partner know where the ball is going. This will help them be in the right position to make a return.

If you are not able to return a shot that has been hit down the middle, you should let your partner know by calling out "out." This will let them know that they need to move up to the front of the court to prepare for the next shot.

By communicating with your partner, you can ensure that you are both in the right position to make returns and win points.

Move Together

One of the most important aspects of playing pickleball doubles is working together as a team. This means moving together on the court and being in sync with your partner.

There are a few things you can do to make sure you and your partner are moving together properly. First, always communicate with each other. Let your partner know where you plan on moving so they can be prepared. Second, try to stay on the same side of the court as much as possible.

This will help you cover more ground and make it easier to defend against your opponents' shots. Finally, watch each other's back and be ready to help out if needed.

If you and your partner can master the art of moving together, you'll be one step closer to becoming a great pickleball team.

Be Patient

One of the most important aspects of pickleball is patience. Patience is key when playing doubles, as it allows you to wait for the right opportunity to make a winning shot. By being patient, you and your partner can stay calm and collected, which will help you make smarter shots and avoid making mistakes.

If you find yourself getting impatient when playing pickleball doubles, try to take a deep breath and count to ten. This will help you clear your head and focus on the game. Remember, the goal is to have fun and enjoy the game, so don't let impatience ruin your good time.