A Guide To Pickleball Strategy Doubles

With its fun, fast-paced rallies and easy-to-learn rules, pickleball is a game that anyone can pick up. But mastering it, especially in doubles, takes smart strategies and teamwork. 

Whether you're a beginner or looking to take your game to the next level, understanding how to play and win in pickleball doubles is key. In this guide, we’ll cover the basic rules of doubles play and smart pickleball strategy doubles to outplay your opponents.

Understanding the Rules of Pickleball Doubles

Pickleball doubles has unique rules compared to singles. Each team has two players who must work together and communicate well. Only one player starts serving, using an underhand motion across the court. 

After scoring, the server switches sides and continues until both players lose their serve, leading to a "side out." Only the serving team can score points, and games are typically played to 11, win by 2. 

The two-bounce rule requires the ball to bounce once on each side before volleys are allowed. Players must also avoid volleying in the non-volley zone, or “kitchen,” unless the ball bounces there first.

Pickleball Doubles Strategies to Win More Games

Now that you know the basic rules, it’s time to talk about winning. Doubles pickleball requires proper positioning, patience, and teamwork. Here are the best strategies to help you dominate the court:

1. Control the Net Together

In doubles, controlling the net is one of the most powerful advantages. Being near the net gives you better angles, allows you to react quickly, and makes it harder for your opponents to hit winning shots past you. 

After the serve and return, it's important to move forward to the kitchen line as soon as the two-bounce rule has been satisfied. You and your partner should move up together and stay side-by-side at the net. 

If one player hangs back while the other is at the net, it creates gaps and opens up angles that your opponents can exploit. Working as a unit at the net gives you a strong defensive and offensive position.

2. Use the “Third Shot Drop”

The third shot drop is a soft shot hit by the serving team after the return, designed to land in the kitchen and give the serving team a chance to move up to the net. Instead of hitting the ball back with power, the goal is to gently drop it into the non-volley zone. 

This slows down the pace of the game and creates an opportunity for both players to advance and establish a strong position at the net. Mastering the third shot drop takes practice, but it’s one of the most important and effective skills to have in pickleball doubles.

3. Communicate Constantly

Good communication makes great doubles teams. You and your partner should always talk about who is taking the ball by calling out phrases like “Mine!” or “Yours!” during play. 

It’s also important to discuss positioning throughout rallies and coordinate on serving and return strategies to stay aligned. 

Even non-verbal cues, like eye contact and hand signals, can be incredibly helpful in keeping things smooth. Clear and consistent communication helps avoid confusion, builds trust, and makes your team more efficient on the court.

4. Stacking and Switching

Stacking in pickleball is a strategy where both players start on the same side of the court to keep a strong player on their preferred side, usually to take advantage of a dominant forehand in the middle. 

After the serve or return, one player quickly switches sides to get into the correct position. This tactic can give your team an edge, especially if one player has stronger shot control or better mobility. 

Stacking requires good coordination and quick movement, but when executed properly, it offers a valuable positional advantage that can help you control the pace and direction of the game.

5. Target the Weaker Opponent

In many matches, one player may be less consistent than the other, and it’s a smart strategy to direct more shots their way. Targeting their backhand, keeping them constantly moving, and applying steady pressure can lead to unforced errors and missed opportunities on their part. 

This approach isn’t about being unsportsmanlike, it’s about playing with strategy and making thoughtful decisions that increase your chances of winning.

6. Play Smart, Not Fast

It’s tempting to hit the ball hard, but pickleball doubles rewards patience and precision over brute strength. Power shots can easily go out of bounds or set up your opponent for an easy block. Instead, focus on dinking. 

Be patient and wait for the right moment to attack, such as when your opponent sends a pop-up or a high ball. In doubles, the team that makes fewer mistakes usually comes out on top, not necessarily the one that hits the hardest.

7. Deep Returns: Push Your Opponents Back

A deep return means hitting the ball so it lands close to your opponents’ baseline (the back of the court). This is one of the simplest yet most effective strategies in doubles. 

By hitting a deep return, you push your opponents further away from the net. This gives you and your partner time to move forward and take control of the kitchen line (the non-volley zone).

Think of it like chess: the deeper your return, the less time your opponent has to plan their next move. This keeps them on the defensive and prevents them from setting up an easy attack. When practicing, aim for depth rather than speed, and avoid floating the ball too high where your opponents can smash it.

8. Attack the Middle of the Court

When in doubt, hit to the middle! Attacking the middle of the court is one of the smartest strategies in doubles pickleball because it creates confusion between opponents. When the ball goes right between them, both players might hesitate or go for it at the same time.

Besides causing miscommunication, aiming for the middle also reduces your risk of hitting the ball out of bounds. It’s especially useful when you’re at the kitchen line; a firm, low shot to the middle can force your opponents to pop the ball up, setting you up for an easy putaway shot.

9. Defensive and Offensive Strategies and Positioning

Pickleball doubles is all about teamwork and positioning. On defense, the key is to stay patient and keep the ball in play. When you’re pushed back near the baseline, use soft shots (like dinks or drop shots) to reset the rally and move forward again. 

Keep your paddle up, stay side-by-side with your partner, and communicate constantly so you can cover the court efficiently.

On offense, your goal is to take control of the kitchen line. Once you’re up front, you can put pressure on your opponents by keeping the ball low, targeting their feet, or mixing up shots to force errors. The best doubles teams move when one player steps forward or backward, the other mirrors the movement to maintain solid court coverage.

10. Make Better Strategies and Decisions

Smart decision-making is what separates good players from great ones. In doubles, you’re coordinating every move with your partner. This means reading your opponents’ patterns, predicting where the next shot will go, and choosing the best response.

For example, if your opponents struggle with backhand shots, target that weakness. If they leave gaps in the middle, take advantage of it. Good strategies also involve adapting — if one tactic isn’t working, switch it up! Maybe slow down the game with more dinks or use lobs to change the pace.

Most importantly, communicate. Talk with your partner before each point about where to serve, who will take the middle shots, and how you’ll handle returns. When both players think as one, every rally becomes smoother, more controlled, and more enjoyable.

Win Pickleball Doubles With This Strategy!

Mastering pickleball doubles requires not only a solid understanding of the game’s rules but also the ability to apply smart strategies that keep you and your partner one step ahead. 

Every aspect of the game can make a significant impact on your performance. For those looking to enhance their skills even further, Rockstar Academy offers a qualified pickleball class. As the number 1 Sport & Performing Arts Academy program, Rockstar Academy provides expert coaching and a supportive environment to help you reach your full potential. 

Our pickleball program at Rockstar Academy doesn’t just focus on teaching the fundamentals but also gives students the opportunity to put their skills to the test by participating in exciting competitions like RockOlympics and the Elite Championships. 

These events help boost confidence, encourage sportsmanship, and allow students to experience the thrill of competitive play. To help you get started, we also offer a free trial class, so you can experience the fun and energy of our program before making a commitment. 

It’s a great way to see if pickleball is the right fit for you in a supportive and engaging environment!

FAQ

Can both players serve in doubles?

Yes, after the first service turn of the game (where only one player serves), both teammates on each side get a chance to serve before the serve goes to the opposing team.

Where should I stand when my partner is serving?

Stand just behind the baseline or slightly to the side, ready to move forward after the third shot. Make sure you’re not in the way of your partner’s serve.

How do I know when to poach?

Poach when you see a predictable, weak return headed toward the middle and your partner is too far to react. Poaching requires anticipation and fast reflexes.