Pickleball Doubles Strategy: 9 Ways to Win Your Game

When playing pickleball doubles, it’s essential to have a strategy. You and your partner need to be in sync and know what each of you will do when the ball hits you.

One thing to remember is that you should always be in a position to hit the ball. This means you shouldn’t be too far back or too far forward but rather stay in the middle of the court. If you are too far back, you won’t be able to hit the ball before it goes out of bounds; if you are too far forward, you will have a hard time hitting it over the net.

However, this article is about the pickleball doubles strategy guide. It covers all the tactics to win at doubles, and when you have played well, you can practice more to play at a high level.

9 Best Pickleball Doubles Strategies

1- Non-Volley Line Strategy

When playing pickleball doubles, one of the most important things to remember is to stay in your non-volley zone (NVZ). The NVZ is the area in front of the net and behind the baseline. This zone is critical because you can only volley the ball if you are in this zone. If outside your NVZ, you cannot volley the ball and must hit it back with a groundstroke. 

There are different strategies that you can use when playing in your volley zone.

One strategy is to stay near the middle of your NVZ. This will allow you to hit groundstrokes on both sides of the court. Another strategy is to stay toward the back of your NVZ. This will allow you to hit volleys, which can be effective if your opponent hits a lot of groundstrokes.

2 – Consistently Serve Deep to Backhands & in the Court

Serving is key in pickleball doubles. A consistent serve that lands deep in the court and forces the other team to hit a backhand will help you win more points.

Additionally, serving near the sidelines will keep your opponents from hitting crosscourt shots. Keep an eye on your opponent’s positioning so you can serve accordingly.

3- Pushing the Opponent Team Back from the Non-Volley Line

Pickleball doubles can be very strategic, especially when pushing your opponent’s team back from the non-volley line. There are a few key things to remember when trying to achieve this.

• First, ensure you are positioned well on the court, with one player up near the net and the other in the backcourt. 
• This will help you control the ball and keep your opponent’s team from getting too close to the net.
• Use your shots wisely and keep the ball in play as much as possible. This will frustrate your opponents and eventually wear them down. 
• Finally, be patient and stay focused. Pushing your opponent team back from the non-volley line takes time and patience, so don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t happen right away.

4 – Aim for Holes

The best strategy is to aim for the other team’s holes. Holes are the areas on the other side of the net that are easiest to hit. If you can hit your opponents’ holes, they will have difficulty returning the ball. In addition, aiming for holes can help you keep your opponents guessing where you will hit next.

5 – Watch the Pickleball and Hit the Pickleball Out in Front

Doubles’ pickleball strategy is all about positioning. You want to be in an excellent spot to hit the ball and defend against your opponent’s shots. Watching the pickleball and hitting it out in front of you is essential when playing doubles.

If you are at the net, try to stay towards the middle to reach either side. If your opponent hits a shot to your left, step over to your right and hit the pickleball back. If they hit it to your right, step over to your left and return the ball.

If you are playing at the back of the court, try not to stay in one spot. Move around so you can hit the ball in different directions. If your opponent hits a shot straight at you, move forward and hit it back.

6 – Drop-shot Strategy

The drop shot can often be the most effective way to get the ball past your opponent and into the desired spot on the court. This is because a well-executed drop-shot will make your opponent move closer to the net to try and get in position to hit it back, opening up space behind them for you and your partner to hit balls into.

Here are some tips on how to execute a successful drop-shot:

1) When positioning yourself for a drop-shot, ensure you are close enough to the net to reach it easily but also far enough back so your opponent has difficulty hitting it.

2) Take a step or two forward before hitting the ball to generate more power and angle on your shot.

7 – Hitting on Feet at the Level of Opponent

In doubles play, working together as a team is the key to success. One strategy that can be used to gain an advantage over your opponent is hitting the ball at their feet level.

This strategy can be successful when your opponents are not anticipating it. To execute this shot, you must position yourself to be slightly in front of your opponent. Aim for your opponent’s feet at the top of your swing when you hit the ball.

If executed correctly, this shot will force your opponent to move backward and could result in them making a mistake.

8 – Try Maintaining the Upper Hand

Playing pickleball in a doubles format can be a fun and exhilarating experience, but it can also be a bit challenging if you are unfamiliar with the game. Here are a few key things to remember when playing in a doubles match:

1) When playing against an opponent, try to maintain an upper hand by keeping them on the defensive. This can be done by hitting the ball hard and making them run around the court.

2) Be aware of your partner’s position on the court at all times and try to hit the ball toward them so they can make a return.

3) If you find yourself in a difficult situation, do not hesitate to ask for help from your partner. They should be ready to come up with a plan B if needed.

4) Stay positive and focused throughout the entire match.

9 – Placement Strategy

In pickleball doubles, the placement of your shots is key. You want to place the ball where your opponent has difficulty getting to it or in a spot that will make it difficult for them to return the ball. There are many different places you can place your shots, but here are a few of the most common ones:

The serve is one of the best places to start with a placement shot. You want to aim for the far corner of the court so your opponent has difficulty returning it. Getting them moving back and forth across the court will put them on defense and give you an advantage.

Another common place to hit your shots is just in front of the net. This will make it difficult for your opponent to hit a clear shot back to you.

Ideal Strategies and Spots for Different Placemats

When playing pickleball doubles, it’s important to know where to position yourself on the court to give yourself the best chance of scoring. Here are some tips for ideal placements based on the type of shot you want to hit.

If you want to hit a groundstroke:

• Position yourself at the back of the court if you want to play it safe and stay in bounds; this will give you plenty of time to make your shot.
• Position yourself near the middle to put more pace on your stroke and take your opponent by surprise.

If you want to hit a lob:

• Position yourself near the net so that you have less distance to cover; this also puts pressure on your opponents, as they will have less time to get back into position.

Summary About Pickleball Doubles Strategy

Pickleball doubles can be a lot of fun and a great way to get some exercise. When playing, it is important to use a strategy that will help you win. You can improve your chances of winning using the tips in this article. So grab a partner and start playing!