When playing doubles in pickleball, you must work with your partner as a team. If you do not work with your partner as a team, then you will not win.

When you and your partner are dinking at the Non-Volley Zone or Kitchen Line, you and your partner will follow the pickleball in tandem. Generally, you and your partner will always be about six to eight feet apart at the Non-Volley Zone or Kitchen Line. Think about it as if there were a six- to eight-foot string attaching you to your partner. If you move, your partner should move. If your partner moves, then you should move. For example, imagine you and your partner are on the pickleball court. You hit a crosscourt forehand dink to your opponent. Your partner should follow the pickleball and cover the line, and you should follow the pickleball and squeeze the middle of the court, remaining within six to eight feet of your partner. If your partner hits a crosscourt backhand dink to your opponent, then you should follow the pickleball back to the line on your side of the pickleball court, and your partner should follow the pickleball and now squeeze the middle of the court; again, remaining within six to eight feet of you.

To note, since you will be about six to eight feet away from your partner, you and your partner will cover two-thirds to three-quarters of the pickleball court at all times. You and your partner will be “giving up” a portion of the court that represents low percentage shots (in other words, difficult shots with a high margin of error). Nevertheless, you will still have the ability to move and follow the pickleball to track down these shots.

If your opponents’ hit the pickleball down the middle of your side of the court, both you and your partner could go after the pickleball. However, you and your partner will have the potential of crashing into each other and smashing paddles. In light of this, communication is essential to winning doubles pickleball. Communicate with your partner on the pickleball court—“Mine.” “Me.” “You.” “I got it.” “Yours.” Also, since forehand shots are generally stronger and more consistent than backhand shots, the rule of thumb is for the player with the forehand down the middle to take the shots that are down the middle.

Key Takeaways:

1. Work as a team with your partner, and stay within 6 to 8 feet of each other at all times.
2. Follow the flight of the pickleball!
3. Communicate loudly with your partner to avoid any unnecessary miscues on the pickleball court.