Pickleball Doubles Strategy: Positioning, Communication & Winning Tactics

By Gary, founder of RacketRise. Playing padel in the UK and tracking the sport's explosive growth.

Last Updated: March 2026

Quick Summary

• Get to the kitchen line — the team that controls the non-volley zone line wins most points in pickleball doubles
• Use the third shot drop — after your return of serve, a soft drop shot into the kitchen lets you advance to the net
• Dink with patience — soft, controlled exchanges at the kitchen line build pressure until your opponent makes an error or pops the ball up
• Find courts near you — use the RacketRise Court Finder to find pickleball venues across the UK

Pickleball doubles is a game of positioning, patience, and partnership. The team that reaches the kitchen line first and stays there wins most points. Power matters less than placement. Individual brilliance matters less than communication. If you and your partner understand where to stand, when to move, and what shots to play in each situation, you will beat opponents with better technique but no strategy.

Quick Answer: The three pillars of pickleball doubles strategy are: (1) get to the kitchen line — both players should advance to the non-volley zone as quickly as possible, (2) use the third shot drop to transition from baseline to net, and (3) be patient at the kitchen line — dink exchanges build pressure and force errors. The pair that controls the kitchen line controls the point.

Table of Contents

• The Kitchen Line: Your Primary Goal
• Court Positioning Basics
• The Serve and Return: Starting the Point
• The Third Shot: The Most Important Shot in Doubles
• Dinking: The Patience Game
• When to Attack
• Communication with Your Partner
• Stacking: An Intermediate Strategy
• Common Doubles Mistakes
• Strategy Against Different Opponents
• Sources & Further Reading
• Related Articles
• Frequently Asked Questions

The Kitchen Line: Your Primary Goal

In pickleball doubles, the kitchen line (the edge of the non-volley zone, 2.1 metres from the net) is the most powerful position on court. Both players on a team should aim to stand at the kitchen line as often as possible.

Why the Kitchen Line Wins Points

You control the angles. From the kitchen line, you can volley the ball at sharp downward angles into the opponents' feet or into open space. From the baseline, you are hitting upward over the net, giving your opponents easier balls to handle.

You reduce your opponents' time. Balls played from the kitchen line reach the other side faster, giving opponents less time to react and position themselves.

You can dink effectively. The dink — a soft shot that arcs over the net and lands in the opponents' kitchen — is the most important shot at high-level pickleball. It can only be played effectively from the kitchen line.

You force errors. Opponents stuck at the baseline are hitting upward, which produces higher balls that are easier for you to put away. The positional advantage compounds throughout the rally.

How Both Players Get There

The key phrase is "both players." One player at the kitchen line and one at the baseline creates a gap that opponents exploit. You must advance together.

The returning team has the advantage. After returning serve, the returning team's partner is already at the kitchen line (they start there). The returner should move forward to join them immediately after the return. This is why the returning team wins the majority of rallies at intermediate and advanced level — they reach the kitchen line first.

The serving team must earn their way forward. Because of the double bounce rule, the serving team has to let the return bounce. They start at the baseline and must use the third shot (usually a drop shot) to create an opportunity to advance.

Court Positioning Basics

Side-by-Side, Always

Both players should be roughly side by side at all times — both at the baseline or both at the kitchen line. The distance between partners should be about 3 metres, covering the full width of your side of the court.

If one player is at the kitchen line and the other is at the baseline, there is a huge gap in the middle of the court. Opponents will exploit this with drives and angled shots through the open space.

Shifting Together

When the ball moves to one side of the court, both players should shift in that direction:

• Ball goes to your right: You cover the wide angle, your partner shifts slightly right to cover the centre
• Ball goes to your left: Your partner covers the wide angle, you shift slightly left to cover the centre
• Ball goes down the middle: The player whose forehand covers the centre takes it (or whoever calls it first)

This lateral shifting mirrors what padel players do — the invisible string connecting both players, keeping them in sync. If you want a comparison, our padel strategy guide covers similar partnership principles.

The Transition Zone

The area between the kitchen line and the baseline is the transition zone — the most vulnerable place to be. You are too far from the net to volley effectively and too close to the net to play groundstrokes comfortably. Move through this zone as quickly as possible. Do not stop and set up shop in no-man's land.

When advancing from the baseline to the kitchen line:

1. Hit a third shot drop or a deep, controlled shot
2. Move forward as the ball travels
3. If the next ball comes low, hit another drop shot and advance further
4. If the next ball comes high, drive it and continue advancing
5. Reach the kitchen line and establish position

This might take one shot or it might take three. Be patient — rushing to the net before you have neutralised the point leads to getting caught in the transition zone with a ball at your feet.

The Serve and Return: Starting the Point

The Serve

The serve in pickleball doubles is not a weapon — it starts the point, nothing more. Because of the double bounce rule, the serving team must let the return bounce before playing it. This means an aggressive serve does not give you a positional advantage.

Serve deep. A deep serve pushes the returner behind the baseline, giving them less time and a harder angle for their return. A short serve that lands near the kitchen is easy to return aggressively.

Serve to the backhand. Most players have a weaker backhand. Directing serves to the backhand side forces a less comfortable return.

Be consistent. You only get one serve in doubles (no second serve). A fault gives the point away for free. Aim for 90%+ serve consistency before adding pace or placement.

The Return of Serve

The return is more important than the serve, because it sets up the returning team's positional advantage.

Return deep. A deep return pushes the serving team behind the baseline, giving the returning team time to establish position at the kitchen line.

Return to the weaker player. If one opponent is weaker, return to them consistently.

Move forward immediately. After hitting the return, advance to the kitchen line to join your partner. This is the returning team's structural advantage — exploit it every time.

The Third Shot: The Most Important Shot in Doubles

The third shot is the serving team's response to the return of serve. It is called the "third shot" because it is the third ball of the rally (serve → return → third shot). This shot is widely considered the most important in pickleball doubles because it determines whether the serving team can advance to the kitchen line.

The Third Shot Drop

What it is: A soft, arcing shot that clears the net and lands in the opponents' kitchen (non-volley zone). The ball should bounce low, making it difficult for the opponents at the kitchen line to attack.

Why it works: A good drop shot forces the opponents to hit up on the ball from the kitchen. This means their return comes back high and soft, giving the serving team time to move forward and establish position at the kitchen line.

How to hit it: Use a gentle, lifting motion — almost like a golf chip shot. The paddle face should be slightly open (angled upward). Contact the ball out in front of your body. The follow-through goes forward and slightly upward. The ball should arc over the net by 1-2 feet and land softly in the kitchen.

The difficulty: The third shot drop is the hardest shot in pickleball to master. Getting the right height, depth, and softness consistently takes serious practice. Many beginners and intermediate players struggle with it, which is why it is such a valuable skill to develop.

The Third Shot Drive

What it is: A firm, flat shot hit with pace directly at the opponents.

Why it works: When you cannot execute a reliable drop shot, a well-placed drive keeps the opponents on the defensive and prevents them from attacking. It does not let you advance to the kitchen line, but it buys time and can force errors.

When to use it: When the return is short or high, giving you a ball you can attack. When your drop shot is not consistent enough to risk it. When you want to change the pace and surprise opponents who expect a drop.

Choosing Between Drop and Drive

The best serving teams mix third shot drops and drives to keep opponents guessing. If you always drop, opponents sit at the kitchen line and wait. If you always drive, they set up to block and counter. Mixing keeps them off balance.

Dinking: The Patience Game

Dinking is the signature rally pattern of competitive pickleball. When both teams are at the kitchen line, the ball goes back and forth in soft, controlled arcs that land in or near the kitchen. It looks gentle. It is anything but.

What Is a Dink?

A dink is a soft shot hit from near the kitchen line that arcs over the net and lands in the opponents' non-volley zone. The ball should bounce low, making it difficult to attack. Dinks can go cross-court (diagonal) or straight ahead (down the line).

Why Dinking Wins Points

It forces errors. Dinking requires precision and patience. Over a long dinking exchange, one player will eventually mishit, hit the net, or pop the ball up high enough to attack. The team that makes fewer dinking errors wins more points.

It creates attack opportunities. When an opponent hits a dink that bounces too high (a "pop-up"), you can step in and drive the ball downward for a winner or a forced error. Dinking creates these opportunities through sustained pressure.

It neutralises power players. Players who rely on hard shots have no answer to disciplined dinking. They cannot smash a ball that lands in the kitchen. They are forced to play a soft game they may not be comfortable with.

Dinking Technique

Paddle face: Slightly open, angled upward. Contact point: Out in front of your body, below waist height. Motion: Gentle, compact. The power comes from the shoulder and a slight push — no wrist snap, no big backswing. Target: Opponent's feet, the middle of the kitchen, or the kitchen sideline (hardest to reach). Arc: Clear the net by 6-12 inches. Too high and it becomes attackable. Too low and it hits the net.

Cross-Court vs Down the Line

Cross-court dinks are higher percentage because:

• The net is lower in the centre (where cross-court dinks cross)
• The diagonal distance is longer, giving you more margin for error
• You can create wider angles

Down-the-line dinks are riskier but can catch opponents off guard because:

• The net is higher at the posts (where straight dinks cross)
• The distance is shorter, giving less margin
• But they can wrong-foot an opponent expecting a cross-court ball

The safest pattern is cross-court dinking as your default, with occasional down-the-line dinks to keep opponents honest.

When to Attack

Patience is the default in pickleball doubles. But there are clear moments to switch from patience to aggression.

Attack Triggers

The pop-up. When an opponent hits a dink or volley that bounces above net height, attack it. Step forward (without entering the kitchen on the volley) and drive the ball downward at the opponents' feet or into open space.

The high return. A return or third shot that arcs too high gives you a ball you can put away. Step in and drive it.

Off-balance opponent. If an opponent is reaching, stretching, or clearly off-balance, hit the ball to the space they have left open. They cannot recover in time.

Middle confusion. When both opponents hesitate on a ball down the middle, attack. The hesitation means a late, weak return or a collision.

How to Attack

Target the feet. A ball driven at an opponent's feet is the hardest to return. They have to hit up from a low contact point, producing a weak reply.

Target open space. If both opponents have shifted to one side, hit to the space they have vacated.

Target the weaker player. In most doubles pairs, one player is weaker. Target them during attacks.

Target the middle. Balls hit between the two opponents create confusion about who should take it. This frequently produces errors or weak returns.

Communication with Your Partner

Doubles is a partnership sport. The pair that communicates better plays better, regardless of individual skill level.

Essential Calls

"Mine" / "Yours" — On every ball near the centre or where coverage overlaps. The first person to call it takes it. If neither calls it, you both hesitate and the ball drops.

"Switch" — After one player crosses to cover a wide ball, call "switch" so the partner knows to cover the opposite side.

"Bounce it" / "Let it go" — For balls that look like they might land out. Letting out balls go is a huge source of free points, but only if one player calls it early enough.

"Stay" / "Up" — Directing your partner's positioning. "Stay" means hold your current position. "Up" means move to the kitchen line.

Between Points

Discuss patterns. "She's hitting everything cross-court — cheat that way." "He pops up on the backhand dink — keep targeting it."

Encourage. Doubles is a mental game. Positive communication after errors keeps both players focused and confident.

Plan serves and returns. Before serving, agree on target and positioning. Before receiving, agree on who covers what.

Stacking: An Intermediate Strategy

Stacking is a positioning strategy where both players set up on the same side of the court before the serve or return, then shift to their preferred positions after the ball is hit.

Why Stack?

The standard pickleball rotation (alternate serving sides) sometimes puts your forehand player on the backhand side or vice versa. Stacking lets you control who plays which side, keeping your stronger player's forehand covering the middle — the most important area of the court.

How Stacking Works

On serve: Both players start on the same side. The server serves, then both players slide into their preferred positions (e.g., the player with the stronger forehand takes the left side so their forehand covers the middle).

On return: The non-receiving partner stands just outside the court on one side. After the return is hit, they move to their preferred position at the kitchen line.

When to Stack

Stacking is most useful when:

• One player has a significantly stronger forehand or backhand
• You want to keep a specific player covering the middle
• One player is left-handed (stacking lets both players' forehands cover the middle)

Stacking adds complexity and requires practice. It is not necessary for beginners or casual play — focus on the fundamentals first.

Common Doubles Mistakes

Staying at the Baseline After Returning

The return is your ticket to the kitchen line. If you return and then stand at the baseline, you waste the returning team's structural advantage. Move forward immediately after every return.

Rushing the Third Shot

Trying to advance to the kitchen line on a poor third shot leads to getting caught in the transition zone. If your drop is not going to land in the kitchen, stay back and try again on the fifth shot. Patience.

Banging Every Ball

Hitting hard feels good but loses points. Hard shots from the baseline are easy to block at the kitchen line. Hard shots from the transition zone are high-risk. Save your power for pop-ups and attack opportunities.

Not Covering the Middle

The middle of the court — the gap between partners — is the highest-percentage target in doubles. If you and your partner leave a gap down the middle, opponents will find it. Shift together and communicate on middle balls.

Playing the Wrong Ball

If the ball is heading to your partner, let them take it. Reaching across into your partner's area causes collisions, missed shots, and positional chaos. Trust your partner and cover your side.

Hitting to the Strongest Opponent

It feels safer to hit to the player you can see most clearly, which is often the player at the kitchen line who is looking right at you. But that is usually the stronger, more prepared player. Target the weaker opponent, the moving player, or the gap between them.

Strategy Against Different Opponents

Against Power Players

Dink. Power players hate dinking because it takes away their biggest weapon. Keep the ball soft and low in the kitchen. They will eventually get frustrated and try to attack a ball they should not, creating pop-ups for you to finish.

Against Patient Dinkers

Be more patient than them, or change the pace. Throw in occasional drives or lobs to disrupt their rhythm. Mix cross-court and down-the-line dinks. Look for any ball that bounces above net height and attack it quickly.

Against a Team with One Weak Player

Target the weaker player relentlessly. Serve to them, return to them, dink to them, and attack them. It is not unsporting — it is smart doubles strategy. Professional pickleball players do this consistently.

Against Lobbers

Position yourselves slightly back from the kitchen line (half a step) to give yourselves more time to react to lobs. When the lob is short, smash it. When the lob is deep, turn and chase — the partner who is closer to the ball's trajectory takes it, the other covers the net.

Sources & Further Reading

• Pickleball England — Rules and strategy — Official UK pickleball rules and coaching resources
• USA Pickleball — Doubles strategy guide — Doubles positioning and tactics
• The Dink — Strategy articles — In-depth pickleball strategy and analysis

Related Articles

• How to Play Pickleball: Rules, Scoring & Beginners Guide
• Pickleball Kitchen Rules Explained
• Pickleball Rules UK
• Pickleball vs Tennis
• Best Pickleball Paddles UK
• What Is Pickleball? Complete UK Beginner's Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most important strategy in pickleball doubles?

Getting both players to the kitchen line. The team that controls the non-volley zone wins most points. Use the return and third shot drop to advance to the kitchen line, then use patient dinking to build pressure until your opponents make an error or pop the ball up for you to attack.

What is the third shot drop in pickleball?

The third shot drop is a soft, arcing shot played by the serving team on the third ball of the rally. It clears the net and lands in the opponents' kitchen, bouncing low and making it hard to attack. This shot gives the serving team time to advance from the baseline to the kitchen line. It is widely considered the most important shot in pickleball doubles.

How do you communicate with your partner in pickleball?

Call "mine" or "yours" on every ball near the centre. Call "switch" when one player crosses to cover a wide ball. Call "bounce it" or "let it go" on balls that might land out. Between points, discuss patterns, plan serves, and encourage each other. The pair that communicates better wins more points.

Should I hit hard in pickleball doubles?

Only when you have a clear attack opportunity — a pop-up above net height, an off-balance opponent, or an open court. The rest of the time, controlled placement beats power. Hard shots from the baseline are easy for kitchen-line players to block. Patient dinking and smart positioning win far more points than power.

What is stacking in pickleball?

Stacking is a positioning strategy where both players start on the same side of the court, then shift to preferred positions after the ball is hit. It lets you control which player covers which side — useful for keeping a stronger forehand covering the middle or accommodating a left-handed player. Stacking is an intermediate-to-advanced strategy, not essential for beginners.

How do you beat a team that dinks everything?

Be more patient than them, or disrupt their rhythm. Mix cross-court and down-the-line dinks to create movement. Add occasional drives or lobs to change the pace. Watch for any ball above net height and attack it immediately. The team that breaks first usually loses the dinking exchange.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Strategy advice is based on widely accepted coaching principles — results may vary depending on skill level and opposition.