Transform your doubles game from liability to asset with these eight fundamental corrections that immediately improve your partnership.

8 Essential Fixes to Become a Threat in Pickleball Doubles

Doubles pickleball is a different animal than singles. You're not just playing against two opponents—you're playing with a partner, which means coordination, communication, and complementary skills matter as much as individual talent.

Many players plateau in the 3.0-3.5 range because they continue playing doubles like it's two individuals sharing a court. To become a genuine threat, you need to fix these eight common issues that separate recreational players from competitive ones.

1. Stop Ball-Chasing

The Problem: Both you and your partner go for the same ball, or worse, you both assume the other has it. Either way, the ball drops untouched between you.

The Fix:

• Call "mine" early and loud when you're taking a ball
• Call "yours" to direct your partner when you're not taking it
• Default to the person with the forehand in the middle (usually)
• If you're both right-handed, the person on the left typically takes middle balls with their forehand
• Practice calling balls in warm-up, not just games

Practice Drill: Have a third person feed balls to the middle while you and your partner practice calling and taking them. Start slow and increase speed as communication improves.

2. Stop Standing Too Far Back at the Net

The Problem: You're two feet behind the kitchen line "just to be safe," but now you can't volley effectively and you're vulnerable to short angles.

The Fix:

• Toes should be within 6-12 inches of the kitchen line
• Weight should be forward, on the balls of your feet
• Paddle up and ready, not dangling at your side
• Split-step just before opponents hit to stay balanced
• Practice moving forward on every shot until it becomes automatic

Why It Matters: At the net, inches matter. Being behind the line turns easy volleys into difficult half-volleys and opens up angles for your opponents.

3. Stop Backing Up When You Should Move Forward

The Problem: Your partner hits a good third shot drop, but you stay back "just in case." Now you're playing one-up, one-back—the weakest formation in doubles.

The Fix:

• When your partner hits a drop, move forward immediately
• Trust your partner's shot—don't hedge by staying back
• If the drop is good, you're both at the net together
• If it's attacked, you're both back together
• Never intentionally play one-up, one-back

The Rule: Move as a unit. Whatever happens, you're in the same position as your partner (both up, both back, or both in transition).

4. Stop Hitting to Your Opponent's Strengths

The Problem: You hit the same shot to the same spot, regardless of who you're playing against. Some players crush your forehand drives, while others struggle with backhand dinks—but you haven't noticed.

The Fix:

• Warm up intentionally to identify opponent weaknesses
• Target the weaker player consistently
• Attack the weaker side (usually backhand)
• Avoid hitting to the strong player's forehand
• Adjust your strategy mid-game based on what's working

Scouting Questions:

• Which opponent is slower?
• Who has the weaker third shot drop?
• Whose backhand is exploitable?
• Who struggles with lobs?

5. Stop Telegraphing Your Shots

The Problem: Opponents know exactly what you're going to hit before you hit it because your body language gives it away.

Common Tells:

• Looking where you're going to hit
• Changing your stance for different shots
• Taking a bigger backswing for drives
• Opening your paddle face early for drops

The Fix:

• Keep your eyes neutral—look at the ball, not the target
• Use the same preparation for drops and drives
• Minimize your backswing on all shots
• Decide your shot late based on opponent positioning
• Practice disguising intentions in drills

The Goal: Opponents should have to guess what you're doing. The moment of hesitation from uncertainty often decides the point.

6. Stop Playing "Hero Ball"

The Problem: You go for winners when you should keep the ball in play. You attack balls you can't attack successfully. You're playing for highlights instead of consistency.

The Fix:

• Only attack high-percentage shots (above net height, in your wheelhouse)
• When in doubt, dink it back
• Keep the ball in play and let opponents make mistakes
• Build the point—don't try to end it on every shot
• Know your percentages: 70% success rate minimum on aggressive shots

The Philosophy: The team that makes the fewest unforced errors usually wins. Play percentage pickleball.

7. Stop Ignoring Court Positioning

The Problem: You stand in the same spot regardless of where the ball is on the court. You're not adjusting to create angles or cover space effectively.

Positioning Rules:

• Middle: When your partner has the ball, shade toward the middle
• Line: When you have the ball, protect your line first
• Diagonal: After you hit cross-court, move slightly toward that side
• Stack: Move together as a unit—never leave gaps

Common Mistake: Standing directly behind your partner when they're hitting. You should be offset to cover your respective sides.

8. Stop Playing Through Fatigue

The Problem: You continue playing the same way when you're tired, leading to uncharacteristic errors and poor decisions.

Fatigue Indicators:

• Short balls that used to be deep
• Third shot drops that go long
• Lazy footwork
• Communication breakdowns
• Going for winners when you should play safe

The Fix:

• Recognize when fatigue is affecting your game
• Simplify your strategy when tired—play safer
• Take more time between points to recover
• Focus on fundamentals over creativity
• Hydrate and fuel properly between games

Smart Fatigue Play: When tired, reduce unforced errors. Don't try to hit perfect shots—just keep the ball in play and let your opponents work.

Putting It All Together

Week 1 Focus: Communication (Fix #1) Week 2 Focus: Net Position (Fix #2) Week 3 Focus: Moving Together (Fix #3) Week 4 Focus: Strategy and Scouting (Fix #4) Week 5 Focus: Shot Disguise (Fix #5) Week 6 Focus: Percentage Play (Fix #6) Week 7 Focus: Positioning (Fix #7) Week 8 Focus: Fatigue Management (Fix #8)

Measuring Progress

Track these metrics to see improvement:

• Unforced errors per game (should decrease)
• Points won at the net (should increase)
• Successful third shot drops (should improve)
• Games won from behind (should increase)
• Partnership communication (subjective, but critical)

Final Thoughts

Becoming a threat in doubles pickleball isn't about hitting harder or having fancier shots. It's about eliminating the errors and bad habits that keep you from playing to your potential.

These eight fixes address the most common reasons players plateau. Pick one to focus on each week, and within two months, you'll be a completely different player—and a much better partner.

The best doubles teams aren't necessarily the most talented. They're the most coordinated. Fix these issues, and you'll transform from a liability into an asset every time you step on the court.