Learn doubles strategy and positioning

Doubles is the most popular format in pickleball. The key strategic principle is getting both partners to the kitchen line as quickly as possible, where you control the pace and angles of the rally.

Essential Positioning

• After returning serve, both players should advance to the kitchen line immediately
• Avoid no man's land (between baseline and kitchen) — balls hit at your feet here are nearly impossible to return
• Cover the middle gap between you and your partner through communication

Communication

• Call "yours" or "mine" on every ball near the middle
• Use "switch" or "stay" after serves to coordinate positioning
• Work out hand signals before the game starts

Stacking

An advanced strategy where both players start on the same side during the serve, then fan out. Particularly effective for left-right hand partnerships so both forehands cover the middle.

Tips

• The split step (small hop as your opponent contacts the ball) is the single most important footwork technique for doubles
• Stay on the balls of your feet, never flat-footed
• Right-left hand partnerships are increasingly popular in 2026 because forehands naturally cover the middle