Pickleball is a fun sport designed for all levels, ages of players with elements of badminton, tennis, and ping-pong elements. The game is easy for beginners and players that used to play badminton, tennis, or ping-pong find this game a bit easier. They can learn quickly the skill of the game after playing some matches as they have experience.
Even beginners find this game easy as compared to other racket games as they can learn without any special training. It is a simple and easy game that is made for all players despite their skill level or age, they can enjoy this game.
However, learning and increasing your skill to enjoy the game is still important as skilled players get to play the game that is fun and worth watching. While some players play for only fun and some play to increase their skill and are competitive. But, no matter what type of player you are, knowing a strategy to increase your gameplay is always better. Also, check the Difference Between Indoor vs. Outdoor Pickleballs.
When playing alone, everything depends on you, but when playing double pickleball, you have to cooperate with your partner and cover each other’s weaknesses by playing double pickleball. This article will talk about a double pickleball strategy that will boost your performance in-game to its fullest. These strategies will help you become a better and smarter player pickleball player.
1. Get To Non-Volley Line After Return Of Service
The most important and easiest way to win is to reach the non-volley line in pickleball doubles as it’s easy to score points when your partner and you are present 7-8 feet from the net. If you are 22 feet back or back of the court it will be harder for you to score points. So, getting to the non-volley line following every return of service and you will have more odds of winning and scoring.
Getting to the net is important if you want to have a chance at winning the game because you will get pinned if you are far away from the net. You Can also check the Best Pickleball Balls.
2. Hitting Drop Shots
If your opponents take control of the non-valley line while you are away from it, it will be unfavourable for you. But you can retake the positions by hitting drop shots but they require skills and practice to perfectly hit drop shots. When you successfully hit a drop shot you will have a chance of reaching the non-valley line and closing the advantage gap.
The drop shot is usually played after the return of the service by the serving team to close the advantageous situation and that is why it is known as the “third shot”. It is an important strategy as it neglects the advantage that your opponent has and gives you equal grounds to play at.
3. Keeping Opponents Pinned To Baseline
After the return of the service, if you and your partner are a non-volley line then you should try to retain that position to win the game. You can do it by keeping the opponents pinned to the baseline by hitting long shots or shots that make your opponent move back to the end of the court to play.
It is a better pickleball strategy to keep your opponents as far as away from the non-volley area to maintain the advantage you have, in order to win the game. You Can also check the Best Pickleball Bags.
4. Hitting at Opponent’s Feet
The shots that are aimed at feet are hard to play and there is less chance of a short shot, the only way to play is by sending the ball up high. Hitting at your opponent’s feet is the most basic strategy to win points. If your opponents are at the baseline hitting on feet will make them play a soft shot and you can hit drop shots easily and neglect the advantage they have.
When they are in between the baseline and non-volley line you have to pin them to the baseline by hitting at their feet. It will help you greatly in retaking the points and win the game if you can master the drop shots and hit at the opponent’s feet.
5. Hit Deep While Serving
When serving your priority should be to hit deep, as the return of the server wants to get to the non-volley line. By hitting deep, you are preventing them to advance to the non-volley line and giving you a chance at reaching before your opponents. It’s a counter to get the advantage at the start of the game.
Moreover, it is always better to hit a high or long shot that lands deep in the opponent’s court instead of hitting the serve at the baseline even if you can’t get to the non-volley line it will be okay as your opponent also can’t get to it but you have a better chance than your opponents. You Can also check the Best Pickleball Nets.
6. On Serve-Return Don’t Stand Too Close To Baseline
Most players stand at the baseline and even a foot or two inside the baseline when returning the serve. You have to stand 2 to 3 feet behind the baseline to get to the non-volley line as soon as you return the service however if you know that the service is likely to hit short then you can stand close to the baseline.
This way you will not get pinned or jammed or give your opponents points easily when they serve the ball deep.
7. Returning Serve Deep
Returning deep serve has many advantages and turns the game in your favour. For starters, it gives returners additional time to follow the return of service and reach the non-volley line. This also makes it harder to hit drop shots on the 3rd shot and it is difficult to successfully execute the third shot to close the advantage.
8. Communicating During Game
When playing a shot that is aimed at the middle of the court causes uncertainty about which partner should reach out to that shot. Therefore, as a team at the beginning of the match decide which one will take the middle shots. Or decide that whoever is closest will take that shot while another partner will cover it.
For starters, you should try callouts to communicate with each other. Remember callouts should be short and precise and long talks during the game can affect the performance. By callouts like “Mine” or “yours” and other short words, you can easily win the doubles pickleball.
9.Move Together
When playing doubles you and your partner need to coordinate with each other and move together as if you are restricted to be away from your partner for more than 8-10 feet. Moving back and forward as a team and side-to-side as a team and if you don’t move together, your opponent will find openings.
These openings will give your opponents an advantage and they can easily put the ball away and pin you to the baseline or back of the court.
10. Patience
Patience is the most important and hardest thing to do and is the basic key to victory. It involves playing a shot at the right time and selecting the shot you want to play. Errors can be avoided if you play with patience and wait for the right time and play the right shot. This might be hard as it is the heat of the moment when players lose patience and that is natural but if you play with patience you will surely get the chance at victory. You Can also Check the Best Edgeless Pickleball Paddles.
Conclusion
These are basic pickleball strategies of only doubles games that will make your pickleball gameplay better and you will be able to coordinate well with your partner. It may be hard to learn these techniques but slow and steady practice will bear fruit in no time. Moreover, the gameplay will be more entertaining and competitive if you practice and master these strategies to boost up your game.
Frequently asked questions:
1. What are the five rules of pickleball?
These are the five rules of pickleball.
- You must keep the ball inbounds
- You should play one bounce per side
- The player must serve at the baseline
- No one can land the service at no volley zone
- The game can end at 11, 15, or 21 points
2. What is the most aggressive shot in pickleball?
The most aggressive and offensive shot is when a player plays an overhead shot to the other player. This is the powerful smash in the air high enough that the opponent can hardly reach it. The opponent can impossibly defend the shot.
3. Is pickleball easier than tennis?
Yes, pickleball is a little bit easier than tennis but it also impacts the lower back as the player has to bow down many times to play the shots. You Can also check the Pickleball Kitchen Rules.
