Walk onto any pickleball court lately and you will see more power being injected into the game—power paddles, 3rd shot drives, rips from the transition zone… and a fair amount of impatience too. Power can be fun to watch and satisfying to hit, but if you think that’s what wins most doubles matches, think again.

The most successful doubles teams aren’t the ones who hit the hardest. They’re the ones who play smart, move in sync, place shots with intention, understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and communicate with solid, positive reinforcement. Yep—positivity.

Communication: The Glue

Strong communication is the heartbeat of any great doubles partnership. It’s more than just calling shots. It’s that ongoing stream of verbal and non-verbal cues. It’s understanding which areas of the court you’re each responsible for—and what kind of shots to hit in those zones. Game planning matters.

Before the game: Talk strategy. Discuss preferred sides, tendencies, and small details—like whether one opponent struggles when you’re directly in front of them. If so? Stack accordingly.
During the point: Use quick verbal cues like “bounce it,” “switch,” or “I got it.” These can be game changers.
After rallies: Briefly chat about what worked (or what didn’t), and follow it up with a paddle tap. That quick gesture reinforces support and team energy.

Teams that communicate constantly, adjust on the fly, and have each other’s backs have an edge. Why? Because that’s the foundation of a great team.

Footwork and Court Positioning Beat Flashy Shots

A strong third-shot drive might win you a point here and there, but it’s good footwork and smart positioning that win games consistently.

Move in tandem with your partner. Shift together. Close off open spaces, especially the middle, which can be a major weak spot if left unchecked.
Make it a priority to get to the kitchen line as quickly and safely as possible. “Quickly” doesn’t mean sprinting mindlessly. It means dancing with intention. Sometimes you’ll need to hit a few transition shots before you can move up, and that’s OKAY!

Good doubles teams know where they need to be, not just where the ball is.

Trust: The Make-or-Break Factor

One of the biggest differences between the average and the exceptional teams? Trust.

It shows up in those quick, high-pressure moments: who takes that middle ball, who chases a lob, who steps up to finish the point.

A lack of trust leads to hesitation, second-guessing, and poor chemistry. Trust builds confidence, clean movement, and smarter decision-making.

Ok, so how do you build trust?

Play regularly with the same partner against a mix of opponents
Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses (no egos—own your flaws and work on them)
Always back each other up, especially after mistakes (no eye rolling!)

Even on your off days, trust your partner and stick to your game plan.

Consistency Wins Again

Good doubles teams are less concerned with overpowering opponents. They’re focused on consistency, smart placement, and adjusting their strategy based on who they’re playing.

The essentials:

Reliable 3rd shot drops or drives—whichever one you can execute consistently
Controlled, purposeful dinks
Smart shot selection based on the opponent’s position

Power might get the “oohs” and “aahs,” but consistency forces errors—and that pressure is what wins matches.

Observation, Strategy, and Adaptability

The team that adapts faster, spots weaknesses earlier, and limits unforced errors tend to win more.

Pay attention:

Is one opponent weaker on backhands? Mix in some rolling dinks to that side (don’t overdo it).
Do they struggle with speed-ups or tend to lag in reaction? Time to drive.
Is one player always going for the 3rd shot drive? Target them, disrupt their rhythm.

Be observant. Take mental notes. Then talk about it with your partner between points.

Win with Smarts and Communication

At its very core, doubles pickleball is about teamwork. Success comes from chemistry, communication, and shared strategy. Build trust, talk constantly, and make smart, consistent decisions. Then talk some more.

Give it a try.

Doubles Pickleball: The Good Stuff that Actually Matters