How to Target the Weaker Player in Pickleball Doubles Strategically and Legally
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How to Target the Weaker Player in Pickleball Doubles Strategically and Legally

The Dink June 10, 2026 Today
The Dinkpro-tour
Knowing how to target the weaker player in pickleball doubles is one of the fastest ways to win more matches. This guide breaks down how to identify, exploit, and maintain pressure on the weaker opponent without giving their partner easy angles.
In the high-stakes world of pickleball doubles, identifying and targeting the weaker player can be the key to unlocking victory. However, it's not just about exploiting the opponent's weaknesses – it's also about doing so in a way that doesn't give their partner easy opportunities to counterattack. In this article, we'll delve into the strategies and techniques that top players use to target the weaker player in pickleball doubles, and provide tips on how you can apply these tactics to your own game. <2>Identifying the Weaker Player Before you can start targeting the weaker player, you need to be able to identify them. In most cases, the weaker player will be the one who is less experienced or less skilled than their partner. However, this isn't always the case – sometimes, the weaker player can be the one who is more aggressive or more prone to making mistakes. To identify the weaker player, look for signs such as: A player who is consistently making errors or hitting into the net A player who is struggling to return serves or volleys A player who is hesitant to take risks or make aggressive shots A player who is consistently playing behind their partner Once you've identified the weaker player, you can start to develop a strategy for targeting them. <2>Exploiting the Weaker Player Now that you've identified the weaker player, it's time to start exploiting their weaknesses. Here are a few techniques that top players use to target the weaker player: Playing to their backhand: If the weaker player has a weak backhand, try to play to their backhand side as much as possible. This will give them less time to react and make a shot. Using high-bouncing shots: High-bouncing shots can be difficult for weaker players to handle, especially if they're not used to playing against them. Try to use high-bouncing shots to keep the weaker player off balance. Playing to their feet: Weaker players often struggle to move quickly around the court, so try to play to their feet as much as possible. This will give them less time to react and make a shot. Using angles: Angles can be difficult for weaker players to handle, especially if they're not used to playing against them. Try to use angles to keep the weaker player off balance. By using these techniques, you can start to exploit the weaker player's weaknesses and gain an advantage in the match. <2>Maintaining Pressure Once you've started to exploit the weaker player's weaknesses, it's essential to maintain pressure on them throughout the match. Here are a few techniques that top players use to maintain pressure: Continuing to play to their backhand: If the weaker player has a weak backhand, continue to play to their backhand side as much as possible. This will keep them off balance and make it difficult for them to make a shot. Using high-bouncing shots: High-bouncing shots can be difficult for weaker players to handle, so continue to use them to keep the weaker player off balance. Playing to their feet: Weaker players often struggle to move quickly around the court, so continue to play to their feet as much as possible. This will keep them off balance and make it difficult for them to make a shot. Using angles: Angles can be difficult for weaker players to handle, so continue to use them to keep the weaker player off balance. By maintaining pressure on the weaker player, you can continue to exploit their weaknesses and gain an advantage in the match. In conclusion, targeting the weaker player in pickleball doubles can be a key strategy for winning more matches. By identifying the weaker player, exploiting their weaknesses, and maintaining pressure on them throughout the match, you can gain an advantage and increase your chances of winning.
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The Dink https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/how-to-target-the-weaker-player-in-pickleball-doubles/

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