To become a better doubles partner in pickleball, it's essential to focus on communication habits, positioning principles, and trust-building strategies, as these elements can significantly impact a team's performance and overall win rate. In fact, research has shown that communication between partners in racket-based doubles formats is a stronger predictor of winning percentage than individual skill metrics alone.
One of the key aspects of being a better doubles partner is developing a strong chemistry with your partner, which is not just about individual skill, but about anticipating each other's moves and working together as a unit. Top doubles teams, such as Ben Johns and Matt Wright, or Anna Leigh Waters and Lea Jansen, have mastered this aspect of the game, and it's something that can be built through repetition and communication.
Improving Teamwork through Communication
Effective communication is crucial in doubles pickleball, and it goes beyond just calling "mine" or "yours." To improve teamwork, consider establishing a shared language with your partner, including pre-point agreements on:
- Middle ball ownership: Decide who takes the ball that splits the middle, whether it's the forehand player or the player with momentum toward it.
- Lob coverage: Agree on who retreats on a deep lob and who holds the kitchen line.
- Poach signals: Determine whether to call your poach out loud or use a paddle tap as a signal before the serve.
- "Switch" vs. "stay": Agree on verbal cues when court positions need to change mid-rally.
During the rally, a one-word system can be effective, with players calling out "mine," "yours," "switch," or "back" to communicate quickly and clearly. This type of communication can help prevent misunderstandings and ensure that both players are on the same page.
Court coverage is another critical aspect of doubles pickleball, referring to how two players divide the court to eliminate open spaces and easy put-away opportunities for the opposing team. Breakdowns in court coverage can occur due to a lack of pre-agreed middle coverage, both players yielding the same ball, or one player over-rotating and leaving a wide open corner. To avoid these breakdowns, players can use the T and sideline placement framework, which involves keeping the opposing team hitting toward the center of the coverage zone, rather than the corners.
Ultimately, becoming a better doubles partner in pickleball requires a focus on communication, positioning, and trust-building strategies. By working together and developing a strong chemistry, players can improve their teamwork and increase their chances of winning. As the article notes, "the teams that consistently take home the gold aren't just two good players standing next to each other. They're a functioning unit." With practice and repetition, any team can develop this type of unity and become a formidable force on the court.
