The Pickleball Doubles Format: What To Know Before Playing 

Pickleball doubles is where strategy meets teamwork. The format brings out the game’s most exciting elements — fast volleys, smart positioning, and constant coordination with your partner. To succeed, it’s not just about hitting hard; it’s about knowing where to be, when to move, and how to think two shots ahead. This guide breaks down the essential doubles rules and the strategies that turn solid play into winning play. 

Rules of Pickleball Doubles 

 Before diving into strategy, it’s important to understand how doubles play actually works. Most of the core rules are shared with singles, but a few are unique to doubles and can make all the difference once you’re on the court. 

Serve Rules 

All serves must be underhand, and the paddle must make contact with the ball below the server’s waist. The serve is always directed to the diagonally opposite service court, and the ball must clear the non-volley zone (the kitchen) without touching it. 

Tip: Focus on consistent, deep serves to keep your opponents back and buy yourself time to move forward. 

Service Sequence 

In doubles, both players on the serving team have the opportunity to serve and score until their team commits a fault. The only exception is at the very start of the match, when the first serving team gets just one server before side out. This rotation continues throughout the game, alternating sides after each point won.  

The Two Bounce Rule (or the Double Bounce Rule) 

After the serve, the ball must bounce once on each side before either team can volley (hit it out of the air). This prevents serve-and-volley domination and helps create longer rallies.  

Non-Volley Zone & Kitchen Rules 

The non-volley zone (often called the kitchen) extends 7 feet from each side of the net. Players cannot volley (hit the ball in the air) while standing in the kitchen or touching its line.  Even if momentum carries you into the zone after a volley, it’s a fault. Think of the kitchen as “no-volley airspace.” You can step in to hit a ball that bounces, but you must exit before volleying again.   

Scoring 

Doubles games are usually played to 11 points, and a team must win by at least two points. Only the serving team can score points under traditional side-out rules. The server calls the score as “server’s score, receiver’s score, and server number” (e.g., “5-3-2”). 

Faults 

Faults result in loss of serve or side out. The most frequent ones include serving into the net or out of bounds, volleying before the two-bounce occurs, volleying while in the kitchen, letting the ball bounce twice on your side, and touching the net or non-volley zone line when volleying. Before focusing on advanced tactics, make sure you’re confident with these foundational rules — they’re the base for everything that follows.  

Key Strategies to Consider During Your Doubles Game 

The rules define how the game works — strategy determines who wins. Strong doubles play isn’t about hitting the hardest; it’s about working with your partner, staying in sync, and making smart, high-percentage decisions. 

Below are the key strategies that top doubles teams rely on. 

1. Get to the Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen) Quickly
Once the two- bounce rule has been satisfied (after serve + return), your goal is to move up to the non-volley zone line (the kitchen line) as soon as possible. Being at the net gives you more control and offensive options. 
a. Doubles is all about teamwork and spacing.
b. Stay aligned with your partner — move as a unit, side to side.
c. When one player is pulled wide, the other should shift toward the middle to close gaps.
d. Avoid “no-man’s land,” the midcourt zone where you’re too far to volley but too close to defend deep shots.
e. Think of you and your partner as being connected by a short rope — when one moves, the other adjusts. 

2. Power can win rallies, but placement wins matches.
a. Aim deep on serves and returns to keep opponents pinned back.
b. Hit to your opponents’ backhands or at their feet to limit their options.
c. Shots down the middle reduce angles and often create confusion about who should take the ball. 

 A well-placed shot forces errors — a hard shot often just comes back faster. 

3. Master the Third-Shot Drop
For the serving team, the third shot is critical. A soft drop shot into the kitchen allows you to move forward and neutralize the returning team’s positional advantage. When done well, it neutralizes the returning team’s positional advantage. If your third shot lands high, stay back — better to defend than to get caught midcourt.  

4. Use the Soft Game: Dinks and Patience
Once both teams reach the kitchen line, the rally becomes a test of touch and patience. Dinking — soft, controlled shots just over the net — forces opponents to make errors or pop the ball up. 

Mix up your dinks: change direction, depth, and pace to create openings. At the NVZ, it’s less about winners and more about waiting for your opponent to blink first. 

5. Communicate Constantly
Clear communication prevents confusion and builds trust. 

a. Call “mine”, “yours”, etc., especially on shots down the middle.
b. Decide ahead who handles certain lobs or balls that land between you.
c. Play to your strengths: one may be better at net play, the other stronger from the backcourt. Structure your tactics around that. 

Doubles chemistry comes from communication as much as skill.   

6. Learn Advanced Tactics: Stacking and Poaching
a. Stacking: Position yourself so that after the serve/return you end up on the side of the court that’s best for your strengths. For example, a left-handed player might stay on the right side to keep their forehand in the middle. 

b. Poaching: When one partner anticipates a shot destined for the other and intercepts (takes the shot). It’s aggressive and effective — but risky if mistimed. Use poaching selectively. Surprise is what makes it powerful.  

7. Stay Defensive and Reset Under Pressure
When pinned back or facing fast drives, defense becomes your weapon. Keep shots deep and stay low and reset the rally with soft blocks instead of trying to counter hard shots. Focus on consistency until you can move forward again. The team that resets best usually wins the long rallies.  

 

Smart doubles play is built on control, communication, and consistency. If you can get to the net together, place your shots with purpose, and support your partner every point, you’ll win more games — even against stronger hitters. 

Putting It All Together:  How a Doubles Match Flows 

Here’s how a strong doubles rally might unfold when the fundamentals come together: 

  1. Deep Serve: Team A serves deep to the backhand side, gaining early control. 
  2. Solid Return: Team B returns deep, forcing the serving team to stay back. 
  3. Third-Shot Drop: Team A hits a soft drop into the kitchen and advances to the non-volley zone line together. 
  4. Dinking Duel: Both teams exchange soft, controlled dinks at the net, looking for an opening. 
  5. The Attack: A high dink appears; Team A calls “mine” and drives the ball down the middle. 
  6. Point Won: Team B pops it up, and Team A finishes with a clean volley. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Your Doubles Match 

  • Even well-practiced players can slip into habits that cost easy points. Staying aware of these common mistakes will help you play more consistently and confidently. 
  • Moving up to the net too soon often leaves you exposed to passing shots or lobs. 
  • Hanging out in the midcourt makes it difficult to defend deep shots or control the net. 
  • Failing to communicate with your partner causes hesitation and missed opportunities. 
  • Hitting balls too high gives your opponents easy chances to attack or put points away. 
  • Losing patience and forcing winners instead of waiting for errors usually leads to mistakes.  

Find A New Way To Play Pickleball!  

Pickleball doubles is as much about teamwork and strategy as it is about skill. When you understand the rules, move with your partner, and focus on placement over power, the game opens up in new ways. Play smart, communicate often, and stay patient — that’s how good teams turn rallies into wins. 

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References 

  • Pickleheads “17 Best Pickleball Doubles Strategies – Plus 8 Pro Tips” Pickleheads 
  • Pickleheads “Pickleball doubles rules – how to play the game” Pickleheads