How to move as a team in pickleball doubles, with drills
How doubles partners shift together, who covers the middle, and three positioning drills to stop leaving gaps, from beginner to 4.0+.
For players rated 2.5+
When to use it
In doubles you and your partner cover the court together. Picture a rope about 8 to 10 feet long between you: when the ball goes to one side, you both shift that way, so the gap between you stays the same and the middle stays closed.
The player on the side of the ball guards the line, and the partner shifts toward the middle. Most points are lost through the middle, or through a gap that opens when one partner moves and the other doesn't.
Drills
1.Rope drill
With a partner2.5–3.0Builds the habit of shifting together, keeping the same gap between you.
The ball goes left: shift left together…Topspin - Stand at the kitchen line with your partner, holding a rope or towel between you, or just keeping 8 to 10 feet apart.
- A friend points left, right or middle; shift together without letting the gap change.
- Then do it while moving forward from the baseline to the kitchen line.
Reps: 3 rounds of 1 minute
2.Shift with the dink
Four players3.5Trains shifting with the ball during a live dink rally.
Wide on A's side: A guards the line and B closes the middle.Topspin - Play a dink rally where one team dinks only wide, alternating sidelines.
- The other team shifts with each ball: the player on that side guards the line, the partner closes the middle.
- Stop the rally if a gap opens, reset and go again.
Reps: 5 minutes, then swap roles
3.Middle-ball call
Four players3.5Settles who takes the middle ball, so you never both go for it or both leave it.
C sends a ball down the middle…Topspin - Play a dink game where the other team aims every few balls down the middle.
- Agree before you start who takes the middle; usually the player whose forehand is there.
- Call 'mine' or 'yours' on every middle ball, even the easy ones.
Reps: Games to 11
Common mistakes
- Standing still while your partner moves, which opens a gap in the middle.
- Both partners drifting to the ball, which leaves a whole side empty.
- Not calling the middle ball, so you both go for it or neither does.
- Moving after the ball is hit instead of while it's travelling to your opponent.
What to work on at your level
| 2.5–3.0 | Keep the same gap from your partner and shift with the ball. |
|---|---|
| 3.5 | Guard the line on your side and close the middle when the ball goes wide. |
| 4.0 | Move with the ball before your opponent hits it, and settle the middle ball by calling it every time. |
| 4.5+ | Move with the ball before your opponent hits it, and settle the middle ball by calling it every time. |
Paddles that help
Doubles is played mostly in quick exchanges at the net, where a balanced paddle that moves fast helps.
Best Pickleball Paddles for DoublesCommon questions
- Who takes the middle ball in pickleball doubles?
- Usually the player whose forehand is in the middle. If one partner is clearly closer, they take it. Agree before the game and call it every time.
- How far apart should doubles partners stand?
- About 8 to 10 feet at the kitchen line, and you both shift toward the side the ball is on.
- Should partners move up to the kitchen line together?
- Yes. If one is up and the other is back, the gap between you is an easy target.
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