Pickleball doubles strategy: get to the kitchen line together
Why the kitchen line decides most points, how the serving team gets there, and the habits that cost recreational players the most.
By Albert Antioquia · Updated
In doubles, the team that controls the kitchen line usually wins the point. Almost all recreational strategy follows from that: get both players to the non-volley line together, keep the ball low so the opponents can’t attack, and be patient until someone pops the ball up. This guide covers where to stand for each of the first shots, how to get to the line, and the mistakes that cost most points at open play.
Where to stand at the start of a point
| Player | Position | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Server | Behind the baseline | Required by the serve rules |
| Server’s partner | Back, near the baseline | The return must bounce, so you can’t volley it anyway |
| Receiver | Behind the baseline, deep | Serves land deep; move forward into the ball, not backwards |
| Receiver’s partner | At the kitchen line | Your team can volley from the third shot on; start where you want to finish |
That asymmetry is the two-bounce rule at work: the receiving team gets to the net first. The serving team’s whole job on the third shot is to catch up.
Return deep, then move up
As the receiver, hit the return high and deep, ideally to the middle or the server’s backhand, then walk in to join your partner at the kitchen line. A deep return gives you time to get there; a short one gives the serving team an easy third shot.
The third shot: drop or drive
- Third shot drop: a soft shot that arcs over the net and lands in the opponents’ kitchen. They have to hit it up, which gives you time to move forward. It is the standard way to get to the net, and the hardest shot for beginners to learn.
- Third shot drive: a hard, low shot. Useful when the return is short or high, or to set up a drop on the fifth shot. Driving every third shot from the baseline usually just gets volleyed back at your feet.
Whichever you hit, move forward in steps, and stop (a split step) as the opponent hits. You don’t have to reach the line in one go; you have to arrive balanced.
At the line: dinks and patience
- Dink (a soft shot into the opponents’ kitchen) until someone hits a ball that is high enough to attack.
- Aim cross-court: the net is lowest in the middle and the cross-court dink has more room.
- Attack a ball above net height, aiming at the opponents’ feet or their hip on the paddle side, not at the open space where they can reach it.
- Stay level with your partner, about the width of a doorway apart, and move together like you are tied by a rope.
The middle ball
Balls down the middle cause most doubles confusion. A common agreement: the player with the forehand in the middle takes it, or the player who hit the previous shot when it came from a cross-court angle. Say it before the game. A loud “mine” or “yours” does the rest.
Stacking, briefly
Stacking means arranging the team so each player stays on their preferred side, for example keeping a right-hander on the left so both forehands cover the middle. It is legal as long as the correct player serves and receives. Most beginners don’t need it; learn it once you have a regular partner. (It has nothing to do with paddle stacking, the way players queue at open play.)
Mistakes that cost the most points
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Rushing the net after the serve | Stay back until the return bounces |
| Staying at the baseline all game | Every shot that gives you time is a chance to move up |
| One up, one back for the whole rally | Move as a pair; a gap down the middle is an easy winner |
| Hitting hard from the transition zone | Reset with a soft shot until you reach the line |
| Volleying with a foot in the kitchen | Step out first; even a toe on the line is a fault |
| Attacking a low ball | Only speed up a ball above net height |
| Paddle down between shots | Paddle up in front of the chest, ready for a fast hand battle |
Use open play to practise
Pick one habit per session, such as “third shot drop every time”, and judge yourself on that rather than the score. Games against players a little above your level help most, which is why fair rotation matters; see balancing skill levels. The rules behind all of this are in pickleball rules for beginners.
Try it at your next session
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