5 Mixed Doubles Tips to Win More Pickleball Matches

Play to your team's actual strengths, communicate constantly, and always remember to have fun and keep things lighthearted

Mixed doubles pickleball is a different beast than singles or men's doubles.

The dynamics shift. The court coverage changes. And if you're not playing to your team's actual strengths, you're leaving points on the table.

Brittany, a pro player competing in APP and PPA pro qualifiers, breaks down five essential tips for winning in mixed doubles, straight from her experience on the court.

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Forget the 50/50 Court Split

Mixed doubles isn't always a 50/50 court split between the man and woman. Sometimes it is. Often, it isn't.

Brittany plays with a 6'8" lefty partner who can reach and poke balls out of the air like few others can. That means she's not getting 50% of the court. She's getting closer to 20 or 30%. And that's completely fine.

The key is recognizing your team's actual strengths and playing to them. If your partner has a longer wingspan, better reach, or a devastating forehand, let them take the shots that suit them best.

• Sometimes you slide over and let your partner poke
• Sometimes your partner leaves an opening and you come through the middle to put it away

It's not about ego. It's about what's best for your team.

Communication Wins Matches

You can't play good mixed doubles without talking to your partner. Constantly.

Call which ball is yours. Call which ball is theirs. In Brittany's case, she's on the left side and her partner is on the right, which means the middle is both their forehands. Without clear communication, you're going to have collisions or missed balls.

But communication goes beyond just calling the ball.

It's about being a good partner when things aren't going well.

Sometimes your partner is down. Sometimes you're both struggling. That's when you pick each other up, encourage them, and talk through what's happening.

Some partners like coaching during games. Others prefer it after. Figure out what works for your team and stick with it.

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Drilling Together Builds Chemistry

You can't expect to play well in matches if you haven't spent serious time drilling with your partner.

Brittany and her partner spend lots of time on the court doing kitchen games, working on their hands, and running competitive drills.

• They do reps of drops, resets, and drives
• They play face-to-face drills and run games like 7-11 and skinny singles to make practice feel more like actual competition

The goal is to build muscle memory and chemistry together.

You want to know how your partner moves, where they like to position themselves, and what shots they're comfortable taking.\

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Have a Strategy Before You Step on the Court

Walking into a match without a plan is a recipe for losing points you shouldn't lose.

Before the match starts, talk with your partner about your strategy. If you know your opponents, discuss where your returns should go. Should you target someone's backhand? Their forehand? Where are the weaknesses you can attack?

Even if you've never seen your opponents before, you can adjust on the fly. Watch the first few points. Notice if someone keeps missing into the net. Notice if someone's backhand is weaker. Notice if they're a righty-lefty duo like you are. Then adjust your targeting accordingly.

Having a plan keeps your mind locked in and gives you direction when things get tight.

Don't Forget to Have Fun

This might sound simple, but it's the most important tip of all.

When you're having fun, you're not stressed. You're not nervous. And when you're not nervous, you play your best pickleball. Laugh with your partner. Keep things lighthearted. Be competitive, sure, but don't take yourself so seriously that you tighten up.

You're out there for an experience. Enjoy it with your partner.

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