Pickleball Doubles Communication Drills: Pickleball coach Linda Thompson is teaching players how to improve communication with their partners during doubles matches. In a recent video lesson, she showed drills and techniques that help players avoid confusion, reduce errors, and work better as a team — especially in fast-paced situations where quick decisions matter.
Why Communication Matters in Doubles
According to Linda Thompson, not talking to your partner during a match can lead to big problems. Mistakes, missed shots, and even frustration between partners are common when communication is weak. She said, “If I’m playing a team and I see that they are not communicating… I’m pretty happy about that.” Good communication, on the other hand, gives teams a big advantage.
Starting with Simple Drills
To help players build better habits, Linda Thompson introduced a basic warm-up drill. Partners call every ball by saying “mine” or “yours,” even if it’s obvious who should hit it. This teaches players to speak up and get used to calling the ball during play.
“It’s just to get your brain thinking about that communication aspect that you need to have when you’re playing,” she explained.
Communication at the Baseline
Linda Thompson also focused on the importance of calling the ball early, loud, and clearly when playing from the baseline. If two players go for the same ball or don’t call it, they risk crashing into each other or missing the shot. She shared a real-game example: “So he called it, but she still moved over and was kind of in his space… he might hit her.”
She added, “You want to make sure you say a word that doesn’t get messed up and maybe sound like yours, mine, his, hers, whatever.”
Letting Your Partner Take the Shot
Even if a player wants to take a shot, they must back off if their partner calls for it. “I’ve had many times where my partner calls me on a ball that I really wanted to hit… but if they call it, I’m going to back off and let them hit it,” said Linda Thompson.
This prevents both players from being out of position and helps the team stay ready for the next shot.
Nonverbal Cues: Paddle Taps Build Team Spirit
One unique way to show team support is the paddle tap. Linda Thompson believes tapping paddles after every point keeps team energy strong. She said, “When your partner misses a shot — hey, that’s all right, we’ll get the next one… It brings you closer together, it makes you bond as a team.”
Not tapping, even after a good point, may signal team tension, she warned.
A Stronger Team Through Communication
Linda Thompson’s lessons show that clear, early, and honest communication can make a huge difference in doubles pickleball. From simple drills to gestures like paddle taps, these habits help players trust each other and perform better. With practice, these techniques can take any team’s game to the next level.
News in Brief: Pickleball Doubles Communication Drills
Coach Linda Thompson shares easy drills and tips to boost partner communication in doubles pickleball. She stresses calling every shot and using paddle taps to build trust. Clear teamwork helps players avoid errors and stay in sync. These skills give teams a major advantage in competitive matches.
ALSO READ: 8 Game-Changing Pickleball Tips Pros Swear By—Unlock Your Best Game Fast