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Hey PICKLEBACKERS,
There’s a moment in almost every doubles rally when the temptation kicks in: This is the ball. Go for it.
Sometimes, it is. Other times, that speed-up is exactly what your opponents were hoping for.
One of the most valuable skills in pickleball isn’t hitting harder or reacting faster—it’s knowing when to change gears. The best doubles players can stay patient when the ball demands it, then turn up the pressure the instant the right opportunity appears.
So how do you know when to keep dinking and when to pull the trigger? Here’s what to look for.
When to Attack and When to Be Patient in Doubles
In pickleball doubles, one of the biggest differences between winning and losing points is knowing when to be aggressive—and when to slow the game down.
It is tempting to think that aggressive play means hitting harder, speeding up every ball, and constantly looking for the winning shot. But smart aggression is different. The best doubles players understand that there is a time to attack and a time to extend the point with patient dinking.
The key is learning to recognize the difference.
Aggression Starts With the Right Ball
One of the biggest mistakes players make is attacking simply because they can. Just because a ball is available to hit doesn't mean it is a good ball to attack.
The ideal attackable ball is usually one that sits up high enough for you to contact it comfortably, particularly around your opponent's waist or higher. If your opponent gives you a ball that bounces above the net and is sitting in your strike zone, that's your opportunity.
Look for balls that are high, slow, short, or poorly placed.
When you get one, be decisive. Attack with purpose rather than trying to hit the hardest shot possible. Aim at your opponent's feet, outside hip, shoulder, or between the two opponents. You don't need a 50-mph winner. You need a shot that creates a difficult response.
When You Should Be Patient
Now consider the opposite situation.
You and your opponent are both at the kitchen line, and the ball is sitting low. Your opponent is balanced, ready, and waiting for an attack. This is usually not the time to speed things up.
Instead, dink.
Dinking gives you the opportunity to move your opponents, change the angle, and wait for them to make a mistake. You are not simply trying to keep the ball in play. You are trying to create a better opportunity.
A good dink may force your opponent to reach, move laterally, hit from their backhand side, or take the ball below the top of the net. Once you create that uncomfortable position, the next ball may become attackable.
Patience isn't passive. Patience is preparation.
The 3-Ball Rule
A helpful way to think about doubles strategy is to stop asking, "Can I attack this ball?" and instead ask, "Is this the right ball to attack?"
Sometimes the answer is no three, four, or even five times in a row.
That's perfectly fine.
You can dink several times while waiting for your opponent to pop the ball up. The player who becomes impatient and attacks a low ball often gives the advantage right back to the other team.
Think of the rally as a process:
Dink → move opponent → create pressure → force a mistake or pop-up → attack.
The attack is the final step, not necessarily the first one.
Pay Attention to Your Opponents
Your decision to attack or dink should also depend on who is across the net.
If an opponent has excellent hands and loves speed-ups, you may want to be more selective about initiating a firefight. If they struggle with fast exchanges, a well-placed speed-up may be extremely effective.
Watch what happens after your attacks.
Do they consistently counter successfully? If so, consider slowing the game down and making them work for the opportunity.
Do they struggle when you speed up at their backhand? Keep that information in mind.
Doubles is a game of information. Every rally should teach you something about your opponents.
@thepickleballclinic Top Pickleball Pro, James Ignatowich, shares how to practice aggressive dinks 👏 ✅ Prepare early ✅ Set feet in position ✅ Look for the oppo... See more
Use Your Feet Before Your Paddle
Another important factor is your positioning.
If you are moving backward, reaching, or off-balance, it is rarely the right time to attack. Even if the ball looks tempting, your body position may prevent you from controlling the shot.
Instead, reset and get balanced.
The same applies when you're pulled wide. A controlled dink or reset may be much smarter than trying to hit a spectacular winner from an awkward position.
Great doubles players understand that court position creates offensive opportunities.
Get your feet underneath you, get to the kitchen, and then look for your chance.
Don't Forget Your Partner
Doubles is a partnership, so every aggressive decision affects your teammate.
Before speeding up a ball, consider where your partner is. Are they ready for the counter? Are they in position to cover the middle? If you attack and your opponent blocks the ball back quickly, will your partner be prepared?
One poorly timed attack can turn a neutral situation into a defensive scramble for both players.
On the other hand, when both players are positioned well and ready, a well-timed attack can put tremendous pressure on the opposing team.
Communication and positioning make aggression much safer.
The Best Players Change Gears
Ultimately, great doubles players don't play at one speed.
They change gears.
They can patiently dink for ten shots and then recognize a ball that sits up and attack immediately. They can slow the game down after a failed speed-up and rebuild the point. They understand that controlling the pace is often more important than controlling the power.
So the next time you're playing doubles, don't make your goal to attack more.
Make your goal to attack better.
If the ball is low, stay patient. If your opponent is balanced and waiting, keep dinking. If you're off-balance, reset. But when the opportunity finally appears—a ball that's high, short, or poorly positioned—don't hesitate.
Step in, attack with purpose, and make your opponent deal with it.
The best offense in pickleball isn't constant aggression. It's knowing exactly when to turn patience into pressure.
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The next time you step onto the court, try giving yourself one simple challenge: don’t attack more—attack better.
Notice which balls you’re speeding up, where your feet are when you do it, and whether your partner is ready for what comes back. You may find that a little more patience creates much better opportunities to be aggressive.
Because in doubles, the point often isn’t won by the player who attacks first. It’s won by the player who recognizes the right moment.
Stay patient. Create the opening. Then make it count.
See you on the court.
Your PICKLEBACKCLUB Team
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