Top 10 Modern Doubles Pickleball Plays for 2025

TL;DR

Maximize opportunities by 1) Jumping the kitchen when opponents hit near sidelines, 2) Hitting deep returns to keep them back, 3) Using the “peekaboo” play to create confusion, 4) Executing the “drop and ernie” with crosscourt drops, 5) Trying the solo “shake and bake” drive, 6) Pulling opponents off-court with offensive dinks then speeding up to open spaces, 7) Speeding up low balls they expect to be dinks, 8) Using off-speed shots to throw off timing, and 9) Speeding up middle balls then shifting position to better angles.

Return of Serve Plays

1. Jumping the Kitchen Line

• When opponents hit their 3rd shot near the sideline, jump over the kitchen line and hit next to the net
• Puts extreme pressure on opponents with an angle or fast shot they can’t react to
• Look for opponents’ backswing/paddle face to avoid driving shots

2. Deep Returns and Short Swings

• Hit deep return shots to keep opponents back
• At the kitchen line, use short swings with paddle in front to prevent over-hitting
• This keeps opponents from attacking quickly

Serving Team Plays

1. The Peekaboo

• One player rushes the kitchen line as partner serves
• Causes distraction and blocks opponent’s view
• If they hit at you, duck and let partner drive winner behind you
• Communicate where drive will go so you can react faster

2. Drop and Ernie

• Server drops shot crosscourt towards sideline
• Partner anticipates and “Ernies” (attacks) the next shot
• Pulling opponents off-balance makes them hit up the line 90% of time

3. Solo Shake and Bake

• One player drives the 3rd shot then rushes net solo
• Avoids communication error if they had dropped instead
• Puts away 5th or 7th shot of rally

4. Drive and Drop

• Standard play to initiate dinking at kitchen
• Drive 3rd shot to apply pressure
• Drop short 5th shot from midcourt and transition to net

Net Plays

1. Offensive Dink and Speed Up

• Dink offensively crosscourt to pull opponent off court
• Speed up next shot down line or to their shoulder
• Changes look constantly to keep guessing

2. Speed Up From Below Net

• Hit low ball out of opponents’ view fast/firm
• They expect dink, so are late reacting
• Do on forehand or backhand side

3. Off-Speed Speed Up

• Hit firm but not too hard to fool opponent’s timing
• Causes them to over-hit or miss expecting more pace
• Effective when they respect your speed ups

4. Speed Up and Shift

• Speed up ball straight ahead
• Then quickly shift to either side
• Puts you in prime position to attack next ball
• Ball tends to come back towards direction it was hit

Jumping the kitchen line and dropping short swings are effective ways to keep offensive pressure. For serves, the peekaboo, drop and ernie, solo shake and bake, and drive and drop are smart tactics to disrupt opponents. At the net, dink offensively, speed up unexpectedly from low, use off-speed speed ups, and shift after speed ups to control the point.