Staying Back Too Long? Here's How You're Hurting Your Pickleball Partner

In doubles pickleball, moving up to the kitchen line with your partner is crucial for success. When you don’t come up at the right time, it can hurt your team's chances.

Here are five ways this mistake impacts your partner and your game:

1. Exposing the Mid-Court

   Staying back leaves the middle of the court wide open, giving opponents easy targets. Moving up together helps close that gap.

   
   

2. Isolating Your Partner

   If your partner is at the kitchen while you're still hanging back, they're left to defend alone, making it easier for opponents to overpower them.

   
   

3. Weakening Your Defense

   When you’re not up at the kitchen, you’re at a disadvantage defensively. You miss the chance to block and counter volleys effectively.

   
   

4. Killing Team Chemistry

   Lack of synchronization disrupts your team's rhythm. Coming up together creates a stronger, more unified team presence at the net.

   
   

5. Losing Offensive Opportunities

   The kitchen is where you win points. If you're not there, you're missing out on put-away opportunities that could turn the game in your favor.

   
   

To win more games, make sure to advance to the kitchen with your partner and play as a cohesive team!