If you’ve recently stepped onto a pickleball court, you already know that doubles is the most popular way to play pickleball. Whether you’re a beginner just learning pickleball rules or an experienced player trying to climb the ladder in pickleball ratings, the fastest way to improve is by drilling with a purpose, utilizing skill-based drills.

This guide breaks down the best pickleball doubles drills by skill level so you can level up your game, no matter where you’re starting.

Why Drills Are Essential in Pickleball Doubles

Drills aren’t just busy work, they simulate real-game situations, improve muscle memory, and can help you communicate better with your partner. Practicing targeted pickleball drills for doubles will sharpen your consistency, strategy, and confidence in tournaments and rec play.

And here’s the bonus: consistent practice can help you improve your DUPR rating over time.

Drills for 2.0–3.0 Skill Level

At this stage, you’re focused on learning proper strokes, movement, and teamwork. Simple, repeatable drills are the key. Our goal is to develop consistency, ball control, and court awareness.

The Dink Toss Drill

• Partner feeds soft balls into the kitchen.
• Practice controlled dinks back and forth.
• Focus on paddle angle and placement rather than speed. 

Serve + Return Drill

• One player practices consistent serves.
• Partner practices deep returns crosscourt.
• Helps with shot reliability while reinforcing pickleball rules around serves and returns.

Have you been serving illegally without knowing it? Most players have. Read this article to find out if you have been breaking the serving pickleball rules too.

Shadow Movement Drill

• Without a ball, move in sync with your partner across the court.
• This teaches positioning and doubles communication.
  
  

Interested in learning more about communication in doubles? Check out this article and avoid missing unnecessary points. 

3.0–3.5 Skill Level

Once you’ve mastered the basics, the focus shifts to building rally endurance and tactical doubles play. At this point, your goal should be to strengthen doubles rallies, learn controlled aggression, and improve transition play.

Third Shot Drop Drill

• Practice third shot drops from baseline into the kitchen.
• Rotate partners feeding and hitting.
• Critical for advancing in doubles strategies.

Transition Zone Drill

• Start at baseline, hit a third shot, then move forward together.
• Pause in the transition zone to reset, then  advance.
• Helps overcome “getting stuck” in no-man’s land.

If you usually get stuck in the transition zone, check out Bobbi Oshiro’s guide on how to avoid that. One simple tip can change your life. 

Crosscourt Dink Rallies

• Rally diagonally across the kitchen line.
• Focus on depth, angles, and patience until your opponent pops one up.

4.0 and Above

At higher levels, drills simulate real-game pressure and fine-tune doubles strategies. The Goal: Add advanced tools like resets, poaching, and lobs to dominate doubles matches.

Speed-Up and Reset Drill

• One player speeds up a ball at the net.
• The partner works on resetting into a soft dink.
• Builds reflexes and calm under pressure.

Poaching Drill

• Set up crosscourt rallies.
• Practice timing your movement across the middle to intercept a ball (poach).
• Refines anticipation and partner trust.

3. Defensive Lob Drill

• Opponents lob over one player.
• Partner covers, returning either overheads or defensive resets.
• Perfect for high-level doubles where lobs are strategic weapons.

How Drills Impact Your DUPR Rating

Practicing these pickleball doubles drills at every skill level not only sharpens your game but also impacts your official DUPR rating. The more comfortable you become with dinks, drops, and doubles strategies, the better your performance in matches and tournaments will be.

If you’re new to DUPR, here’s a guide on how to get a pickleball rating.

Final Tips To Get Better at Pickleball Doubles

• Consistency beats power. Most points are won by avoiding errors, not by hitting winners.
• Communicate constantly. Call shots, discuss strategies, and stay in sync.
• Drill before you play. Ten minutes of focused practice is more valuable than a full game without any purpose.

Whether you’re chasing a higher pickleball rating, preparing for pickleball tournaments, or just want to win your next rec game, tailored doubles drills will take you there.

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