The First Four Shots

Shot one: serve with a purpose

A deep serve pushes the returner behind the baseline and can shorten the return. Use a large target and enough pace to create pressure without donating faults.

Stay behind the baseline because the return must bounce before your team can play it.

Shot two: return and claim the line

A deep return buys travel time. Use height and depth, follow the ball forward, and arrive at the kitchen under control.

The returner's partner should already be at the kitchen and ready to protect the middle.

Shot three: choose, do not guess

Drop a low or deep return when opponents are established. Drive a short, high ball or target a returner who is still moving.

Your third shot should create a playable fifth ball or movement opportunity, not force an immediate winner.

Shot four: keep the advantage

The receiving team should volley deep at the feet when the third shot sits up. Against a good drop, contact softly and keep the ball low rather than attacking below net height.

Make the serving team earn every step toward the kitchen.

Walk through a complete doubles opening

Imagine you are serving and your partner starts behind the baseline on the other half. Aim a reliable diagonal serve well inside the lines. The receiver sends a deep return and moves forward, joining a partner who is already near the kitchen. Your team waits for that return to bounce. The third shot now comes from the ball you actually received, not from the pattern you hoped to run.

On a low, deep return, choose a drop with margin and watch the fourth shot. If the opponents contact below net height, move forward together. If the drop floats and they can hit down, stop and prepare for a defensive fifth. On a shorter return, a controlled drive can produce a block that lets you drop the fifth from closer in. The same opening goal can use different shots.

What changes when the return is short or the serve is weak

A weak serve does not justify a reckless return winner. The receiver can use the extra time to establish a deep target and advance in balance. A short return gives the serving team court position, so the returning pair should prepare for pressure instead of assuming that their kitchen position has already won the point.

The fourth-shot player should read the third shot before deciding to volley. If a drive arrives high, use a compact block toward a large deep target. If a good drop descends below the net, soften the reply and keep it difficult to attack. Reaching down for a hard volley often gives away the advantage you built with the return.

Measure opening quality without rewarding lucky winners

Run ten starts and record three separate outcomes: legal serve and return, sensible third-shot selection, and balanced team position after the fourth. An opponent's miss does not erase a rushed decision. Likewise, a sound drop choice can be worth repeating even if you miss its execution once.

For a new pair, use cooperative feeds and generous targets until the serving team remembers to wait for the return bounce. For a more experienced pair, vary the return depth and let the fourth-shot player choose the target. Alternate serving and receiving roles so each player learns how their own opening ball changes the next person's options.

Equipment for this practice

Use a comfortable paddle, a consistent ball model, and safe targets. Keep the same equipment while you work on the cue so you can judge the change in technique. Our pickleball gear buying guide explains paddle fit, indoor and outdoor balls, court shoes, and what to check before buying.