3 steps to find your next pickleball doubles partner

Frank Hines

Contributor

Last Edited

Feb 18 2025

Commitment

The first question you have to ask is how committed you are to the sport. If it’s just something you like to do with friends or have fun with every now and then, go find someone you enjoy playing with and get on the court.

For the rec folks it’s just about having fun. If the game is not that serious then do not make it more than it needs to be. Spend time doing something you love with people you enjoy.

If you are looking to be competitive, things get a little more difficult.

There are a lot of different types of competitive pickleball players. There are those who want to be the best at their local open plays, those who want to compete at tournaments, and those who dream of going pro one day.

All of these factors determine the level of commitment you are willing to give to the game and in turn the type of partner you should select.

You need someone to push you but also has the same goals around the sport as you do.

If you select a partner who is only interested in playing open play and being the best at it but you want to go to PPA’s and compete at a high level, the partnership will not work.

Both of you have to have a clear understanding of what you want out of the sport but most importantly what you are willing to put into it.

To compete at any level you have to put in some work but the higher you go, the more work is required.

Find a partner who makes you better and is willing to put in the same amount of work you are.

Play style

This is more nuanced, especially for the competitive bunch.

At the top level of the sport, people understand their roles and the type of player they are. Anna Leigh Waters is a beast all over the court. She can play right, left, or center. Doesn’t matter. Then you take someone like Collin Johns, who is a hard core right side player and he owns that role.

As you level down, people tend to think they are more the ALW type when they are really the CJ type.

You have to first understand what type of player you are. What are your strengths, your weaknesses, and how can a partner compliment both.

It takes some real introspection for this one, but if you want to find the right partner, check your ego at the door.

Once you see what type of player you are, now comes the passive part.

Watch other people, play with them, and understand different people's games. Get a feel for how different playstyles work with your own.

Be open to play with anyone, but be critical of your performance as a team.

The details matter here.

If you are a right side player and like to be more passive, then your partner needs to take more court. The flip side is also true. Being a dominant player who takes a lot of court typically favors a more passive partner.

However, two alphas can be a great partnership as well.

The key is to play with many different people and find the partner you feel gives you and them the greatest chance of success.

Personality

This one might be shocking but it could also be the most important.

You do not have to be best friends with your partner. You don’t even have to like them very much, but you have to have good chemistry on the court.

It has to be fluid. They need to not even think about where you are and you need to trust they are where they need to be.

If someone does not do the things you expect them to do on the court, you have to be able to communicate that with them. If you can’t, the partnership will not work.

Having that trust in your partner allows for you to play free on the court. It clears your mind from even thinking about the other person because you know where they are going to be.

It may seem small but go play with someone you don’t particularly get along with, see how things shake out.

Where to find your next partner

Picking a partner is important because it’s the person you put your faith in while on the court.

It’s the person you have to win or lose with.

Knowing what you’re getting into before picking a partner is such a big deal and really comes down to the level of dedication you are both willing to put in.

Find that person who cares about pickleball as much as you, compliments your playstyle, and you can tolerate.

Do this and you’ve found yourself a partner.

Where to find your next partner:

Recreational players looking for community can use your local PlayTime Scheduler region to find like-minded, self-rated players.
More competitive players can use the DUPR app, the official rating system of pickleball, to find people in their region who may need partners for tournaments.
The Kitchen Pickleball Facebook group is a great way to find like-minded players, many of whom may live close by.

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