Your partner is being targeted in pickleball. Here's how to counter.
Last Edited
Jan 20 2025
Category
Instruction
Do you ever find yourself in a position where your opponents are hardcore targeting your partner? At times during the game you feel like you’ve gone multiple rallies without even touching the ball?
Yeah, been there. There are tips to get you back into the game but you have to play it right.
Targeting is a thing in pickleball. We all wish it wasn't, but the truth is, everyone does it and at times it’s an effective way to win a game.
For those who may not know: targeting is when your opponents are only hitting balls to your partner or what they deem as the weaker player in a match.
We see it a lot in mixed doubles where the guy only hits to the girl.
Here's how you can save the situation if your partner is being targeted. (If YOU are being targeted, check this out).
Take more court
The easiest way to get involved in the game is to take more of the court.
This is very straightforward. Instead of only playing whatever side of the court you are on, move closer to the middle and start taking more balls from your partner's side.
Positioning is key here.
Whenever I am in a situation like this, I put a lot of focus on where I am on the court both before the shot and after it.
Taking more court by yourself does leave opportunities for your opponent to attack you in what is now the open space. Being aware of your court position allows you to take more balls and cover more court.
I was at an open play recently where this was happening to me a ton. I started taking more of the court but our opponents were countering me effectively because I was out of position.
The solution was to get myself ready so I could get back where I needed to be even before I took the shot.
Find ways to get back to a neutral spot effectively:
- Lean in to hit dinks rather than moving
- Shuffling your feet rather than turning your body
- Follow your shots into the net
The most important thing to remember is to communicate with your partner.
If your opponent is targeting either you or your partner, find ways to get the other back into the game. There are always opportunities, you just have to be willing to give them a try.
Reverse stack/Switch sides
If your partner’s backhand is being picked on, or they’re struggling in a certain spot, you can switch positions to force your opponents to adjust.
This is called reverse stacking, and it’s a game-changer.
- On the next point, swap spots after the serve or return.
- This puts your partner on the other side of the court, making opponents rethink their targeting strategy.
- If they keep hitting to the same location out of habit, they might hit directly to you instead.
When you reverse stack, opponents are forced to adapt to a new positioning. This keeps your partner from getting worn down in the same rally.
One risk: your partner needs to be comfortable playing from a different position. If they aren’t, this strategy might backfire.
The "cheat-in" strategy (advanced)
This is a high-level move, but if done right, it can completely throw off opponents who are targeting your partner.
- Before your partner serves, take a few steps into the court.
- This makes opponents think, "Wait, this player is out of position—I should hit to them!"
- If they take the bait, they’ll hit to you instead of your partner—putting you right back in the action.
The key is to force opponents to reconsider their strategy, putting pressure on them to hit a perfect shot (which many players won’t).
Risk: You need to be fast enough to retreat if they hit a deep return. If your footwork isn’t solid, you might end up out of position.
Read Next: Pickleball beginners: Stop doing these things ASAP
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