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JACKIE KAWAMOTO WATCHES AS SISTER AND TEAMMATE JADE KAWAMOTO HITS A FOREHAND VOLLEY DINK SHOT OVER THE NET IN THE WOMEN ’ S PRO DOUBLES DIVISION AT THE 2024 PPA DESERT RIDGE OPEN .
PHOTO BY BRUCE YEUNG ; IG : @ YEUNGPHOTOGRAPHY
For example , if your partner misses a shot in the nonvolley zone , you can say , “ No problem , I should have ended the point earlier on that volley . My bad . I ’ ll get the next one .” Do not say things like , “ That ’ s my fault , I ’ m blowing it .” Be cognizant of your language — and always ending on a positive note is important .
Taking ownership on the court shows :
• My partner has my back .
• We ’ re a team , in this together .
• It ’ s not your fault , I must be better too .
This will take pressure off your doubles partner , help them feel supported , and let them play with confidence .
5 . Communication
Communicating effectively with your partner is obviously very important . Good leaders ensure that the people around them feel like a team , on the same level . This is applicable to the mental game in pickleball .
One easy tip for becoming a better doubles partner is to avoid the word “ you ” in any negative context . Doubles is a team effort so it almost always should be “ we .”
Given that it is a team effort , unless you prepare mentally to support your partner , you could be in for a long , frustrating match . Following these guidelines on how to mentally be a good doubles partner , combined with developing a good strategy , will help your doubles team win more pickleball games this season , and beat teams that are even more talented than yours . •
Lamar Scott is the 2024 PPR Clinician of the Year . He is a Dual Impact certified PTR tennis and PPR pickleball professional at Blackburn Tennis Center in Atlanta .
MARCH / APRIL 2024 | MAGAZINE 39