If you’ve been playing pickleball for a while, you might have noticed doubles players making gestures behind their backs and wondered, “What’s going on?” Hand signals can significantly improve your doubles game, especially in matches where good communication is key. They help teams communicate silently, stay coordinated, and surprise their opponents.
If you want to improve your teamwork and add more strategy to your game, let’s dive into how to use these hand signals effectively.
Why Use Hand Signals?
Hand signals in pickleball are all about communication and positioning. They allow doubles teams to play to their strengths, respond to their opponents’ weaknesses, and coordinate their movements without saying a word. This is especially helpful when “stacking“—a strategy that positions players on specific sides of the court to gain an advantage.
Whether it’s putting your strongest player in the middle or matching up against a particular opponent, signaling makes it happen seamlessly.
The Key Signals to Know
There are three primary hand signals used in pickleball:
- Switch (Open Hand) 🖐️
- An open hand means “switch.” This tells your partner that after they return the serve, you will switch sides of the court. It’s a great tactic to put your strongest forehand in the middle or to mix things up and catch your opponents off guard. It forces them to quickly adapt, often resulting in a weaker third shot.
- Stay (Closed Fist) ✊
- A closed fist means “stay.” This means both you and your partner will stick to your current sides of the court. This signal helps prevent confusion and ensures everyone knows their role, especially when a switch isn’t necessary.
- Fake (Talking Hand) 🤏
- Sometimes, you want to add a bit of deception. A talking hand (opening and closing the hand like a mouth) means “fake.” Your partner will make it look like they’re about to switch but will quickly return to their original side. This move is meant to confuse your opponents, giving them the impression that you’re switching, which could cause them to misplace their shot.
Check out how it’s done:
How to Use Hand Signals Effectively
Hand signals work best when they’re clear and acknowledged. The partner at the kitchen line gives the signal behind their back, and the returning player should acknowledge it with a simple “OK” or “Got it.”
If there’s disagreement, the returning player can override the signal, and their call should be followed. Consistent communication avoids mix-ups and helps you both stay on the same page.
Build Trust with Your Partner
Hand signals are only as effective as the trust between partners. Establishing that trust means practicing together and understanding each other’s tendencies and preferences. Discuss your strategy before matches—know when your partner prefers to switch, when they like to stay, and how comfortable they are with fakes.
When both players trust the system and each other, signals become seamless, and your game as a team will improve significantly.
Hand signals are a fantastic way to improve communication, add variety to your strategy, and have more fun on the court.
So grab your partner, practice those signals, and take your pickleball game to the next level!
