Partner Stays Back: Do You Stay Back Too?

Picture this: you’re in a game of pickleball, and you move up to the kitchen after hitting a solid third shot. But then, you notice your partner isn’t moving up with you. Instead, they decide to stay back, hovering near the baseline. What do you do? Should you move back, stay at the kitchen, or something in between?

This is a common conundrum, especially in recreational play, so let’s break it down.

Why Is Staying Back a Problem?

Moving up to the kitchen line after a third shot is generally considered the optimal strategy in pickleball. It allows you to apply pressure, control the net, and put yourself in a better position to win points. When your partner stays back, it puts you in a tough spot, both physically and strategically. Suddenly, you’re left exposed, and the opposing team now has multiple attack options.

When you’re up at the kitchen line and your partner is lingering at the baseline, a few things happen:

1. Open Angles: Your opponents can exploit the angle between you and your partner. If they hit a shot to the opposite side of the court, they can create a wide gap that’s very challenging to cover.
2. Easy Targets: You become a sitting duck for powerful slams. If the opposing team directs a shot to your partner and they return a weak, high ball, your opponents can slam it at you, making defense nearly impossible.

Strategies for Beginners: How to Handle a Hesitant Partner

If you or your partner are beginners, communication is key. Let them know that advancing to the kitchen line gives your team the best chance at winning. Beginners often stay back because they feel more comfortable returning shots from the baseline—it’s less intimidating. However, kindly encourage your partner to take small steps toward the kitchen after hitting a return, explaining that moving forward is the key to gaining control.

If they still feel uneasy about moving up, stay back with them. While this might not be ideal, staying back together helps create a unified defensive position. This strategy will also allow you both to practice your third shots, resets, and defensive skills without opening yourselves up to unnecessary attacks.

Tips for Intermediate Players: Finding the Right Balance

At an intermediate level, players should understand the importance of controlling the net. If your partner insists on staying back, you can try:

• Staying Back Temporarily: If your partner isn’t comfortable moving up, hang back with them. This minimizes the risk of getting caught in the dreaded “one up, one back” formation. While this won’t give you the best offensive opportunities, it will at least prevent your opponents from easily exploiting the open angles.
• Communication and Adjustment: During breaks or timeouts, have a gentle conversation with your partner about the advantages of moving up. Explain that advancing together can close gaps and give your team an edge.
• Poaching Opportunities: If your partner stays back, you can sometimes take advantage of poaching opportunities (i.e., moving across the court to intercept a shot intended for your partner). This works if your partner hits a decent return, allowing you to put pressure on the opponents by attacking a high ball. However, be mindful that this approach works best if you have good anticipation skills and quick hands.

Advanced Players: Making the Best of a Tough Situation

For advanced players, the expectation is that both players will move up together, especially after hitting a good third shot. However, if your partner refuses to move up:

• Stay Patient: Play back and maintain a consistent, unified defensive position. Advanced players know how important it is to keep angles closed and not leave any open gaps.
• Work on Your Game: Use the situation to practice various aspects of your game, such as reset shots, drops, or lobs from the mid-court or baseline. The game may not be won easily, but you can turn it into a valuable practice session.
• Assertive Communication: Sometimes, it’s worth explaining to your partner that staying back consistently is a liability and makes it nearly impossible to win against opponents who know what they’re doing. If they’re open to feedback, explain how advancing can make a world of difference.

What to Do in Specific Situations

1. After a Poor Third Shot
   • If your partner hits a poor third shot (high and attackable), staying back with them is the better choice. This way, you’ll both be ready to defend the oncoming attack. Moving up too far will only leave you exposed to smashes aimed at your feet.
2. When Your Partner Is Being Targeted
   • If your partner remains back and your opponents are targeting them, you can use this opportunity to shift slightly and poach shots when feasible. This will alleviate some of the pressure on your partner and can also help disrupt your opponents’ rhythm.
3. Holding the Kitchen Line Alone
   • If you’re determined to stay at the kitchen line while your partner stays back, be prepared for a lot of movement. Your role will be to slide side to side and cover the gaps. However, this is very challenging and not recommended as a regular strategy—only use it if you feel confident in your quick reflexes and hand-eye coordination.
4. When Your Partner Asks Why You’re Staying Back
   • If your partner questions why you’re staying back instead of advancing, simply explain that you’re mirroring their position. Let them know that you’re willing to move up if they do, but until then, you’re better off staying in sync to defend against attacks effectively.

The Importance of Communication

One of the biggest takeaways here is that good communication with your partner is crucial. Whether you’re playing with a regular partner or someone new, a quick discussion before or during the game can help establish a common strategy.

If your partner isn’t comfortable moving up, it’s best for you to adapt and work on staying consistent with them.

Bring Your Partner Along

Ultimately, having one partner up and one back is far from ideal. It opens up angles for your opponents, puts the forward player at risk of smashes, and makes it very difficult to take control of the net. When you find yourself in this situation, the best strategy is usually to stay back with your partner, communicate your intentions clearly, and use the opportunity to work on other parts of your game.

The goal in pickleball is always to create a unified front—ideally both players at the kitchen line, ready to control the point. And remember, the kitchen is where the magic happens, so if you can, bring your partner along with you!