Doubles is a team sport. Your number-one job is to lift your partner up, period. If you’re having a bad day and missing every shot, you can still do that one job. Who knows, with your stellar support, you may just be the "wind beneath their wings" that allows your partner to rise to the occasion and lead you to victory! We call this being the World’s Greatest Doubles Partner, and it has nothing to do with your shot-making skills.
 

We know how easy it is to get down on yourself when playing sports, and the whole "winners and losers" aspect often doesn’t help. When the conditions are right, a few unforced errors or missed opportunities can quickly send even the
highest-level players hurtling down a shame spiral that can be difficult to climb out from. If you see your partner even thinking about getting down on themselves, go over to them, tap paddles, and say something positive. Try supportive words like "We’ve got this," or "No worries," or "You’re so mad when you’re cute." That last one will get them thinking and laughing at the same time. Tension broken!

The paddle tap is a great way to remind your partner that you are connected. Players get down on themselves more easily when they feel alone. Your doubles partner should never feel alone. Pickleball courts are quite small, so that never has to happen! In competitive play, we like to paddle tap and make eye contact with our partner between every point. 

If you need more support from your partner than you’re currently receiving, tell them that. Not everyone can pick up on little cues like a slight frown, a subtle foot stomp, or a thrown paddle. If necessary, call a time-out so that you and your partner can huddle and talk it out.

When playing singles, be your own World’s Greatest Double Partner. Make it your goal to stay positive and lift yourself up constantly so that you can play your best. The "two of you" are going to beat that lone player on the other side of the net and have a ton of fun doing it (who else laughs at all your jokes?). This is fantastic training for all the moments you must "go it alone" in life and be your own partner, parent, and cheerleader. Adulting is hard, no matter your age!

Excerpted from Pickleball For Dummies – available now wherever books are sold.