Why You Should Hit Behind the Moving Player in Doubles
Doubles pickleball, at both the club and tournament level, rewards intelligence just as much as technique. From quiet roll-up sessions in Kent to fiercely contested brackets at the English Open in Telford, players are learning that success often hinges on anticipation and court awareness rather than brute power. One tactic, in particular, continues to separate reactive players from proactive ones: hitting behind the moving opponent.
It sounds deceptively simple. Yet when executed well, this strategic choice can reset the rally, disrupt positioning and force errors — all while giving your side control without increasing risk. In a fast-paced, lateral game like doubles, especially on the narrow court dimensions of pickleball, direction is often more important than speed.
Understanding the Principle
Hitting “behind the moving player” refers to targeting the space that an opponent has just vacated while shifting across the court. Instead of feeding the ball into their momentum, you redirect it into the area they have instinctively left behind. The result is a shot that catches them off-balance or wrong-footed, forcing awkward recoveries or leading to clean winners.
Unlike passing shots that aim for outright winners down the line or high-risk lobs over the shoulder, this tactic is about subtlety and timing. It works particularly well when your opponents are:
Poaching aggressively in the middle
Moving to cover their partner’s side
Transitioning from baseline to kitchen
Repositioning after a reset
In these moments, even highly skilled players become temporarily vulnerable. Their footwork and paddle may be committed in one direction, leaving them unable to recover quickly enough when the ball is sent behind them.
Why It Works in English Club Play
Across England’s pickleball clubs, where players vary widely in movement speed, court discipline and communication, hitting behind the moving player is especially effective. In many recreational matches, players tend to follow the ball too literally — moving towards where they expect it to go rather than preparing for deception.
By targeting the space they are leaving rather than the one they are attacking, you’re not only avoiding their paddle but also sowing confusion between partners. It often results in a stutter step, hesitation or full stop — all of which neutralise the opponent’s aggression without needing a spectacular shot.
This is particularly true in mixed ability matches or older age divisions where explosive lateral recovery is more limited.
Tactical Scenarios to Use This Shot
Here are a few key moments in a typical English doubles match where hitting behind the moving player pays off:
1. The Overeager Poacher
One player continually cuts across to intercept balls, trying to dominate the middle of the court. Instead of challenging them head-on, wait for the move, then place the ball quietly back toward the sideline they just abandoned.
2. Kitchen Rushers
After serving or returning, an opponent sprints forward to the non-volley zone. Rather than rushing your shot, send a low, controlled drive behind them as they are mid-stride. Their weight is still shifting forward, making it difficult to adjust.
3. After a Big Stretch or Lunge
An opponent stretches to their right to return a dink or block. Instead of continuing the rally toward the middle or the other player, calmly redirect to their left. While they are recovering their stance, you’ve already won the next beat of the rally.
4. On Drop Shot Recovery
Your opponents successfully reset a drive with a soft drop, and both move in. If one moves too far across to protect the middle, catch them by going back behind to their outer shoulder.
5. During Partner Crossovers
When the opposing team switches sides mid-point (either deliberately or in reaction), confusion arises. Even if their movement is smooth, the brief moment of crossover is ideal for placing the ball behind whichever player just moved.
Executing the Shot
This tactic does not require power or perfect placement. What it demands is awareness and touch.
Use a controlled pace to avoid overhitting. A soft topspin roll or flat push is often enough.
Target the outside foot or hip of the moving player, not the extreme sideline.
Maintain a low paddle finish to reduce bounce height and prevent counterattacks.
Keep your eyes up during the point. Rather than watching the ball only, scan the court for movement cues.
In club settings, where many players are taught to ‘cover the middle’ or ‘follow their partner,’ hitting behind movement often exploits well-intentioned habits. It works not by punishing poor play, but by outmanoeuvring conventional positioning.
Risk and Reward
Unlike many offensive strategies in pickleball, hitting behind the moving player carries relatively low risk. It does not require precision sideline depth or complex spin. However, it does demand timing. Striking too early means the opponent can still recover. Too late, and they may already have re-established a neutral position.
The best time to execute this is mid-movement, especially when players are visibly shifting their weight or calling out adjustments. Trust your instinct and go for placement over flash.
Using It Without Overusing It
As with any tactical play, repetition makes it predictable. Once opponents realise they’re being beaten behind, they may adjust by freezing in position or reducing court coverage.
To stay unpredictable:
Mix this tactic with dinks, crosscourt angles and occasional drives.
Use it selectively, especially during key points.
Communicate clearly with your partner to avoid overcommitting on your own side.
In tournament settings, particularly in England’s rapidly growing competitive scene, this type of intelligent play can make the difference between an early exit and a finals run.
Final Thoughts
Hitting behind the moving player is not about flair. It is about patience, perception and positioning. In a game where space is limited and movement is constant, timing your shots into the gaps that opponents create themselves is one of the smartest ways to take control.
Whether you play in social round-robins or competitive divisions, adding this tactic to your game makes you harder to read, more consistent under pressure and far more difficult to shake off the court.
Because in pickleball, as in life, sometimes the best move is simply to go where they weren’t expecting you to go.
Chris Beaumont
Founder and Editor-in-ChiefChris Beaumont is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of World Pickleball Magazine. Chris follows the global game closely, reporting on the latest news, developments, stories and tournaments from all five continents. He also hosts the World Pickleball Podcast, interviewing people at…
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