How to Bring the Best Out of Your Partner on the Paddle Court

As we all know, paddle is a team game, and bringing the best out of your partner is incredibly important. Winning teams aren’t just about shot-making — they’re about trust, communication, and energy. Here are a few things I try to focus on when I’m playing.

Defense

Want to be a better teammate on the paddle court? Play good defense.

If my partner can trust that I’ll handle volleys, make push overheads, and manage the screens, it allows us to be patient and pick the right moments to attack.

When defense breaks down, it puts pressure on your partner. They start feeling pressure to take risks to win points — and that’s a dangerous place to be on a paddle court. Solid defense gives your team margin, confidence, and control.

Communication

The paddle court is small, which makes communication essential — especially at the net. There is no such thing as too much communication up there.

Good teams will intentionally lob between players to create confusion. As the net team, it’s your job to eliminate that confusion. Decide whose overhead it is and say it early.

If there’s ever a miscommunication on a lob, talk about it before the next point starts. A quick conversation about who should take that ball next time can save you points later in the match.

Body Language

A lot of things on the paddle court are out of your control — weather, bad bounces, great shots from your opponents. One thing you have complete control over is your body language.

The worst thing you can do when your partner misses a shot is roll your eyes or show frustration. It doesn’t help anyone. If your partner is taking the right swing at the right time, encourage them to keep going for it.

If they’re going after a risky or lower-percentage shot, have a quick conversation. Try to understand why they’re going for it, listen, and decide together what’s best for the team.

Great competitors understand this. Rafael Nadal was famous for his positive body language, and he put it simply: “Why would I give my opponent an advantage?”

If I play good defense, communicate clearly, and bring positive body language, I give my partner the best chance to play their best — and that gives us the best chance to win.