Make early calls, connected movement, and constructive between-point communication visible and scoreable in live doubles.
Equipment
- Pickleball paddles
- Pickleballs
- Pickleball court
Setup
Play a normal doubles game. Before starting, each partnership chooses one communication focus and one brief between-point phrase.
How to run it
1. Score the game normally.
2. Add one process point for an early useful middle-ball call, coordinated movement after the third shot, or a concise constructive partner check-in.
3. Process points cannot be earned by distracting opponents or coaching during a rally.
4. At each side change or after five rallies, partners name one behavior to keep.
5. Play to a coach-selected total, counting game and process points separately.
Coach Dave’s cues
Use “mine,” “yours,” “switch,” “bounce,” “go,” and “stay.” Reset, connect, and refocus after each point. Encourage without overloading the partner.
Watch for
Late calls, conflicting calls, criticism after errors, extended between-point lectures, or bonus scoring that interrupts normal safe play.