If you play mixed doubles, you’ll probably notice a pattern: the female often receives more balls than her male partner. For many players, this can feel frustrating or even disrespectful, but in most cases, it has very little to do with gender and more to do with strategy.
Many strong players are constantly looking for the highest-percentage way to win a rally. If they believe one player is more likely to make an error, struggle with pace, or hit a weaker ball, they’ll continue hitting to that player until they’re forced to change their plan.
It’s important to note that this strategy is more common in tournament play than rec play. Rec play should be respectful, and opponents should move the ball around evenly.
But in many mixed doubles matches, differences in power, reach, and offensive speed can make the woman appear to be the safer target. That doesn’t mean she’s the weaker player. Many times, women can be more consistent, have better touch, and make smarter decisions than their male partners. The challenge is that opponents often assume they can create more opportunities by testing her first.
Intermediate players experience this all the time. A team may drive every third shot at the woman, speed up nearly every dink in her direction, or repeatedly force her to hit resets from the transition zone. If she becomes frustrated or starts losing confidence, the strategy is working exactly as the opponents hoped.
What to Do When You’re Being Targeted in Mixed Doubles
The first step is to expect it.
One of the biggest mistakes players make is hoping they won’t get targeted. Instead, prepare for it. Look to be aggressive and strong. When you expect more balls, your ready position improves, your focus sharpens, and you stop being surprised when the pressure comes your way.
Court positioning also plays a huge role. Many mixed doubles teams unintentionally create openings because the partners aren’t working together. The male partner may try to cover too much court, leaving both players unsure about who owns the middle. Or the female player may slide too wide, creating angles that are easy to attack.
The best teams move together, communicate constantly, and understand exactly who is responsible for each area of the court.
Use Resets to Neutralize Aggressive Opponents
Developing a dependable reset is one of the best ways to neutralize aggressive opponents.
You don’t have to hit a perfect shot every time. Your goal is simply to take pace off the ball, drop it into the kitchen, and get your team back into a neutral position. Sometimes that can be a tall order. Hitting one more ball back can suffice. One quality reset often changes the entire rally.
Just as important is knowing when to be aggressive. If opponents become comfortable attacking every ball to you, they eventually begin expecting a defensive response. A well-timed speed-up, especially when your opponent is leaning or reaching, can completely change the momentum of the point.
Aggression is most effective when it’s intentional, not emotional.
Communication Matters in Mixed Doubles
Strong communication between partners is another key factor.
Talk before points. Decide who will take the middle on certain balls. Encourage each other after difficult rallies. The strongest mixed doubles teams play as one unit, not as two individuals trying to solve problems on their own.
In open play, you might be playing with someone you’ve never played with before. A short conversation about each other’s strengths is usually good enough.
Don’t Let Being Targeted Get in Your Head
Perhaps the most important adjustment is mental.
Being targeted is not proof that you’re the weaker player. It’s simply the strategy your opponents have chosen. The calmer and more confident you remain, the more difficult you become to attack.
Every successful reset, every controlled block, and every smart counterattack sends a message that targeting you is no longer producing results.
The next time you find yourself being targeted, don’t view it as a disadvantage. View it as an invitation to demonstrate your consistency, composure, and ability to make good decisions under pressure.
When you can handle ball after ball without breaking down, opponents often discover that the player they thought was the easiest target has become the hardest one to beat.
Remember, pickleball is supposed to be fun.
About the Author: Gina Cilento is a top-ranked Senior Pro and APP multi-medalist. She competes for the Denver Iconics in MLP Champions Series Pickleball and was named Female MVP in 2025. Gina is also a highly sought-after instructor known for helping players improve both their technical skills and strategic understanding of the game. Beyond competition and coaching, she leads corporate team-building events, hosts pickleball travel experiences, contributes to Empower Pickleball, and serves as an advisor for Pickleball Superstars.
