The Right-Side Anchor in Pickleball: Why One Player Gets Stuck and How to Break Free
The Right-Side Anchor: Why One Partner Always Ends Up Pinned
In the fast-growing world of pickleball, doubles play dominates. It’s fast, strategic, and full of dynamic partnerships. But in countless recreational games and even at higher levels of play, one common theme keeps surfacing — one partner seems to get stuck on the right side. Pinned, passive, and often playing defense while their teammate takes the lead.
This isn’t just bad luck or poor communication. There’s a very real pattern here, and it has everything to do with court dynamics, strategy, and yes — psychology. Understanding why one player ends up "anchored" on the right side can help teams break the mold and play more balanced, successful pickleball.
How the Right Side Becomes a Trap
Start by watching a typical doubles match. One player often dominates the left side of the court, stepping into the middle, putting pressure on opponents, and controlling rallies. Their partner, stationed on the right, plays more conservatively, focusing on dinks, resets, and covering the sideline.
At first glance, it makes sense. The left side offers a tactical advantage for most right-handed players — they have their forehand in the center, giving them easier access to the “danger zone” where points are won or lost. Naturally, they take charge. But when this arrangement becomes fixed, the right-side player can become a passive participant in the game.
This isn’t just about positioning; it’s about how teams think and move together. One player becomes the aggressor, the other the stabilizer. The problem starts when the stabilizer becomes stagnant — no longer contributing to the offense, hesitant to cross into the middle, and stuck defending balls that opponents are smart enough to keep feeding their way.
Why It Happens So Often
The most obvious reason this dynamic develops is because most doubles teams are made up of two right-handed players. The left-side player gets the middle forehand, which is naturally stronger and more aggressive. Over time, players fall into the pattern where the stronger forehand dominates the game, and the right-side partner yields that space without even thinking about it.
But there are other factors, too.
Many teams assign roles early without revisiting them. One partner might be more experienced or vocal, leading them to take on the aggressor role. The other quietly supports, often believing they’re doing the “smart” thing by letting the dominant player take the lead. Unfortunately, this creates an unspoken hierarchy that’s hard to break.
There’s also an emotional component. No one wants to “get in the way” or disrupt team chemistry, especially if a partner is playing well. But in trying to stay out of trouble, the right-side player becomes predictable, and that predictability becomes a liability. Opponents notice the imbalance and exploit it, hitting more balls to the right sideline, avoiding the aggressive player entirely, and forcing the anchor into a reactive, stressful position.
The Consequences of Being Pinned
A stuck right-side player is more than just a strategic hole — it’s a morale issue. When one partner feels sidelined, their confidence drops. They hesitate on poaches, don’t trust their instincts, and lose the rhythm of the game. Over time, they become exactly what opponents want — passive, isolated, and easy to outmaneuver.
From a team perspective, imbalance hurts flexibility. The court becomes easier to read. Opponents can keep hitting to the same zone without worrying about unpredictability. The more this goes unchecked, the harder it is to rebalance the court. Even minor adjustments start to feel unnatural because players have trained themselves into fixed roles.
Another downside is that it limits growth. Pickleball is all about improving your game. If one player is always playing it safe and rarely taking initiative, they’re not developing key skills — like mid-court poaching, offensive dinking, or reading opponent positioning. Being stuck on the right too long often means a plateau in performance, especially when facing more balanced or aggressive teams.
How to Break the Pattern
Fortunately, being pinned on the right side isn’t a life sentence. With a few intentional changes, teams can restore balance and become far more effective. The first step is awareness. Both partners need to recognize the pattern and agree to change it. That doesn’t mean abandoning roles completely, but it does mean giving each player space to step up, shift, and take calculated risks.
One of the best tools to rebalance play is switching sides occasionally, either naturally during the point or through stacking. Stacking allows teams to place players on their preferred side even after serving or receiving, and it can be used to give the “anchored” player more center court access. It also throws off opponents who have started to read your formation.
Beyond positioning, communication is key. Right-side players shouldn’t be afraid to call “mine” and step into the middle when appropriate. Likewise, left-side players should make room and trust their partner’s instincts. That trust doesn’t develop overnight — it comes from practice, clear strategy discussions, and playing with the intention of being equal contributors.
It’s also worth practicing specific drills that help the right-side player regain confidence in aggressive positions. Middle poach drills, inside-out dinks, and defensive resets under pressure are all valuable tools that build confidence and competence.
When Anchoring Makes Sense
To be clear, the right side isn’t a punishment. Some of the best players in the world choose the right side because they excel at resets, neutralizing attacks, and setting up their partner for a putaway. The key difference is that they do it by choice, not by default.
In high-level play, roles are strategic and fluid. You might see a right-side player playing 70% of the dinks and resets in a rally — but the moment they get a chance to step in and finish a point, they take it. That’s the model to strive for: a right-side player who’s calm under pressure, tactically smart, and just as capable of taking over a point as their partner.
The anchor position can be a strength when used intentionally. It requires awareness, consistency, and strong court sense. But if it becomes a permanent rut where one player no longer steps into the action, it drags the team down.
A More Balanced Game
Pickleball is about chemistry, movement, and mutual respect. Great doubles teams don’t just rely on one player to carry the load. They flow together, shifting roles as needed, and recognizing each other’s strengths. That means both players have to stay engaged, no matter which side of the court they’re on.
So if you’ve found yourself stuck on the right too often, it’s time to take a closer look. Are you giving yourself permission to be aggressive? Are you speaking up when the pattern doesn’t serve you? Are you and your partner truly working as a team — or just playing your parts?
Balance starts with intention. And when both players are active, vocal, and ready to contribute, the court opens up, the pressure eases, and pickleball becomes a whole lot more fun.