GAME-CHANGING Doubles STRATEGY Tactics | Briones Pickleball 

Have watched nearly all your videos over the years, Jordan. And this is probably my favorite. Please do more strategy breakdowns in the future. It gives us a chance to not only learn how pros 'think' but also a great opportunity to further develop many of your skills training concepts (footwork, preparation, recognition). Speaking of recognition, I don't think anyone has done a comprehensive video on shot RECOGNITION. Perhaps the hardest skill to learn is letting out balls go. How is it that in a firefight, pros routinely let balls go out, typically yelling the instant it is hit? It has to be "seeing" something in what the opponent is doing that indicates this likelihood. Some are better than most...first to come to mind is Riley Newman. We, as rec players, get caught up in the increased speed of the moment and think that unless we swing faster and react faster, we won't win the point, when in reality, we hit a ton of out balls because of the heat of the moment. Some kind of instruction that teaches us how to trust what we see, patterns in the play of opponents, opponents getting out of shape, etc... What is the secret to letting balls go? I played two pros last night...and they read every out ball I hit... Thanks, as always, Jordan!

Slow motion/break down/and repeat is easier to follow and incorporate into play...thanks for these types of tips, Jordan.

These are my favorite kind of videos! I found that once I passed the 3.5 level, strategy tutorials are what I really need. I love the breakdown too.

love the paddle positioning advice. Many random doubles partners will get frustrated and tell you to come to the net sooner. But, if you are mobile and quick, this is the right method. Once you start reading your team’s ball, you can judge how far to come in. And, very few mid-level players ever retreat from easy highball in order to defend. Thanks

Thanks, Jordan! Your single-point breakdowns are so instructional! Please, keep them coming!

I really appreciate these breakdown videos too. It’s good to know that sometimes staying back is the best strategy. I’m fairly new to the sport and want to learn the game the “right” way. Keep up the good work!

Since you have been producing so many beneficial "skill" videos through the years, it is a welcome change to have you produce these "strategy" videos! REALLY helpful to improving our game: keeping the ball low; dinking whenever possible; patience; partner responsibility; and body positioning. Slow-motion and stop-action, with your narratives, really makes understanding the strategy easy. Keep up the good work! I have shared your videos with several friends.

Thanks Jordan! This video keeps reminding me to get into that split step position, with my paddle low, because, you’re right, it’s coming back! I’ll keep working on that, thanks!

This is a FANTASTIC format for breaking down a single point and highlighting every part in repeated slow motion. Great video shots. Please do more of these - super helpful to point out five things at once: the location of the ball, and the positioning of the four players. Brilliant! 👍😎

This is fantastic, high definition, great camera angles, etc and your very explicit, helpful narration. I have no realistic expectation of trying to be a pro but your vids are beneficial right down to the beginner. Whether tiddlywinks or Pickleball, people want to master their game. It makes the game more fun when your shots are intentional, etc. Thank you. Excellent.

I find the breakdown of play very clear and explanatory. The slow motion format is wonderful. I want to particularly commend you on clearly identifying the players. This is a big weakness in other people's videos.

Recap 1:13 - Pesa has good deep return. Follows up to the kitchen line. 1:17 - third ball drop. Good posture from Carig indicates a good third ball drop. Joe begins to "lean" toward the kitchen. He assess the ball coming off Craig's pad. Ball is high. Craig stays at baseline and splits as he knows the ball is high. Joe steps back and splits too. 2:37 - fourth ball - Pesa takes the ball off the air and sends it cross court to the deeper player. Cross court means more room for margin of error. And sending to the deeper player means the player needs to handle the ball from much farther away. 2:51: Craig attempts the 5th ball drop. The ball is high but well within the kitchen. As result, Pesa needs to go very low to handle the ball in air, if not on bounce. Joe recognizes the advantage that Craig creates so he moves to the kitchen line. And he puts pressure on Pesa by moving in. 3:14 - Pesa responses with taking the ball on air very low with a slight top spin. And he sends the ball cross court back to the deeper player, again. He could have dinked across court, but he chooses to send it back deep. He avoids Joe who is at the kitchen line. Joe holds his position. 3:55 - Craig attempts his 7th ball drop. The ball is high, a "net level ball". Both Craig and Joe immediately know they will be under attack. Joe takes couple shuffle steps back to mid court and splits. And Craig stays at baseline and splits. 4:35: In response to the high ball, Pesa attacks Joe to try to catch Joe off guard. Joe has a great split, drops the pad to super low position, and executes a great reset, returning a net level ball (instead of a very high ball, being under attack) 5:05 - Pesa handles the net level ball again by sending it back to the deeper player. Note that both Craig and Joe are still stuck at the mid court and base line. But that is OK as they are patiently working their way to the kitchen line. 5:47 - Craig returns return another drop ball but this time the ball is much higher than the net level. Craig verbally warns Joe to "watch out". Joe is also aware by watching the ball off Craig's pad. Craig takes couple large step back and splits. Very wide and low body position, bend knees, drops paddle in preparation for the attack. 6:30 - Pesa attacks Craig. Craig hits a good reset. Pesa is unable to take the ball out of the air. He has to let the ball bounce. Joe and Craig both sprint toward the kitchen line to gain ground. Their objective is to get closer to the kitchen line so they won't get attacked at their fee. They both stop the sprint and split step as soon as Pesa hits the ball. 7:22 - Pesa again sends the ball to Craig. Craig is further away from the kitchen line and it is easier to send the ball to his feet. 7:34 - Craig gets low and hit a great reset to Briones. The ball is below the net, and the best Brione can do is take it off the air and dink it cross court. Couple dinks go by ... 8:20 - Craig pulls off the court. Joe moves from his side of the court to straddling the middle line. He is now covering the whole court. 9:05 - Craig dink is a bit high. Briones drops his paddle head down for attack. He attacks Joe as Joe is right in front and has least amount of reaction time. Brione tries inside out attack at Joe but the ball is high above net. Joe punches back that lands behind Briones. 10:15 - Briones digs the ball out. Both Pesa and Briones know the ball will be high so they both step back and takes wide low splits. 10:52 - Craig attacks by sending the ball back to Briones feet. Briones returns high again across court to Joe. The ball is well above the net. Joe attacks with a good stance, and a good forehand top spin. The attacking ball is extremely low, to the shin level of the leg. 11:25 - Both Briones and Pesa split very low and the pads are low. Briones pad is even lower than waist level. Both are in backhand position. They are on extreme defense. 12:20 - Craig's attack is way below net level. It is almost to the shin level of the leg. Pesa tries to dig it out. The ball is high. 12:30 - Craig attacks again. Both Briones and Pesa step back more and split lower. They have the pads well below the waist level for extreme defense. Pesa blocks the ball for reset but the ball hits the frame. The ball goes into the net.

Appreciate the slow motion analysis.

This is really, really good stuff, Jordan. I would love to see more of it!

I love your videos, and will second everyone in saying please do more strategy videos. These are amazing!!

I am trying to learn the game so I watch lots of point breakdown videos. This by far the most detailed demonstration of good tactics. Thank you very much for all your videos. All your hard work are really helping.

Love the slo- mo & dialog.😊

I know it’s been a year. But this is such a sick video!! I’d love to see more like this!

So true! Rec games are just for fun. To compete at a higher level having a partner that understands their Court responsibilities and positioning is 1 of the keys to winning competitive games! As always thsnks!

great job, great breakdown! nice to see some more high level play breakdowns for players that have gotten past the basics. Thanks!

I love how approx minute 8:30 your opponent straddles the middle line to help cover for his partner. but after all that work , pesca (sp?) hits Into net and that must feel crummy But that is PB. what I find interesting is how we must adapt to how the ball is being played, teachers will say never stray off the kitchen line and keep holding your toes tight to the kitchen line, but sometimes you have to back up a little bit and Briones and his partner show this very well 💪

Really enjoy the breakdown and analysis videos your doing. Keep up the good work!

Such a great way to analyze and learn from a point. Thanks. Would love to see more of these. All good players with high skills.

Jordan, EXCELLENT presentation!! After reading Brian T response below I must totally agree with him, so I will not repeat his word. Again Thankyou I am a 4.5/75 yr player and always want to learn and share with others.

I learn so much from your videos Jordan.

Liked seeing paddles contact balls and all positioning going on. It was slow enough to see topspin and backspin. Appeared to a non-high level that players forms are something to be copied. Pace of replay was in sync with your narrative - one did not get ahead of the other and repeated at a pace that can be followed. You made it understandable. Many thanks for a very educational video, Jordan.

There is so much meat to pick off the bones on this one point. Thanks for the highlights.

Super helpful! Please continue making these, excellent way to understand correct movement, reasoning and ways to improve. Thank YOU!

Great breakdown Jordan. Would love to see more video's like this with your breakdown and critique of the decisions made and strategies employed. Thanks!

I love these video analysis lessons! You break it down so well, and as a visual learner I see so much to learn from! Keep up the good work!

Originally, I thought Joe should've poached after Craig's 5th but on closer inspection, I think Pesa's shot cross-court enough. Good stuff

I’ve watched this video a few times since you released it and still find it so valuable. I hope you do more of these analysis type videos.

Awesome point Jordan. I love the commentary in real time. Learning so much from the commentary.

Jordan, this was an excellent video on breaking down the point and going thru your thought process. Keep them coming

Great video. I've watched so many of your instructional videos starring from PTPB to your current channel. They are all so awesome, useful and easy to understand. This analysis break down of game play with the various angles and slow mo just takes your instructional value to the next level. You're a great asset to the PB community. Your content and ability to teach via video is just awesome ! Thanks for doing it. It's clear your dedication and passion for the sport is beyond reproach !! Please do more of these strategy / explanation type videos. It's more of this kind of strategy / thinking process that will help intermediate levels move more to advanced.

I really liked the way you slowed things down & explain all the details. Thanks so much. 👍

Thanks so much for breaking this point down in slow motion. This is very useful!

Wow - fabulous teaching tool. I definitely need to practice reading balls quickly and keeping my paddle down lower on defence. Thanks Jordan. More like this, please!

loved the detailed point explanation. One of your best and most informative videos. More please

Thank you. Lots to learn. Keep up the open line.

Love these breakdown videos !

This video is so good. This weekend I played in a tournament, mixed doubles and both my partner and I are very good and work hard. Unfortunately the strategy of how to construct points and why to hit it to certain people like the back person, is not always part of instruction. Breaking it down like you have helps expose many opportunities I can begin implementing. Today in a rec game the fellow I was playing with mentioned things like “ we should not have hit it to him…” so this helps. The false advise often given and drilled into our heads about rushing to the kitchen line was clearly dispelled. Thank you. Please keep breaking these kinds of points down and help us understand the point construction and strategies.🎉

Love the detailed breakdowns of the points. Thanks!!

Again…so good! Love the strategy videos. 🙌🏼

Thanks for another great breakdown and analysis of play video, good stuff!

These are so good, love it

wonderful thank u so much!

Fantastic breakdown and pointers. Please keep em coming. I didn't appreciate the importance of the lower stance and to see it in this detail is so helpful.

Love this strategy class Jordan!

Great Vid, thanks for your tutorial!

That’s good stuff! Thank you

So helpful for those of us working on partnering strategies. Thanks so much!

Fantastic analysis. Amazing how much you can learn from one point!

Great breakdown Jordan. I learn a lot watching the games I record. Mostly how much I have to learn to play at a higher level.

A+++ Best game instructional video I have seen. I appreciate the technique videos that you have posted. But this one is about the game, how and when to use the various techniques. Outstanding. Thanks!

Excellent breakdown Jordan....so helpful

Excellent video on doubles strategy!!! I always wonder what’s going through high level players mind and what I can do to take my game to the next level. Would love to see more videos like this!!

great, very thorough analysis!

Great analysis. Really helpful.

Notice that with Craig back and Joe forward, Joe never dinked cross court to you which would have allowed you to go through a huge opening in their defense.

Great video. That's how a breakdown video should be done. Well done!

Great breakdown of the play!

Please please again and again this type of strategies videos. I heard what you told about Federer and it’s true also for you, I check your old video and your capacity to communicate clearly evolves so mutch. You are a fantastic coach. I’m a French Canadian from Montréal and I teach base on your videos. I sent the video to my group of student and during the drill I explain in french. Thanks Jordan, your the best. 🎉🎉🎉🎉

Great breakdown, I'm nowhere near this level yet, but it's great to see the play to aspire too explained in detail.

I loved it!

Excellent commentary Jordan. Cannot wait to get back on the courts

Great tips as always thanks! Moving with partner to best cover court is key tip 👌 😉 👍

@brionespickleball, this is amazing strategy analysis, and so helpful to watch with slo mo and Jordan's commentary. If you see this question, I'd love your take; on the 4th shot, where Pesa goes back at Craig cross court, wouldn't he have had a better advantage to use his backhand for a shot at Joe's feet in the transition zone?

Great video Jordan! Transition is so difficult for me. This slow and patient approach is a game changer! Also, low paddle when on defense isn't something I've ever noticed before.

Love the editing and camera angles!!! Great job Jordan. Do you offer analysis service when people send in clips?

Wow Pesa's paddle is stunning! Love that rainbow Vulcan V530 😍🥰

GREAT analysis, thanks Jordan. I love your explanation of the shot-by-shot strategy and some more advanced techniques like moving in sync with your partner and the low split-step on defense with the low paddle position. I also loved the stacking video you did with your wife, can't wait to try these all on the court tomorrow! Could you do a video on serve and return strategies?

Great content!

Awesome video Jordan

Many many points of decision making … wow… great highlighting of those decisions!

Excellent!

Best content on game play!

These are immensely helpful videos for me I've only played 6 times but I come from racket sports I'm an old guy coming into the game and I love it again these videos are immensely helpful!

Another great vid, keep yourself low , thanks for the advise. How about third shot strategies, drop verses drive? Thank you Jordan!

Really good video and analysis. Very helpful. I've been puzzled where to hold the paddle at NVZ because I was given different instructions, now I understand why the paddle should be held at waist level or lower when playing with high level players. But if playing with lower level players, the situation may be different because they most times will hit ball higher.

Jordan - this is such a great video and I love the breakdown of points on this videos and the ones with Caden. My friend Joy is coming to your intensive this week! Lucky girl! We’ve been recording our games but the slow motion and ability to freeze is so critical. What software do you use to get the slo mo and the ability to freeze on positions?

keep doing more of these pls

As a left hander I noticed your friend Pesa is also left handed. Do you have any strategic advice for duos who are comprised of left and right handers? Do you favor having both forehands in the middle, or do you prefer forehands on the outside? Is it enough of an effect to routinely shift position after the serve?

Appreciate the strategical breakdown--when u say there are many more things to mention--would have loved to hear u just list off several--to get an idea of the breadth of ur analysis--thanks

Great video

Great breakdown! Those at the net have a definite advantage.

I love the analysis and the slow motion video during the instruction. Resetting the video numerous times during each step was a little redundant for me, but otherwise good video.

Great breakdown of def play.

Great video. Extremely helpful tips. One question, at high level play would it of been beneficial to stack and put the forehands in the middle? With such detailed examination of this rally I was thinking, in the middle of the point, looks like if you were on the left side with a forehand you would’ve had a total put away. This breakdown of a point is so epic I hope you continue with these types of videos.

Excellent break down

Hello Jordan and team: thank you for the videos. I would like you to show and analyze a full sequence of a team going from the kitchen line in a full defensive mode to back of the court, as can be seen in many top pro games. Clearly, they are not holding their ground at any cost. How does one recognize it is better to go on defense? thank you. Enrique

Awesome point, way above my 2month level but very interesting. Thank you!

One thing I would like to learn is how to break down a video. What are the important things to look for and also how to determine what you are doing is correct or not

By watching your video, i have learned a lot and improved the levels. Thank you so much! Would you please teach us how to be a good pickelball players meanwhile protect our knees and ankles, not get injured?

Jason, your Slo-mo analyses are excellent. I want to start using video for our local training group of four. May I ask, what cameras do you use?

Excellent

Great breakdown! Thank you. Question, towards the end, when you are on defense, you two are 1-2 steps back behind the NVZ line. Wouldnt it be more optimal for you and Pesa to be closer to the line? Hit the defensive return, and take a step up? (around 11:32 into the video)

Why, when you’re at the base line, the attacked team don’t use the lobe shot ? I’m an intermediate player. Thanks and keep on your excellent work.

What type of camera would you recommend to use for match recordings?

Great analysis! How to defend