So, you’ve caught the pickleball bug—welcome to the club! Whether you’re still figuring out the difference between a dink and a drop shot, or you’ve already spent a few weekends battling it out with friends, you know this sport is seriously addictive. But here’s the deal: if you want to level up your game and become the kind of player who can confidently hold their own on the court, you’ve got to put in a little practice. That’s where pickleball drills come in!
Drills are exercises designed to isolate and work on a particular skill that will turn you from a pickleball newbie into a pickleball ninja, helping you sharpen your skills, boost your strategy, and outplay your opponents. In this article, we’ll dive into a variety of fun and effective pickleball drills that’ll have you serving, smashing, and dinking like a pro. Ready to up your game? Let’s get started!
The Benefits of Pickleball Drills
Pickleball drills are the secret to transforming your game from “just for fun” to “I mean business!” One of the benefits is improved hand-eye coordination. The more you practice, the less you’ll have to think about where that paddle should be to send the ball over the net (and not into your neighbor’s court). Regular drilling helps sharpen your reflexes, making you quicker on your feet when those unexpected shots come your way.
But it’s not just about fast hands and quick reactions. Drills are essential for fine-tuning your technique and building muscle memory, so your swings, serves, and returns become second nature. This means less time overthinking your next move and more time enjoying the game. Plus, working on your accuracy and control can help you develop strategic shots, like those tricky dinks and powerful smashes, to keep your opponents guessing.
Essential Drills for Skill Development
Cross-Court Groundstroke Drill
One of the best ways to build a solid pickleball foundation is by mastering your forehand and backhand groundstrokes (a shot made after the ball bounces). A great drill to improve these skills is the Cross-Court Groundstroke drill. This drill enhances hand-eye coordination and improves footwork and positioning, so you’re always ready for the next shot.
Grab a practice partner and position yourselves diagonally across from each other on the court to get started. Begin by rallying the ball back and forth using only your forehand groundstrokes,
aiming to keep the ball within the cross-court boundaries. After a few minutes, switch to backhand groundstrokes to give that side some love, too.
If you don’t have a partner, practice with a target. Stand on one side of the court and practice hitting forehand and backhand groundstrokes to the target. The goal here is to focus on consistency, accuracy, and control rather than power—keeping a steady rally will help you develop muscle memory and precision.
Four Corners Serving Drill
To practice the accuracy of your pickleball serve, place four items, such as disc cones, in each of the four corners of the service area diagonally from where you’re serving. Practice aiming your serves at each marker to get as close as possible while keeping the ball in bounds.
If you have a partner, have them stand in various spots along the baseline. Pay attention to which corner leads to weaker returns and adjust your strategy accordingly. Before you know it, you’ll be racking up points with service winners!
Kitchen Volley Drill
Volleying a dink (returning the ball out of the air without letting it bounce) cuts down on the time your opponent has to reset for their next play. Put a disc cone in front of you in the non-volley zone (NVZ or kitchen) and another in front of your opponent on the opposite side of the NVZ. As you start dinking, your goal is to keep the ball from hitting the disc cone. This forces you to take the ball out of the air when possible instead of backing away from the NVZ.
A pro tip for better dinking is to keep a relaxed grip on your paddle, which allows for better control of the ball.
Side-to-Side Shuffle
To improve lateral movement and quickness, try the Side-to-Side Shuffle drill. Start by placing two disc cones about 5-10 feet apart. Begin at one marker, then quickly shuffle laterally to the other marker, touching the ground beside it before immediately shuffling back to the starting point. Focus on maintaining a low, athletic stance to increase your stability and speed. Keep your movements short and quick, pushing off with your legs and engaging your core to help drive your momentum.
Skinny Singles Drill
This drill is perfect for simulating real match scenarios. The two players will use the full range of game shots—serves, dinks, drives, drops, and volleys—while incorporating the pressure of real-time playing. The goal is to practice making strategic decisions under pressure, simulating match conditions where you react quickly and intelligently to your opponent’s moves.
Skinny Singles drills are played and scored like regular singles [link to Pickleball Rules Singles blog], except you can only hit the ball cross-court into your opponent’s half of the court. If the ball isn’t hit cross-court into the appropriate half, it’s a fault. The first player to earn 7 points wins. You can also play down-the-line singles in the half of the court directly across from your opponent.
Tips for Effective Practice Sessions
Setting specific goals for each practice session improves focus and drive. Start by identifying what aspect of your game you want to improve—serving, volleying, footwork, etc. Break your session into segments, focusing on one skill at a time. For example, dedicate the first 20 minutes to serving accuracy, followed by 20 minutes of volley drills, and then wrap up with 20 minutes of dinking practice.
Track your progress during each drill and aim for measurable improvements, such as increasing your serve percentage or reducing errors during volleys. Varying the intensity and complexity of drills can also help simulate match conditions. Reviewing your goals and progress will help you stay motivated and continue improving.
Wrap-Up — Pickleball Drills
Drills are the secret sauce to leveling up your game! They help you fine-tune your skills, build consistency, and keep your play sharp. Plus, they make practice more fun and focused. So, go ahead, add these fun drills to your routine, challenge yourself, and watch your game soar. Consistent practice is the key, and who knows? You might surprise yourself with how fast you level up!
We’d love to hear from you—share your favorite pickleball drill in the comments below!
FAQ – Pickleball Drills
What are some effective pickleball drills for beginners?
Effective drills for beginners include the dink drill, where players practice soft shots near the net to improve control, and the volley drill, focusing on hitting volleys without letting the ball bounce. Additionally, practicing the serve and return can help establish a solid foundation in gameplay.
How can I improve my footwork in pickleball?
Improving footwork can be achieved through specific drills such as the ladder drill, which enhances agility and speed, and the side shuffle drill, which helps players move laterally while maintaining balance. Regular practice of these drills will enhance overall movement on the court.
What is the purpose of the non-volley zone (kitchen) drill?
The non-volley zone drill is designed to help players develop their skills in dinking and volleying while avoiding faults. By practicing shots within this area, players learn to control their paddle and improve their shot placement, which is crucial for effective gameplay.
How often should I practice pickleball drills?
For optimal improvement, it is recommended to practice pickleball drills at least two to three times a week. Consistent practice helps reinforce skills, build muscle memory, and enhance overall performance during matches.
What are some advanced pickleball drills for experienced players?
Advanced players can benefit from drills like the cross-court rally drill, which focuses on shot placement and angles, and the target practice drill, where players aim for specific areas on the court to enhance precision. Incorporating these drills into practice sessions can elevate competitive play.