10 Essential Pickleball Drills to LEVERAGE, BOOST your Game like a Pro

Pickleball, a thrilling mashup of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, is taking over courts everywhere with its fast-paced, welcoming vibe. For beginners, getting a handle on the paddle and conquering court challenges like dinking, volleying, and kitchen rules can seem tricky. Structured pickleball drills are your secret weapon to build skills and confidence. This article lays out 10 beginner-friendly drills, each with clear, step-by-step tips to sharpen your paddle game and get you rallying like a pro. Grab your paddle and let’s dive into the pickleball action!

10 Essential Pickleball Drills to LEVERAGE, BOOST your Game like a Pro 📸Benoit Vincent

New pickleball players often find themselves tangled in the game’s unique quirks, whether they’re switching from other racquet sports or starting from scratch. The sport demands a mix of soft dinks, crisp volleys, and smart court positioning. To help beginners overcome these early hurdles and boost their performance, here are 10 pickleball drills crafted to enhance your skills and elevate your game: 

1. Groundstroke Consistency Drill

This pickleball drill hones your ability to hit controlled, accurate groundstrokes, the foundation of solid baseline play.

Tips:

Stand at the baseline and rally with a partner, focusing on steady paddle swings to keep the ball in play. Aim for a smooth, consistent rhythm, like a paddle ticking in time. As you gain control, gradually ramp up the speed of your shots, targeting 10 rallies without a miss to build a reliable groundstroke game.

2. Dink and Drop Drill

The dink and drop drill sharpens your finesse in the non-volley zone, teaching you to place soft shots that challenge opponents.

Tips:

Position yourself at the kitchen line with a partner and trade gentle dinks, keeping shots low and close to the net. Mix in drop shots that just clear the net, forcing your partner to scramble. Focus on precise paddle angles to hit the kitchen’s edges, making it tough for opponents to attack your pickleball shots.

3. Serve and Volley Drill

This drill strengthens your serve-and-volley strategy, helping you turn a strong serve into net dominance.

Tips:

Start at the baseline, serve deep to your partner, then charge to the kitchen line to volley their return. Keep your paddle raised and use quick footwork to secure your net position. Practice smooth transitions to make your serve a springboard for a winning pickleball volley.

4. Sideways Dinking Drill

This pickleball drill boosts your lateral movement and dinking control, keeping you sharp across the kitchen.

Tips:

Stand at the kitchen line with a partner across the net and dink back and forth while sliding sideways along the line. Stay low and keep your paddle steady for consistent, soft shots. This builds your ability to cover the court’s width while landing precise dinks in fast-paced pickleball rallies.

5. Third Shot Drop Drill

The third shot drop drill develops the touch needed for a soft, precise shot that lands in the opponent’s kitchen.

Tips:

After your partner returns your serve, let the ball bounce once, then loft a gentle third shot drop into their kitchen. Focus on a soft paddle touch over power, aiming for a delicate arc. Practice 20 drops in a row, switching roles, to master this key pickleball move for countering net-rushers.

6. Poach and Putaway Drill

This doubles drill improves your ability to poach shots and finish points with a powerful putaway.

Tips:

Play a doubles match, signaling your partner to poach by intercepting an opponent’s shot. After poaching, fire a putaway into open court, timing your move by reading the opponent’s paddle. This sharpens teamwork and paddle aggression, helping you end pickleball points with confidence.

7. Cross-Court Dinking Drill

This pickleball drill refines your precision for cross-court dinks, opening up the court and stretching opponents.

Tips:

Stand diagonally from your partner and dink cross-court, aiming for the far kitchen corner with low, accurate shots. Keep your paddle controlled for tight placement, mixing up shot depth to keep opponents guessing. This builds your ability to control rallies with strategic pickleball shots.

8. Defensive Lob Drill

The defensive lob drill enhances your ability to reset points with a well-timed lob when opponents crowd the net.

Tips:

From near the baseline, with your partner at the kitchen, hit a high, deep lob to their backcourt when they charge forward. Aim for enough height to push them back, resetting the rally. Practice consistent lobs to make this a go-to pickleball defense move under pressure.

9. Footwork Agility Drill

This drill improves your court movement, ensuring you’re ready to chase any pickleball shot.

Tips:

Set up cones in a zigzag pattern on the court and weave through them quickly, paddle in hand, using short, nimble steps. Focus on agile footwork to stay in position for dinks, volleys, or drops. This boosts your speed and readiness across the pickleball court.

10. Game Simulation Drill

This pickleball drill recreates real match scenarios, helping you apply skills under game-like pressure.

Tips:

Play a full match with your partner, incorporating dinks, volleys, drops, and lobs from your drills. Focus on strategic shot choices and discuss what worked or needs tweaking afterward. This ties your paddle skills into competitive play, preparing you for intense pickleball rallies.

Which pickleball drill will you try first? These 10 drills are your paddle’s blueprint for success, targeting essential skills like groundstrokes, dinks, and lobs to transform your beginner game. Practice regularly, stay focused, and enjoy the thrill of mastering pickleball!

FAQ:

How often should I practice these pickleball drills?

Aim for two to three sessions a week to see steady improvement in your paddle skills.  

Can I practice pickleball drills alone? 

Yes, use a wall for groundstrokes or practice serves and third shot drops solo for effective paddle work.  

Are these drills good for new pickleball players?

Absolutely, they’re designed for beginners to build a solid foundation and grow court confidence.  

How long should a pickleball drill session last?

Target 30 to 60 minutes, focusing on quality paddle practice over long sessions.  

When should I add these drills to my routine? 

Include them after a warm-up or dedicate days to skills like dinking or volleying for focused pickleball growth.