5 Tips for Practicing Pickleball Solo Like a Pro

Solo practice is your secret weapon to becoming a better pickleball player, whether you’re hitting on a court or sneaking in some drills at home. It’s all about taking charge of your improvement—sharpening your shots, building confidence, and polishing those fundamentals without anyone else in the mix. Plus, it’s kind of fun to have the court (or wall) all to yourself! Here are five friendly, expanded tips to make your solo pickleball practice both effective and enjoyable.  

1. Rally Against a Wall for Speed and Consistency  

Turn a plain wall into your new best pickleball buddy! All you need is your paddle, a pickleball, and a solid surface. Stand about 5-7 feet back and start hitting the ball against the wall, keeping it low and under control. Begin with basic volleys to get your forehand and backhand grooving, then level up by tossing in dinks, groundstrokes, or even some faster-paced shots. The idea is to keep that rally alive as long as possible—it’s like a personal challenge to beat your own record! This drill boosts your hand-eye coordination, keeps your reaction time razor-sharp, and builds the kind of consistency that’ll make you a steady force on the court.  

Pro Tip: Set a fun goal—like 20 or 30 hits without a miss—and track your progress. As you get the hang of it, crank up the speed or aim for a specific spot on the wall to mimic those quick volley exchanges you’ll face in a real game. It’s you versus the wall, and you’re winning!  

2. Master Your Serve with Repetition  

Your serve is your golden ticket—it’s the one shot where you’re totally in the driver’s seat, every single time. Solo practice is the perfect chance to make it a masterpiece. Head to a court (or mark out a space at home) and set up targets—think cones, towels, or even chalk circles—on the opposite side. Practice aiming for those spots, playing with different spins, speeds, and depths to find your sweet spot. Maybe you want a deep, spinning serve to push your opponent back, or a sneaky short one to catch them off guard. The key is repetition: the more you do it, the more it becomes second nature, so you’ll step up to the line in a match feeling cool, calm, and collected.  

Pro Tip: Commit to 20-30 serves per target to really dial in that precision. Mix it up by switching between flat serves, topspin, or slice—variety keeps it interesting and preps you for anything. Before you know it, your serve will be a weapon your opponents dread!  

3. Perfect Your Dinks with Soft Touch Practice  

Dinking is like the gentle art of pickleball—it’s all about finesse, not force, and it’s a must-have skill for dominating the kitchen (that non-volley zone near the net). For this, grab your paddle and find a wall. Mark a line or spot about 34 inches off the ground (that’s net height) and stand 6-8 feet away. Now, softly tap the ball toward that mark, aiming for it to bounce back nice and gentle near your feet. It’s all about control here—think of it like dropping a feather, not smashing a hammer. This drill sharpens your touch, so you can place those dinks exactly where you want them in a game, frustrating your opponents with shots they can’t quite reach.  

Pro Tip: Keep it slow and steady at first—focus on the feel of the paddle and the ball. Once you’re nailing it, try angling your shots left or right to practice directional control. You’ll be a dinking wizard in no time, ready to rule the kitchen!  

4. Target Practice for Pinpoint Accuracy  

Want to drop shots where your opponents can’t get them? Target practice is your answer. Set up targets around the court—or your practice area—like cones, ball tubes, or even chalk outlines. Then, take aim with your volleys, dinks, or drives. This isn’t just about hitting hard; it’s about hitting *smart*. You’re training your brain and body to place the ball with precision, which is a huge advantage when you’re strategizing against a real opponent. Move the targets to different spots—deep corners, sidelines, or right near the net—to keep it dynamic and game-like. It’s a blast to see your accuracy improve!  

Pro Tip: Challenge yourself to hit each target five times in a row before moving it. If you’re feeling bold, time yourself or add more targets to simulate a fast-paced rally. The more you practice, the more you’ll control the court like a pro!  

5. Switch Up Forehand and Backhand Drills  

Your forehand and backhand are the bread and butter of your game, so let’s make them rock-solid. Against a wall, alternate between the2 two shots, focusing on the basics: grip, stance, and a smooth follow-through. Start with slow, deliberate hits to get the motion down pat—think quality over quantity. As you build confidence, pick up the pace or throw in some variety, like high lobs or low groundstrokes. This drill locks in muscle memory, so when a ball comes flying at you in a match, you’re ready to return it with ease, no matter which side it’s on.  

Pro Tip: Spice it up by aiming for different wall spots or mixing in a few dinks between shots. If you’ve got a court, practice moving side to side as you hit to mimic real footwork. You’ll be amazed how solid your strokes feel after a good session!  

Why Solo Practice Rocks  

Solo pickleball practice is a total win—you don’t need a partner, a fancy court, or even a ton of space to make serious strides. Whether you’re rallying against a wall at home or perfecting your serve on the court, you’re in control of your growth. These five tips, inspired by pros like Will East, zero in on key skills: hand speed, shot placement, touch, and consistency. It’s all about working at your own pace, tweaking what needs work, and having a little fun along the way.  

Get Out There!  

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your paddle, find a wall or a court, and dive into these drills. Every minute you put in is a step toward a stronger, smarter game. Practice doesn’t just make perfect—it makes progress, and your next match will show it. Your future self (and maybe your future opponents) will thank you for the effort.