If you want to level up your pickleball game, practicing with intention is the key. Whether you’re a beginner looking to build a solid foundation or an advanced player refining your techniques, drills are essential for improving your footwork, control, accuracy, and reaction time.
This guide will cover:
✅ Why drills are important for pickleball improvement
✅ The best warm-up drills for better movement
✅ Hand-eye coordination drills to improve reaction time
✅ Serving and return drills for more accuracy
✅ Dinking, volleying, and third-shot drop drills
✅ Footwork drills to improve speed and positioning
By the end of this guide, you’ll have a full set of drills to practice on your own or with a partner—and you’ll start seeing results on the court!
1. Why Drills Are Important in Pickleball
Many players make the mistake of only playing games instead of practicing drills. While games are fun, drills help you:
✔️ Build muscle memory – Your body learns how to react instinctively.
✔️ Improve accuracy – More control over your serves, dinks, and volleys.
✔️ Increase reaction speed – Quicker reflexes help win fast rallies.
✔️ Develop better footwork – Helps you move efficiently on the court.
✔️ Enhance consistency – More consistency = fewer unforced errors.
📌 Pro Tip: The best players dedicate at least 30 minutes of drills before a match to sharpen their skills.
2. Warm-Up Drills for Better Movement
Before diving into serious training, always warm up properly to avoid injuries and improve mobility.
🏓 Drill #1: Shadow Footwork Drill
Purpose: Improves court movement and reaction time.
✔️ Stand at the baseline and imagine a real game.
✔️ Move side-to-side as if reacting to shots.
✔️ Shuffle forward to the kitchen and back to the baseline.
✔️ Repeat for 2-3 minutes before starting drills.
📌 Pro Tip: Keep your knees slightly bent and stay on your toes for quick movements.
🏓 Drill #2: Wall Bounce Drill
Purpose: Improves ball control and reflexes.
✔️ Stand 5-6 feet from a wall.
✔️ Hit the ball underhand against the wall.
✔️ Try to keep the ball bouncing within a small area.
✔️ Continue for 2 minutes, increasing speed as you improve.
📌 Pro Tip: Use a pickleball target sticker on the wall to aim for consistency.
3. Serving & Return Drills
A strong serve and return puts you in control of the point. These drills improve accuracy, placement, and power.
🏓 Drill #3: Deep Serve Accuracy Drill
Purpose: Develops precise and powerful serves.
✔️ Place cones or markers in the back corners of the service box.
✔️ Aim for these targets while serving.
✔️ Try to hit 10 serves in a row to the correct area.
📌 Pro Tip: A deep serve forces your opponent to stay back, giving you an advantage.
🏓 Drill #4: Return of Serve Placement Drill
Purpose: Helps return deep serves with control.
✔️ Have a partner serve deep to your side.
✔️ Focus on returning the ball deep toward the opposite backcourt.
✔️ Aim for consistency rather than power.
📌 Pro Tip: Try to return the serve with height, allowing you time to move forward.
4. Dinking Drills to Control the Kitchen Game
The kitchen (non-volley zone) is where most points are won or lost. Mastering soft dinks helps you stay in control.
🏓 Drill #5: Crosscourt Dinking Drill
Purpose: Improves dink placement and patience.
✔️ Stand diagonally from your partner at the kitchen line.
✔️ Hit soft, controlled dinks crosscourt.
✔️ Keep the ball low over the net and within the kitchen.
✔️ Continue for 2-3 minutes per side.
📌 Pro Tip: Focus on keeping your wrist soft and your shots controlled.
🏓 Drill #6: Dink to Volley Transition Drill
Purpose: Helps switch from dinking to attacking.
✔️ Start a slow dink rally with your partner.
✔️ After a few dinks, one player speeds up the ball into a volley.
✔️ The other player reacts and resets the rally with another dink.
📌 Pro Tip: Learning when to attack and when to dink is key to winning points at the net.
5. Volley Drills to Improve Reaction Time
Fast hands at the net help win quick exchanges against aggressive opponents.
🏓 Drill #7: Rapid Fire Volley Drill
Purpose: Improves reflexes and hand speed.
✔️ Stand at the kitchen line, facing a partner or coach.
✔️ Have your partner hit quick volleys at you.
✔️ Try to return each shot without letting the ball drop.
✔️ Keep the rally going for 30-45 seconds, then switch roles.
📌 Pro Tip: Focus on short, controlled paddle movements instead of big swings.
🏓 Drill #8: Paddle-Up Reaction Drill
Purpose: Trains fast reflexes for net play.
✔️ Hold your paddle in a ready position near your chest.
✔️ Have a partner stand 10 feet away and hit quick shots.
✔️ React as fast as possible, blocking the ball back.
📌 Pro Tip: The best players keep their paddle high and ready at the kitchen line.
6. Third Shot Drop Drills for Consistency
The third shot drop is one of the most important shots in pickleball. It allows you to move to the kitchen line safely without giving your opponent an easy attack.
🏓 Drill #9: Third Shot Drop Accuracy Drill
Purpose: Improves consistency on the most important shot.
✔️ Stand at the baseline and have a partner at the net.
✔️ Hit a soft, controlled third shot drop into the kitchen.
✔️ Try to land 10 shots in a row in the non-volley zone.
📌 Pro Tip: Aim for a high arc so the ball lands softly near the net.
7. Footwork Drills to Improve Speed & Agility
Good footwork helps you stay balanced and react quickly to shots.
🏓 Drill #10: Ladder Footwork Drill
Purpose: Improves quick steps and court coverage.
✔️ Set up a ladder or use chalk for footwork drills.
✔️ Practice side shuffles, forward/backward steps, and crossover steps.
✔️ Do 3 sets of 30 seconds before every match.
📌 Pro Tip: Light, quick steps make court movement smoother and more efficient.
8. Practice with the Right Gear for Maximum Performance
Drills are effective, but having the right pickleball gear helps you perform at your best.
👕 Moisture-Wicking Pickleball T-Shirts – A 50/50 DryBlend pickleball t-shirt keeps you comfortable, while the 100% Polyester Mesh pickleball t-shirt helps with sweat control.
🥤 Pickleball Tumblers – Stay hydrated with a pickleball-themed tumbler, perfect for keeping your drinks cold during long practice sessions.
Shop now at Big Green Pickle and take your training to the next level!
Final Thoughts
🏓 Drills improve consistency, accuracy, and reflexes.
🏓 Start with warm-up drills before intense training.
🏓 Master serving, dinking, volleys, and footwork.
🏓 Practice regularly to see real improvement in your game!
Now grab a paddle, hit the court, and start training like a pro!
