Pickleball Drills to Level Up Your Game

Hello, fellow pickler! Are you trying to level up your game? You’re in the right place.

Pickleball is a sport that can be competitive. Are you aspiring to be like pro pickleball players Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters who compete in major pickleball tournaments? Don't get stressed, they also started as beginners and they put in a lot of hard work to get where they are now. I'm sure you'll be great at pickleball too. Just remember that even if it's easy to learn, you still have to invest your time to improve your skills. Lucky for you, there are drills for pickleball you can do to get better at the game.

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In this blog we will discuss the following:

• Pickleball Drills for Serve
• Accuracy Serving Drills for Pickleball
• Target Practice
• Corner Shots
• Consistency Pickleball Drills for Serving
• Serving Marathon
• Serve with a Partner
• Return Shot Pickleball Drills
• Deep Return Pickleball Drill
• Practice Return with a Partner
• Pickleball Drills for Dink
• Target Practice
• Practice with a Partner
• Pickleball Drills for Lob
• Toss the Ball
• Consistency and Accuracy Drill
• Pickleball Drills for Volley
• Accuracy and Consistency Drills for Pickleball Volley
• Target Practice
• Wall Volley
• Volley with a Partner

Pickleball Drills for Serve

The serve in pickleball is what will set the game for you. When playing pickleball, the serving team is the only one who can earn scores so you have to do it right from the start. Here are pickleball drills to help you improve your serving.

Accuracy Serving Drills for Pickleball

Accuracy is important when doing a serve. You have to send the ball diagonally towards your opponent’s court, it can’t land on the kitchen, and you have to be behind the baseline to do it. If you accurately do a serve and your opponent fails to return it, you immediately get a score.

Target Practice

Set targets on the opposite side of the court where your opponent is supposed to be. Targets can be anything from random things to tape or markers. Aim to hit those targets accurately. If you’re having trouble hitting the targets, that’s ok. Start with bigger targets, like a friend (of course you’re not going to hit them specifically). Once you’re getting better at bigger targets, gradually change them for smaller ones.

Corner Shots

Aiming to hit the corners of your opponent’s court from the baseline is one of the best serve drills for pickleball. This helps you improve your accuracy by trying to hit a target that’s too far. If you’re still new, try to aim for the inner corners of their court first.

Consistency Pickleball Drills for Serving

Serving Marathon

Try to do as many serve as you can without making a mistake. This can also be a fun way to beat your record and see your progress.

Serve with a Partner

This is one of the pickleball drills for two that you can do. Get a partner and do serves with each other. You can also practice doing a return of serve. If you’re still starting, start with just the serve and once you’re better, include the return.

Return Shot Pickleball Drills

Deep Return Pickleball Drill

When returning a serve, or any shot for that matter, your goal is to push your opponents back to your baseline so you can control the net. Practice hitting the ball high and deep from your baseline. Once you’re good at hitting high and deep, practice going to your non-volley zone after hitting a return shot.

You can also try this with a partner so you both can practice. Try serving and then returning it to each other. You can play out scenarios of how to go to the NVZ while the other is returning the shot.

Tip: When going to your NVZ, don’t rush and run towards it. This may just panic you and not give you enough time to get ready for the next shot. Instead, take micro steps so you can get back to your ready position.

Practice Return with a Partner

This is one of the pickleball drills for two that you can do. Practice returning a shot with your partner on the other side of the court. This is a great drill because you can do scenarios like if you’re by the baseline and you’ve already approached the net, but then your partner returned the ball deep, what will be your next action?

Pickleball Drills for Dink

The dink in pickleball is a soft shot with a low trajectory. Your goal when doing a dink is for it to land in your opponent’s kitchen to neutralize them. Accuracy is very important for this kind of shot.

Target Practice

Set up targets on the opposite side of the net. Start with the targets a little far from the kitchen and gradually move them closer until they’re inside the kitchen. Don’t rush to move the targets. Focus on hitting them to improve your accuracy.

You can also purchase a dink training pad to help you with accuracy. You can set it up in the court or on the wall.

Practice with a Partner

Practicing dinks with a partner is also one of the best pickleball drills for two. You and your drill partner can stand on each side of the kitchen line and practice dinking with each other. This helps you improve accuracy and consistency. 

Pickleball Drills for Lob

Toss the Ball

The lob in pickleball is a high-arcing shot that clears the net and is meant to land on your opponent’s baseline. One of the effective drills for pickleball lob is tossing the ball using your hand. This is so your hand can get used to swinging up.

Tip: When practicing tossing the ball, do it like you’re throwing a pitch in softball.

Consistency and Accuracy Drill

Practice hitting a lob to different areas of the court like your opponent’s baseline or the kitchen. Practice consistently making the ball clear the net.

Pickleball Drills for Volley

Accuracy and Consistency Drills for Pickleball Volley

The volley in pickleball is the shot you hit before letting the ball bounce. You can make this shot from anywhere in the court, except the NVZ, so it’s important that you improve your accuracy and consistency.

Target Practice

Practice volleying to one part of the court. Once you’re used to it, start practicing volleying to different parts of the court. After that, practice being on different parts of the court.

Wall Volley

If you don’t have a partner but want to practice a rally, you can do wall volleys. This way, you can practice consistently hitting a volley.

Volley with a Partner

If you have a partner available, perfect! You can do the pickleball drills for two. You can practice rallying with a real person and create scenarios so you can get better at volleying. Practice being at different parts of the court so you’ll get used to it.

Pickleball drills help improve your skills. You can do them no matter your skill level. Accuracy and consistency are important in pickleball (among other things). If you want to get better at playing, following these drills will be extremely helpful to you.

Pickleball Training FAQs: Your Questions Answered

1. What are the essential skills needed to excel in pickleball?
To excel in pickleball, you need a combination of skills, including serving accuracy, strong footwork, effective shot selection, and strategic thinking. Mastering these foundational skills will enhance your gameplay. Regular practice of drills focusing on serves, returns, volleys, and dinks will build muscle memory and improve consistency. Moreover, developing good communication with your partner during doubles play is crucial for team coordination and strategy.

2. How often should I practice my pickleball drills?
Consistency is key in improving your pickleball skills. Ideally, aim for 2-3 practice sessions per week, focusing on specific drills each time. If possible, dedicate time to solo drills (like wall volleys) as well as partner drills to enhance both your individual and collaborative skills. Short, focused practice sessions (30-60 minutes) can be more effective than longer, less structured practices, allowing for quality over quantity.

3. Can pickleball drills be modified for different skill levels?
Absolutely! Pickleball drills can be tailored to suit all skill levels. Beginners might focus on basic accuracy drills and short distances, while intermediate and advanced players can incorporate more complex scenarios and target practices. As you progress, challenge yourself by increasing the distance, speed, and difficulty of the drills, or by practicing with more skilled partners.

4. What is the importance of footwork in pickleball?
Footwork is crucial in pickleball as it directly impacts your ability to hit the ball effectively. Good footwork allows you to position yourself optimally for each shot, maintain balance, and react quickly to your opponent's movements. Incorporating agility and footwork drills into your training regimen will enhance your overall game by improving your speed, coordination, and shot execution.

5. How can I measure my improvement in pickleball?
Tracking your progress is essential for continuous improvement. Keep a journal to log your practice sessions, noting the drills you performed and your performance outcomes. Additionally, consider recording your scores during practice games to assess your competitive performance over time. Reflect on specific areas where you excel and identify weaknesses to target in future practices.

6. What should I do if I find myself getting frustrated during practice?
Frustration is a common experience in sports, especially when learning new skills. When you feel overwhelmed, take a short break to clear your mind and refocus. It might also help to adjust your practice routine—concentrate on simpler drills that build confidence before tackling more challenging skills. Remember, improvement takes time; maintain a positive mindset and celebrate small victories along the way.

7. Are there any recommended resources for improving my pickleball game?
Yes! Numerous resources are available for pickleball enthusiasts. Consider books like "Pickleball 5.0: Improve Your Game Through the Art of Self-Analysis" by Joe and Sara Fanucci, or online platforms such as YouTube, where you can find instructional videos from professional players. Joining a local pickleball club or taking lessons from a certified coach can also provide valuable insights and tailored feedback to enhance your skills further.