Pickleball Drills to Improve Your Game & Consistency
If you’re new to pickleball or looking to level up your skills, practicing the right drills can make a huge difference (the biggest game changer for Coach Luke!). Drills help improve consistency, control, and confidence on the court—so the more you practice, the better you'll play! Look online at how often the pros train/drill vs. game time! Here are some great drills for beginner and lower-intermediate players which should compliment your coaching lessons well:
1. Dinking Drill (For Soft Touch & Control)
Dinking is an essential skill in pickleball, especially at the kitchen (no-volley) line.
How to do it:
Stand at the kitchen line with a partner.
Hit soft dinks back and forth, keeping the ball low over the net.
Focus on control rather than power.
Remember technique and footwork!
Recommendation: try hitting cross-court dinks or adding movement side to side to simulate game play.
2. Wall Rally Drill (For Hand-Eye Coordination)
No partner? No problem! A wall is a great practice tool.
How to do it:
Stand a few feet away from a wall and hit the ball against it.
Try to keep the ball at a consistent height.
Alternate between forehand and backhand shots.
This helps with consistency and reaction time. If you can put a target on the wall to see how many times in a row you can hit it!
3. Drop Shot Drill (For Better Soft Game)
The drop shot (or often called 3rd shot drop) is key for transitioning from the baseline to the net.
How to do it:
Stand at the baseline and have a partner feed you deep shots.
Instead of hitting hard, aim for a soft, controlled drop shot that lands in the kitchen.
Focus on a gentle touch with an open paddle face.
A common game for this drill is called “7-11” where the player(s) at the kitchen has to score 11 points and the player at the baseline as to score 7 points. Focus on split step and controlled movement to the kitchen
4. Serve & Return Drill (For Accuracy & Consistency)
A strong serve and return set the tone for the point.
How to do it:
Practice serving deep to different areas of the court.
Have a partner return your serves, aiming to place them deep as well.
Coach Luke tip: Try Skinny Singles! this is a great game to improve those skills for doubles play.
Your next read: Recommended Safety Equipment for Pickleball Players
By practicing these drills regularly, you’ll improve your consistency and confidence in real matches. Want to take your game further? Join our pickleball coaching lessons in Auckland for expert guidance and advice.
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