Pickleball drills

Start both players at the kitchen line on opposite sides of the net. Use half the court if needed so players can focus on clean contact and height control instead of covering too much space.

Read full drill →

One player returns from the baseline while the other serves gentle balls from the opposite baseline. Put a marker one step behind the kitchen line so the returner has a clear destination.

Read full drill →

Use all four players in a normal doubles formation. This drill is less about difficulty and more about making the first three shots automatic under real spacing.

Read full drill →

Place four flat markers in a small box pattern just behind the kitchen line. One player works the feet while a partner hand-feeds easy balls from across the net.

Read full drill →

One player stands at the kitchen line in ready position while the feeder stands across the net with several balls. The only technical focus is early preparation with the paddle out front.

Read full drill →

Use a smooth wall with a line or chalk mark representing net height. Players can alternate work or each use their own section if space allows.

Read full drill →

Place two targets deep in each service box and one larger target through the middle third of the court. Players alternate between serving and returning with a point system for location rather than pure legality.

Read full drill →

Each player uses only the right-side crosscourt kitchen lane, then repeats on the left side. Place a cone or towel three feet inside the sideline and three feet from the kitchen line as a soft target.

Read full drill →

One player feeds from the kitchen line while the hitter starts at the baseline. Use a full half court so the dropper gets realistic depth and visual spacing.

Read full drill →

Set one player at the baseline as server and the other at the kitchen line as returner. Use one half court and place a target cone near the returner's right hip and another through the middle seam.

Read full drill →

One player starts in the transition zone and the other at the kitchen line. Put two markers in the kitchen to create a triangle target: middle kitchen, forehand kitchen, and backhand kitchen.

Read full drill →

Start one player at the kitchen line and one player across the net with a basket or several balls. Use a full half court so the defender can retreat, play the overhead or bounce, and recover to the right position.

Read full drill →

Set up a normal doubles game but mark a two-foot seam down the middle of each side with temporary tape or an imaginary lane. Most feeds should be directed near that seam to force clear calls.

Read full drill →

Stand close to the wall, about six to eight feet away, and imagine the wall rebound as a firm volley coming from an opponent at the kitchen. This drill works best with a quieter indoor ball and deliberate pace.

Read full drill →

Set the ball machine to feed deep return-like balls to one side of the baseline. Place a visual target in the opponent's kitchen and leave enough space for the hitter to recover forward after each shot.

Read full drill →

This warmup is built for partners before a match and should move from simple contact to point-start patterns. Keep it purposeful and avoid using the entire block on flashy shots.

Read full drill →

Use full doubles positions with both teams at the kitchen to start. One side is designated as the lobbing team for the first round so the defending pair can focus on switching and recovery language.

Read full drill →

Set one target deep in the return box for the serve and two targets for the third ball: middle transition and opponent backhand hip. Players alternate complete serve-plus-one patterns from both sides.

Read full drill →

Use one crosscourt kitchen lane. The feeder stands at the opposite kitchen line and intentionally pulls the hitter wide with sharp dinks that travel outside the sideline after the bounce.

Read full drill →

Start both players at the kitchen line on a crosscourt dink pattern. Mark the sideline exit area with tape or a cone so the attacking player rehearses leaving the kitchen legally.

Read full drill →

Both players start at the kitchen line. One player is the attacker and feeds controlled speed-ups from below net height while the defender works on compact blocks and selective counters.

Read full drill →

Use a full doubles court with a fixed left-side and right-side partner assignment. Decide whether you are rehearsing full stacking, partial stacking, or stacking only on serve receive before the first ball is hit.

Read full drill →

Position the ball machine near the opposite kitchen line or midcourt with a faster, flatter feed into the torso and backhand shoulder. The hitter stands at the kitchen line in a compact ready stance.

Read full drill →

Play live doubles, but every point starts at a simulated high-pressure score such as 7-7, 9-9, or game point. Use normal rules and rotate who serves so both teams feel pressure on serve and return.

Read full drill →

Both players start in a crosscourt dink exchange. One cone is placed at the opponent's right hip and one through the middle to represent the safest speed-up lanes.

Read full drill →