The Only Six Pickleball Drills You'll Ever Need

Pickleball players of all levels often seek drills to improve their skills, enhance their reflexes, and gain an edge on the court.

Here, we break down six essential drills from a recent Kyle "ThatPickleballGuy" Koszuta video on YouTube that can help any player elevate their game.

These drills focus on the fundamentals of pickleball, from serves and returns to quick hand techniques. Each has practical, game-like scenarios to ensure you’re training with purpose.

1. Openers: Perfecting Serves and Returns

Serving and returning are the “openers” of every pickleball point.

Serving well forces your opponent into a defensive stance, while a strategic return keeps them back. This drill will have one person serve continuously, while the other focuses solely on returning.

The goal?

Place your serves and returns as deep as possible.

Actionable Steps:

Set a Target: When serving, aim for a deep spot in your opponent’s court. This forces them to stay back, giving you more control of the net.
Return with Purpose: Have a deep target for your return shot. A deep return will make it harder for your opponent to advance toward the net, allowing you more time to position yourself.
Game-like Movement: Don’t just hit the return and stay put; move forward as you would in a game, taking steps toward the kitchen line after each return.

2. The Charmin Drill: Mastering the Third Shot Drop

The third shot drop is a cornerstone of pickleball strategy, softening the pace of play and allowing you to approach the net.

This drill focuses on repetition, with one player at the kitchen line and the other at the baseline hitting controlled drops.

Actionable Steps:

Hit from Multiple Angles: Practice your drop shots from different court positions – straight, crosscourt from the left, right, and middle.
Aim for the Kitchen: Your drops should ideally land in the kitchen, forcing your opponent to hit upward and reducing their chance of a powerful return.
Adjust for Game Realism: Visualize actual play by switching up the positioning to simulate real match scenarios.

3. Space Invaders: Advancing to the Net

This drill focuses on advancing from midcourt (often called "no man's land") to the kitchen line, a crucial skill for effective net play.

Here, your goal is to invade that space while your partner tries to keep you back.

Actionable Steps:

Reset Shots: Practice “reset shots” to control the ball as you move up. The aim is to maintain soft control while pushing toward the net.
Build Progression: Start by completing two successful reset shots before advancing, gradually building confidence as you close in on the net.
Add a Competitive Element: Play to a score or set a timer to add intensity and mimic real-game pressure.

4. Setups: Dinking with Purpose

Dinking is a valuable skill for setting up an attack.

Rather than dinking defensively, use your dinks to move your opponent around, creating an opportunity for a strong offensive shot.

Actionable Steps:

Crosscourt Dinking: Alternate between crosscourt dinks and vary placements (outside foot, inside foot) to disrupt your opponent’s balance.
Aggressive Intent: Treat each dink as a setup for a potential attack rather than a passive play.
Timing the Attack: Be prepared to switch from dinking to an attacking shot once your opponent becomes off-balance or sends a high ball.

5. Tight Spaces: Precision in Up-the-Line Dinks

When dinking up the line, you’re working within a tighter space, which demands precision.

While crosscourt dinks give you room for error, this drill builds control, accuracy, and touch in closer quarters.

Actionable Steps:

Use a Smaller Space: Focus only on up-the-line dinks, avoiding crosscourt hits.
Emphasize Gentle Touch: Smaller court areas mean less room for error, so aim for soft, controlled hits.
Turn it into a Game: Keep it competitive by playing to a set number of points, allowing all types of attacks (lobs, speed-ups, hand battles) for varied practice.

6. Lightning: Quick Hands at the Kitchen Line

Pickleball is a fast game, and quick reflexes are critical.

Lightning drills hone your hand-eye coordination and reaction time, simulating the rapid exchanges that often occur at the net.

Actionable Steps:

Start with Controlled Speed: Begin with collaborative hits aimed at each other’s chest, then progress to more challenging downward shots.
Aim Low: Practice hitting down on the ball rather than engaging in a sustained rally, as a downward shot forces your opponent into a defensive position.
Use Multiple Balls: Keep a basket of balls on hand for continuous practice without interruption.

Bonus Drill: Skinny Singles for All-Round Improvement

Skinny singles is a fantastic way to integrate the skills from the previous six drills into one comprehensive practice.

This one-on-one format challenges all aspects of your game, including serves, returns, drop shots, and net play.

By focusing on these six essential drills, you can systematically improve your pickleball skills, whether you're new to the game or a seasoned player. Remember, consistent practice and repetition are the keys to mastering these techniques and elevating your game.