I remember the first time I held a paddle and trust me, I was just as lost as anyone stepping into this exciting world for the first time.

I know how it feels when you’re standing there, a newbie, the court looking bigger than ever and the net somehow always too high.

But that’s where the beauty of pickleball lies. It’s simple, it’s fun, and with just a few essential drills, you can transform your game remarkably.

The journey from being a beginner to becoming an intermediate player, and eventually a pro, is all about practice, and more practice. It’s about knowing the basics and then perfecting them.

when I was starting and that I believe can help any beginner lay a strong foundation. So, whether you’ve just picked up a paddle or you’ve played a few games and want to improve, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive in!

what are drills in pickleball?

drill is like a practical exercise or a task we do over and over. Why? To get better, of course! It’s all about training our muscles, eyes, and brain to work together in harmony.

Now, you might be wondering – do I really need drills? Can’t I just play games? Well, playing games is fun, and it’s a big part of why we love pickleball. But games often don’t give us the chance to focus on improving specific parts of our game. That’s where drills come in!

Basic Pickleball Techniques for Beginners

The Serve

A pickleball game starts with a serve. The ball must be hit underhand and diagonally to the opponent’s side of the court.

The Return

After the serve, the return shot must bounce once before it’s hit, this is known as the two-bounce rule.

The Dink

A dink is a soft shot that is aimed at the opponent’s non-volley zone, also known as the kitchen. This shot is designed to limit the opponent’s shot options.

The Volley

A volley is a shot that is hit before the ball bounces. Volleys can only be played outside the non-volley zone.

Top Pickleball Drills for Beginners

Drill #1 – Deep Return Drill

• Number of Players: 2
• Skill Level: 1.0+
• Instructions:
  1. Player A will serve the ball to Player B.
  2. Player B focuses on returning the ball deep into Player A’s court.
  3. Repeat this process for a set number of times, then switch roles.

Drill #2 – Sideline Drills

• Number of Players: 2
• Skill Level: 1.5+
• Instructions:
  1. Both players stand on opposite ends of the sideline.
  2. Player A will hit the ball down the line to Player B.
  3. Player B returns the ball down the same sideline.
  4. Repeat the process, aiming to keep the ball as close to the sideline as possible without hitting it out.

Drill #3 – Third Shot Drop Drill

• Number of Players: 2
• Skill Level: 2.0+
• Instructions:
  1. Player A serves the ball to Player B.
  2. Player B returns the serve deep into Player A’s court.
  3. Player A practices their third shot by attempting a drop shot just past the net in Player B’s non-volley zone (kitchen).
  4. Repeat the process and switch roles after a set number of tries.

Drill #4 – Volley-Volley Drill

• Number of Players: 2
• Skill Level: 1.5+
• Instructions:
  1. Both players stand at their respective non-volley lines.
  2. Player A starts by hitting a volley to Player B.
  3. Player B volleys it back.
  4. Both players try to continue volleying the ball back and forth without letting it bounce.

Drill #5 – Lobs and Overheads Drill

• Number of Players: 2
• Skill Level: 2.0+
• Instructions:
  1. Both players start at the non-volley line.
  2. Player A lobs the ball over Player B.
  3. Player B runs back, sets their feet, and hits an overhead smash back to Player A.
  4. Player A then dinks the return back to start the cycle again.

Drill #6 – Serve and Return Consistency Drill

• Number of Players: 2
• Skill Level: 1.5+
• Instructions:
  1. Player A serves to Player B 10 times in a row.
  2. The goal for Player B is to return all of the serves into the serving area.
  3. Players switch roles after 10 serves.

Drill #7 – Kitchen Play Drill

• Number of Players: 2
• Skill Level: 2.0+
• Instructions:
  1. Both players start at the non-volley line.
  2. They rally back and forth only using dinks, trying to force the other player to make a mistake.

Drill #8 – Movement Drill

• Number of Players: 2
• Skill Level: 2.0+
• Instructions:
  1. Player A stays at the non-volley line and Player B starts at the baseline.
  2. Player A dinks the ball, forcing Player B to move forward to return it.
  3. Player A continues to dink, and Player B
  has to move back and forth between the baseline and non-volley line.

Drill #9 – Blocking Drill

• Number of Players: 2
• Skill Level: 1.5+
• Instructions:
  1. Both players start at the non-volley line.
  2. Player A hits volleys at Player B, who blocks and returns them.
  3. The goal for Player B is to control their blocks to land in the kitchen.

Drill #10 – Crosscourt Dinking Drill

• Number of Players: 2
• Skill Level: 2.0+
• Instructions:
  1. Both players stand diagonally at the kitchen line.
  2. They rally crosscourt only using dinks, aiming to sustain the rally and improve their control.

Drill #11 – Half Court Singles Drill

• Number of Players: 2
• Skill Level: 1.0+
• Instructions:
  1. Players play a half-court singles game, using only one half of the court.
  2. This helps improve movement, shot selection and consistency.

Drill #12 – Punch Volley Drill

• Number of Players: 2
• Skill Level: 1.5+
• Instructions:
  1. Players rally back and forth, with the goal of hitting punch volleys only.
  2. Punch volleys are volleys hit with a little more power and less arc.

Drill #13 – Drop Volley Drill

• Number of Players: 2
• Skill Level: 2.0+
• Instructions:
  1. Both players start at the non-volley line.
  2. Players rally back and forth, aiming to hit drop volleys that just clear the net and land in the kitchen.

Drill #14 – Bounce and Hit Drill

• Number of Players: 2
• Skill Level: 1.0+
• Instructions:
  1. Player A hits the ball to Player B, who lets it bounce, then hits it back.
  2. Player A lets it bounce, then hits it back. The goal is to maintain a consistent rally.

Drill #15 – Inside Out Forehand and Backhand Drill

• Number of Players: 2
• Skill Level: 2.0+
• Instructions:
  1. Players stand on the same side of the court.
  2. Player A hits a backhand shot cross court to Player B.
  3. Player B returns with an inside-out forehand shot down the line.
  4. Repeat for a set number of shots, then switch sides and roles.

Wrap it Up

Each drill we’ve discussed is a stepping stone, a building block to craft your skill, agility, and strategy.

I encourage you to not only practice these drills but make them a part of your pickleball routine.