Pickleball practice drills

How to practice with a purpose

Rec games are fun, but you may only hit a few third-shot drops or resets in a whole game. Drills let you hit the same shot dozens of times in a few minutes, which is how new habits form.

Three simple rules make drills worth the time:

1. Set a target. Count makes, not swings. "8 out of 10 into the kitchen" is better than "hit some drops."
2. Start easy, then add pressure. Begin slow and cooperative. Once you hit your target, add movement, speed or a live finish.
3. Track results. Write your scores down. Seeing 5 out of 10 become 8 out of 10 keeps you motivated.

The reps and targets below are starting points. Adjust them up or down so you are making most shots but still being challenged.

Solo drills

You need a paddle, a few balls and a wall or an empty court.

Wall dinks

Stand about 7 feet from a smooth wall. Mark a line at net height (about 34 to 36 inches) with tape or chalk if you can.

• Reps: 3 sets of 50 soft hits just above the line.
• Target: 20 in a row without the ball dropping or rising high.
• Progress: Alternate forehand and backhand, then switch to backhand only.

Wall volleys

Stand 6 to 8 feet from the wall and volley without letting the ball bounce.

• Reps: 3 sets of 30 to 60 seconds.
• Target: Keep a steady rally with a compact swing and the paddle in front.
• Progress: Step closer for faster hands, or alternate soft and firm volleys.

Serve targets

Place targets (cones, towels or chalk boxes) deep in each service box, about 3 feet from the baseline.

• Reps: 20 serves to each side, 40 total.
• Target: 32 of 40 in, with at least half landing in the deep third.
• Progress: Aim at the corners of the box or the middle line. See serve and return targets.

Drop feeds on an empty court

Stand at the baseline, drop a ball and hit a third-shot drop toward the opposite kitchen.

• Reps: 3 sets of 15.
• Target: 10 of 15 land in the kitchen.
• Progress: Hit from the transition zone, then alternate forehand and backhand.

Partner drills

These need two players and one net.

Cross-court dinking

Both players stand at the kitchen line, diagonally across from each other.

• Reps: 3 rounds of 2 minutes on each diagonal.
• Target: 15-ball rallies with every ball landing in the kitchen.
• Progress: Add a target zone near the sideline, then play to 11 points where any ball outside the kitchen loses the point.

Straight-ahead dinking

Same drill, but straight across the net. The distance is shorter, which demands softer touch.

• Reps: 2 rounds of 2 minutes.
• Target: 10-ball rallies without a pop-up above shoulder height.

Third-shot drop and reset

One player stands at the kitchen line and feeds deep. The other starts at the baseline and hits a drop, then moves forward and resets each ball until reaching the kitchen.

• Reps: 10 sequences, then switch roles.
• Target: Reach the kitchen line on 6 of 10 sequences without a missed or popped-up ball.
• Progress: The kitchen player starts adding occasional speed-ups.

Read the third-shot drop and the reset for technique.

Volley exchange

Both players stand a few feet behind the kitchen line and volley back and forth at moderate pace.

• Reps: 4 rounds of 45 seconds.
• Target: Keep the ball below chest height and the paddle in front.
• Progress: Move closer, add pace, or allow one player to speed up while the other blocks.

Serve and return depth

One player serves, the other returns deep, then both start again.

• Reps: 20 serves each.
• Target: 15 of 20 returns land in the deep half of the court.

Group drills

These need three or four players and work well for clubs and open play.

Skinny singles

Play singles using only half the court (one service box side, extended to the net). Dinks and drops must land in that half.

• Format: Games to 11, rally scoring, then switch halves.
• Focus: Patience, consistency and placement.

Two versus one dinking

Two players at the kitchen line on one side, one on the other. The solo player tries to keep up with both.

• Reps: 3 rounds of 2 minutes, rotate positions.
• Target: The solo player keeps 10-ball rallies going.

Transition gauntlet

Two players at the kitchen line. One or two players start at the baseline and must reset their way forward.

• Reps: 10 balls per player at the baseline, then rotate.
• Target: Reach the kitchen on 5 of 10 attempts.
• Progress: Kitchen players can attack any ball above net height.

King or queen of the court

Short games to 5 or 7 with winners staying on one side and challengers rotating in.

• Format: Rally scoring keeps games short and the line moving.
• Focus: Pressure and quick decisions.

Points from a set start

Start every point from a dink rally instead of a serve. All four players must hit three dinks before anyone can attack.

• Format: Games to 11.
• Focus: Patience and choosing the right ball to attack. See dinking patterns.

A sample one-hour session

Make the most of your drills

• Pick one or two focus areas per session instead of everything at once.
• Mix cooperative and competitive work. Start friendly, finish with points.
• Rest between sets. Short breaks keep your quality high.
• Return to games and notice when the drilled shot shows up under pressure.

For a longer plan, try our 30-day roadmap.

Sources

• USA Pickleball 2026 Official Rulebook