to change the depth and rhythm. A short return of serve can be especially effective when hitting into the wind. How to Practice When doing crosscourt and down-the-line groundstroke drills, set up for a normal drive but take some pace off every third ball just to break up the rhythm. For both players to benefit from the drill, it is an opportunity for your drilling partner to practice approach shots as well.
Players A and B are hitting crosscourts. Player A hits two crosscourt shots deep then one short. Player B approaches the net( he is the one receiving the short ball). Player A can now practice a third-shot drop or a drive. If Player A hits a drive, Player B can practice his drop volley. Create a drill that has more than one component. That keeps everyone concentrating and watching the ball.
5. A Down-the-Line Return
When and Why
Players work hard to perfect a deep return down the middle to prevent giving opponents an angle. Lowerrated players often return crosscourt because it is an easier, safer shot. There are two situations that call for a down-the-line return from the forehand( right) side of the court. If the weaker opponent is in the backhand( left) court or if the opponent in the backhand court has a weak backhand, you may want to drive the ball down the line to that weaker player’ s backhand.
In mixed doubles, if the stronger player is in the backhand court, you may want to drive the ball down the line to trap him deep, otherwise he will race to the NVZ line and set up to poach. Keep him back as long as you can. How to Practice Player A practices serves while Player B returns down the line at a cone positioned in the backhand corner. If you have three players, the third player practices his third-shot drop and comes into the net and you play out the point.
6. Head-On Dinks
When and Why
Players practice dinking crosscourt and down the line. They work on sharp angles. Reaching for the ball gives angles and creates openings. And most players hit better shots when they reach for the ball rather than when they are jammed. If you are getting out-angled, you may want to try dinking right at your opponent.
He won’ t have much of a shot if you keep the ball low. He must think what to do when there is not an obvious angle. You may catch him off guard and he may be impatient when there is not a good shot available.
How to Practice
When you do your dink drills, you need to go wide, down the middle, and head-on. Be capable of moving the ball around and giving your opponents a nothing ball. They then must create a strategic shot because there is not an obvious one.
7. The Lob Volley
When and Why
When your opponents are at the net and they are leaning forward waiting to pounce on a mishit or an attackable dink, it is time to loft a lob over the opponent’ s backhand. This changes the rhythm, and it will make them wary of closing in tight to the NVZ line. Let them know you own this shot.
When your opponent is dinking, he is hitting a soft, slow ball, so you have time to choose when to lob. You want to get the opponent off the NVZ line and into a defensive position. How to Practice There are several fun dink drills. Warm up by playing a game using only the NVZ, including the serve. Every ball must land inside the NVZ. Then the next game, play inside the NVZ until the sixth hit. It must be a lob. In the third game, play inside the NVZ until the sixth hit and anything goes. Mix it up. Make sure you don’ t give away your intention to lob.
Have your dink, your drive and your lob all begin with the same preparation. Be sure to exaggerate your follow-through on the lob to keep control since you are standing in close to the net.
You can create your own purposeful shots and your own drills based on your competition. There is plenty of room for creativity in pickleball. Observe your opponents. See what they like to hit, then don’ t give it to them. If they like pace, slow it down and feed them marshmallows. If they crowd the net, lob them back off the net. Remove their comfort zone.
Have a reason for every shot you hit and know what response you will likely get in return. Purposeful play is more challenging, and it is the direction that better pickleball is heading. •
Alice Tym was ranked 13th in the world for tennis in the’ 60s. She’ s been named USPTA Coach of the Year and is a USPTA Master Professional. As a 4.5 pickleball player, she has won gold in Huntsman, NSGA Nationals, US Open and USA Pickleball events around the country. Alice is an IPTPA member, SSIPA founding board member, Bainbridge Cup Originator and gold medalist in Spain, Italy and Germany.
SPRING 2026 | MAGAZINE 31