ADVANCED by KYLE MCMAKIN
Drilling with Purpose:
How to Train Like a Pro, Plus a Winning Pre-Match Warm-Up Routine
Drilling is the foundation of high-level pickleball. The difference between good players and great players isn’ t just how well they can execute a shot— it’ s how well they can execute it under pressure, in any situation, without missing. And that level of consistency comes from intentional, focused drilling. If you’ re looking to take your game to the next level, it’ s time to rethink how you practice.
A proper drilling routine starts with three key elements: identifying weaknesses, practicing with precision, and training until you can’ t miss.
Step 1: Identify What You Need to Work On
Before you step onto the court, you need a game plan. What parts of your game are holding you back? The best way to figure this out is by tracking your errors during play.
• Film yourself playing and make a note of your most common mistakes.
• Keep a simple tally sheet after a few games— count your missed dinks, third-shot drops, volleys and attacks.
• Analyze patterns. Are you missing wide? Hitting balls into the net? Losing counterattacks?
For example, if you find that you’ re missing a lot of attacks out of the air, take it a step further: Are you attacking out of your strike zone? Are your shots too easy to counter? Are you mistiming the ball? Identifying the exact mistakes is the first step toward fixing them.
Step 2: Drill with Precision
Once you know what to work on, it’ s time to drill— but not just any kind of drilling. Mindless repetition won’ t get you far. You need focused reps that correct your mistakes and reinforce good habits.
Drilling with a Partner
One of the best ways to drill is with a training partner who can give you real-time feedback. Here’ s an example: You’ re working on attacking out of the air at the kitchen line. Your partner feeds you a neutral dink. You attack the ball, and they either counter or reset. If your shot was off, they tell you why( e. g.,“ That was behind your body— try attacking more in front of you.”). You adjust and repeat.
To take it a step further, film yourself. Seeing yourself in action helps confirm whether you’ re making corrections or reinforcing bad habits. Compare your footage to pro players— does your shot look like theirs? If not, adjust until it does.
Drilling with a Ball Machine or Wall
If you don’ t have a partner, use a ball machine or a wall. The key is to re-create game-like situations. For example, don’ t just hit third-shot drops aimlessly— simulate the pace and depth of a real return, and make sure you’ re placing the ball where you want it.
Step 3: Train Until You Can’ t Miss
The most dominant men’ s player of this era of pickleball, Ben Johns, once said,“ Good players drill until they can do it. Great players drill until they can’ t miss.” That’ s the mindset you need.
• Don’ t move on from a drill just because you did it right a few times. Do it until it’ s automatic.
• Feel the difference between a well-executed shot and a mistake— your body should know when it’ s right.
• If your consistency drops, slow down, reset and refocus.
Pre-Match Warm-Up Routine: How to Get Ready the Right Way
Most players warm up for five minutes, hitting a few dinks, a couple of drives, and a third-shot drop or two before jumping into a game. This minimal approach may be enough to wake up your body, but it’ s nowhere near enough to prepare you for high-level play.
If you’ re serious about performing at your best, you should spend at least 20 to 30 minutes on a structured warm-up that primes every part of your game.
Here’ s a detailed warm-up routine to follow before matches, tournaments or even important recreational games:
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