A two-player defensive lob drill using cones has Vic feeding lobs then scrambling to stay in the point by high , deep defensive lob recovery . You can place the cones anywhere for overhead practice but the key to the drill is lob height to buy time to get back into the point . You are not lobbing to help the other player practice overheads . You are lobbing to buy time . The player hitting overheads should try to put the ball away but at the designated cone . Placement then defense .
A good drill to improve your NVZ defense is to place both players at their NVZ lines . Start the drill by being head-on then later do the same drill on the diagonal .
Players A and B hit controlled volleys , balls that are placed and playable by the opponent . Player A begins by hitting all volleys crosscourt while Player B breaks the angle and goes down the line on every volley . Then they switch and A goes down the line while B goes crosscourt . Then do the same on the diagonal . Then both players volley all balls down the line in a quick exchange . Then each player alternates each volley , first crosscourt then down the line . Do NOT hit harder than you can place the ball , but do accelerate the tempo throughout the drill as long as you can maintain placement .
You can do these drills on a wall as well to build up your wrist strength and quickness . You don ’ t really have time to move your feet so you must rely on your hips and shoulders , using your knees to stay flexible . This does not sound defensive , but at the net , reactions are crucial . If you have hit a weak shot and are about to get hammered , you should revert to control ,
meeting the ball , and keeping the ball in play . You ’ ve got this , because you have been there before . Be sure to include quick exchange volleys as part of your match warm-up .
Keep the defensive mantra in your head : “ The shot will come back , and it will always come back to the logical opening .” You won ’ t win them all , but the pressure will be on your opponent because he knows you are going to be in the right place , and you won ’ t be overplaying the ball . He knows he must make a perfect shot to beat you . Be that player who never gives up . You don ’ t need to race around the court like a squirrel . You need to know where the logical return will be and plant yourself with confidence . Defense is the key to offense . As you drill , work on converting poor position to strong position . Visualize yourself transitioning to offense through placement , control , and solid fundamentals . •
This is a ball machine reflex drill . The ball machine hits down the center to Soheil ’ s backhand volley . He reflexes the volley down the middle . Vic steps over to cover the center and places his volley down the middle . This drill simulates poaching and protecting the center from a poach . You can modify the drill in several ways . Soheil can volley down the line and have Vic practice blocking the ball . Work on meeting the ball out in front with good control .
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 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 .