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INSTRUCTION by KYLE McMAKIN
Training to Elevate Your Pickleball Game : A Step-by-Step Guide
Improving your pickleball game requires more than just playing matches — it ’ s about dedicating time to structured , purposeful training . By focusing on consistent practice and targeted drills , you can refine your skills , build confidence and become a more formidable player on the court . In this article , we ’ ll outline a series of drills and training methods that will help you systematically improve key aspects of your game .
The Importance of Consistency in Pickleball
Consistency is the foundation upon which all other skills are built . While flashy shots and aggressive play can win points , it ’ s consistent performance that wins matches . Consistent play reduces unforced errors and forces your opponents to earn every point . Before you can confidently incorporate aggressive tactics into your game , you need a solid foundation of consistency . Once you ’ ve established that , you can begin to layer in more aggressive shots that are both reflexive and reliable .
STEP 1 : DRILLING FOR CONSISTENCY
As you ’ re warming up and when you drill , work on consistency — the cornerstone of any strong pickleball game . The following drills are designed to help you develop consistency in your shots and footwork .
Crosscourt Dinking Drill Objective : Improve control and accuracy in your dinks while keeping the ball unattackable . Setup : Stand at the kitchen line opposite your partner , aiming for crosscourt dinks .
Instructions : Engage in a controlled dinking rally , focusing on keeping your shots low and landing them in your opponent ’ s kitchen . The goal is to maintain a steady rally without giving your opponent an easy attack opportunity .
Key Tips : Keep your paddle out in front , use soft hands , and aim for a consistent arc over the net .
Drill Variation : Use a target , like flat court markers , and keep track of how many times you and your partner can rally the ball back and forth , aiming for the target .
Game Variation : Play a dinking-only game where points are scored when the opponent misses . This emphasizes the importance of consistency .
Third Shot Drop Drill Objective : Develop a reliable third shot drop , essential for getting up to the kitchen . Setup : One player stays at the kitchen while the other works on hitting drop shots from halfway back , eventually moving to the baseline .
Instructions : Practice dropping the ball into the opponent ’ s kitchen with a soft , controlled shot . Work on hitting shots that are unattackable .
Key Tips : Use a smooth , upward motion to lift the ball over the net . Take quick little steps as needed to keep the ball in front of you and maintain a balanced position all the way through the shot .
Drill Variation : As you gain consistency , the player at the kitchen can increase the pressure by hitting harder shots , forcing the other player to refine their drop under more challenging conditions . When a fast ball is hit at you , keep your paddle in front and be soft , smooth and compact with your shot to maintain control .
STEP 2 : TRAINING TO ADD AGGRESSION
Once you ’ ve established a solid foundation of consistency in your dinks and drops , you can begin training to incorporate more aggressive shots into your game . The key is to make sure these aggressive shots are controlled and consistent , so they enhance your game rather than lead to errors .
Controlled Attacking and Defending Drill Objective : Practice attacking from the kitchen line while maintaining control .
Setup : Engage in a dinking rally straight ahead with your partner . When the opportunity arises , practice attacking the ball out of the air or off the bounce . Instructions : Focus on executing controlled , aggressive shots without sacrificing consistency . The
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