Consistency Drill # 1
Serve down the middle, return down the middle, and move up to the NVZ line. Third shot down the middle and move up to the NVZ line, short soft shot to the backhand side and both players shift 2 feet to the right, fifth shot down the middle. Then play is open.
Five shots directed and controlled as you set up the play will make you conscious of your consistency.
Why the middle? It is the highestpercentage shot. If you work on your footwork for the middle shot, you can develop good footwork to go down the line. But, if you only work on threading the needle down the line, you put a lot of pressure on yourself rather than on your opponent. Your overall objective is to keep the ball in play, make your opponent move, and place the ball when you have an opening.
Consistency Drill # 2
The dink / drive drill that we call“ 5 and Alive” requires forethought. All balls must be hit in the kitchen. One player at the NVZ line serves in the kitchen, and after five dink shots, play is alive to do what you wish. After the five dinks, you can drive or lob. But it is the player who hits the fifth ball that determines who wins the point.
You must think ahead. A big part of being consistent is knowing what shot is coming next and what you should hit next to set up the point for your partner. If I get my partner out of position, he may not be able to hit a highpercentage shot. You either set up yourself, your partner, or your opponents. You must practice dink drills to know what angles work for you or against you.
What are the characteristics of a high-percentage shot? It clears the net by a safe margin.“ That allows them to poach,” you say. You are correct, so that means you must make a choice. Can you consistently hit a screamer an inch over the net? You have choices, and your practice should help you make high-percentage choices.
We are back to preparation. Your return of serve cannot be poached since it must bounce before being hit. That means your return needs to be deep without giving the opponent a winning angle. Serve-and-return drills need to focus on consistent depth. Chalk a line 2 feet inside the baseline. Your goal is to serve and to return between the baseline and your 2-foot line.
Steve Smart warms up against a wall. It gives him a chance to work on early preparation and getting his paddle back early. He keeps the ball out in front and bends his knees. His eyes are riveted on the ball and he is evenly balanced. You can make up patterns— three forehands then turn and hit three backhands. Or, one of each for a quick footwork drill. The wall is a great tool for practicing concentration too.
Consistency Drill # 3
You need a good poaching drill because you cannot afford to let cupcake shots go by. You need to have confidence in your volleying. Consistency in volleying begins with keeping the ball out in front where you can make early contact. Volleying is aggressive.
You set up your drill head-on. An in-close volley drill should produce a minimum of 50 consecutive volleys. Place the ball so that it is playable and control the pace. Then do crosscourt volleys. Then switch and do forehand crosscourts. For a four-person drill, hit the ball to the player who did not hit it last— a butterfly pattern that requires you to change the direction of the ball. That requires footwork. Footwork is the key to consistent volleying.
You can modify any drill. For example, start by serving wide instead of down the middle. Whatever drill you design, have the cornerstone be consistency. You have to be able to keep the ball in play. It is not how long you practice— it is how efficiently you practice.
Confidence comes from consistency. You need to know that you can make the shot when it presents itself and when you need it. Consistency puts the pressure on the opponent. You will not lose the match— the opponent must beat you to win the match. •
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.
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2026 | MAGAZINE 59