hit. Put a hula-hoop in the backhand corner and keep track of how many times you hit in the hoop.
The key to good lobbing is keeping the ball on your paddle as long as possible. It is a control shot.
Now set the ball machine to hit in the forehand corner so you can lob down the line. You still want to lob to the backhand corner off of that down-the-line ball.
Depending on your ability, adding topspin makes the lob even more effective. The real key is to not be sloppy. Just because you are lobbing and lifting the ball does not mean that you do not need to watch it closely.
A lob is your ticket against poachers and players who crowd the net. It gets you back in the game, and it can neutralize a good net player.
Drill 4: Service Returns to Set Up the Point
The repetition of the ball machine gives you a chance to practice against the good service returns we see now in pickleball. The return that comes down the middle to your backhand when you are serving from the right side can be a tough one to return offensively. Set the ball machine to hit just to the right of center on the right side and have it fire just to the right of the center tick so that you must return with a backhand.
Good players are serving there, not giving you an angle, so you must return with a consistently deep response. The ball machine forces you to prepare early and meet the ball in front. The opponents cannot volley the return, but if you return short, they are going to get to the kitchen line and attack. Depth is important. That means practicing stepping into your service returns with authority.
The ball machine can really help by disciplining you to prepare and to step into the ball. Work on developing an offensive return that brings you forward, rather than a defensive one that traps you with your weight going backward.
Drill 5: Midcourt Block to Change the Tempo
We all get in trouble. The ball machine drills can help us keep our composure. Getting trapped midcourt is no fun. The ball machine can help you practice your block. It can help you build up muscles and improve your timing. It can help you place the ball so that you have time to establish a good position.
Set the ball machine to hit a good, hard crosscourt forehand, and you stand in no-man’ s-land. Block the ball back deep to the center, move in for the next ball, back up for a block, move in for a volley, etc. Do not overplay or overhit the block. Buy time.
Reverse and do backhands crosscourt. Keep your feet still as you hit. Push a little as you hit rather than swing hard. It is a punch with little follow-through. Block to get into a better position rather than to close out the point.
Using the ball machine will really advance your game so long as you build the drills on fundamentals. Pay attention to what you do well, and spend a little extra time creating a weapon.
After your ball machine workout, hit 100 serves just for fun. •
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.
MAY / JUNE 2026 | MAGAZINE 25