goal is to keep the ball in play while putting pressure on your opponent.
Key Tips: Keep your eyes on the ball, maintain good footwork, and make contact in front of you in your strike zone. Start with attacks at 60 % power so your partner can reset the ball, then gradually increase intensity while maintaining control.
Roll Volley Drill
Objective: Master the roll volley, a shot that adds topspin and puts more pressure on your opponent.
Setup: Practice hitting roll volleys to a partner positioned midcourt or all the way back.
Instructions: Focus on brushing up the back of the ball to create topspin, aiming for specific spots on the court where it’ s challenging for your partner to respond. Your partner can work on drops and resets, aiming to keep the ball low in the kitchen.
Key Tips: Stay low and use your legs to generate power. The motion should be smooth and controlled, with an emphasis on placement. As you gain more control of this shot, add more power.
STEP 3: PROGRESSION TO GAME SCENARIOS
Drills are the essential building blocks of a reliable, consistent pickleball game.
As you become more comfortable with these drills, it’ s time to incorporate them into more realistic, game-like scenarios. This will help you apply what you’ ve practiced in situations that mimic actual match play.
Attack and Counter Drill Objective: Improve your ability to transition between defense and offense during fast exchanges. Setup: Start with a dinking rally, then introduce attacking shots when appropriate.
Instructions: Focus on reacting quickly to your opponent’ s shots, resetting the ball when necessary, and counterattacking when the opportunity arises. This drill helps build reflexes and reinforces the consistency of your aggressive shots.
Key Tips: Stay balanced and ready to move in any direction. Prioritize maintaining control over the ball during fast exchanges.
STEP 4: COOL DOWN AND REFLECT
Instructions: Practice mixing in third shot drives and drops, challenging your opponent to respond. The focus is on choosing the right shot for the situation and executing it with precision.
Key Tips: Pay attention to your opponent’ s position and adjust your shot selection accordingly. Maintain a calm, controlled demeanor regardless of the pace of play. Do this in a game of skinny singles to take it to the next level.
After completing your training session, it’ s important to cool down and reflect on your progress. A cool-down routine helps your body recover and prevents stiffness, while reflection allows you to internalize what you’ ve learned.
Cool-Down Routine:
1. Static Stretching – Focus on stretching the muscles used during your training, holding each stretch for 20- 30 seconds. While stretching, practice deep, controlled breathing to lower your heart rate and relax your body. 2. Reflection – Take a few moments to think about what went well during your training session and what you can improve next time. This mental review will help reinforce the skills you’ ve worked on.
Consistency is the cornerstone of a successful pickleball game, and drilling is the most effective way to build it. By following a structured approach that emphasizes consistency, controlled aggression, and game-like scenarios, you can systematically enhance your skills and become a more well-rounded player. Remember, consistency comes first, and once you’ ve mastered it, you can layer in the aggression that will take your play to the next level. Over time, the effort you put into these drills will translate into significant improvements on the court, making you a more formidable opponent. •
Third Shot Drive and Drop Drill Objective: Develop consistency in executing the third shot drive or drop, crucial for gaining control of the rally.
Setup: One player is at the baseline and the other is at the kitchen. The player at the baseline alternates between driving and dropping the third shot.
Kyle McMakin is a touring pickleball professional, former Division I tennis player( UC Davis) and head pro for LevelUp Pickleball Camps. Kyle is a two-time Triple Crown winner. His DUPR is above 6.0 in both singles and doubles.
SPRING 2025 | MAGAZINE 37