Pickleball Drills: Improve Your Game (2026)

Dink Shot Consistency Drill

The dink shot is fundamental in pickleball, allowing you to control the net and set up offensive opportunities. This drill focuses on developing consistent, soft dinks.

How to Perform Stand at the kitchen line with a partner. Hit dinks cross-court, aiming for the opponent's kitchen. Focus on keeping the ball low and unattackable. Start with 10-15 successful dinks in a row before switching sides.

Key Focus Soft hands, paddle face open, aiming for depth and consistency. Avoid hitting the ball too high, which allows opponents to smash.

Volley Reflex and Placement Drill

Volleys are crucial for controlling the net and finishing points. This drill enhances your reflexes and ability to place volleys effectively.

How to Perform One player stands at the kitchen line, the other feeds balls from the baseline or mid-court. The player at the kitchen line volleys the ball back, focusing on hitting it to different areas of the court (cross-court, down the line). Increase speed as you get more comfortable.

Key Focus Quick reaction time, compact swing, firm wrist, and aiming for open spaces. Keep your eyes on the ball and anticipate its trajectory.

Serve and Return Practice

Starting a point strong with a good serve and return is vital. This drill helps you develop consistency and depth in both.

How to Perform Practice 10-15 serves in a row, focusing on hitting the correct service box with depth. Then, have a partner serve to you, and practice returning the ball deep into their court, ideally to the backhand side. Focus on consistency over power.

Key Focus Smooth motion for serves, aiming for the back of the service box. For returns, focus on getting the ball deep and keeping it unattackable, giving your team time to get to the kitchen.

Third Shot Drop Drill

The third shot drop is arguably the most important shot in pickleball, allowing the serving team to get to the kitchen line safely. This drill is essential for mastering it.

How to Perform One player serves, the other returns. The serving team then hits a third shot drop, aiming for it to land in the opponent's kitchen. The goal is to make the opponent hit up on the ball, allowing you to take control of the net. Practice this sequence repeatedly.

Key Focus Soft touch, aiming for the kitchen line, and getting to the net quickly after hitting the shot. The trajectory should be high enough to clear the net but drop quickly.