Best Pickleball Drills: Fun, Pro Tips That Actually Work

Best Drills for Pickleball: My Favorite Ways to Train Smarter, Not Just Harder

If I’m being honest, I used to think drilling was about as fun as watching paint dry. Open play? That was my jam. But the longer I played, the more I felt frustrated that I wasn’t improving. I wanted to get better, but my game just… wasn’t budging. Everything changed when I found a video on Youtube about purposeful drilling and discovered the best pickleball drills actually make a difference. And now? I weirdly love it. The precision, the intensity, the quiet satisfaction of improvement, it’s addictive.

This article is my personal drill library, tested, refined, and loved. Whether you’re a curious beginner, a hungry 3.5 looking to break through, or just bored of lazy hitting at open play, you’ll find something here. These are the best drills for pickleball, and more importantly, they’re drills that don’t feel like punishment. We’ll cover beginner basics, intermediate transitions, sweaty chaos drills pros swear by, and even solo options for those stuck without a drilling partner.

Let’s turn dinking into domination, and third shots into daggers. And if we have some fun along the way, even better. After all, who said sweating buckets in the Louisiana heat couldn’t be satisfying?

Quick Summary: Elevate Your Pickleball Game

• Our Focus: The best drills for pickleball
• Learn the exact drills top players use to train, step-by-step.
• Includes options for beginners, intermediates, and solo players.
• Why it matters: Drilling is how you win more, faster. Games don’t give enough reps, drills do.

Who This Helps

This article is perfect for:

• Beginners trying to master consistent dinks and drops
• Coaches looking for clear teaching language and scalable drills
• Intermediate and Advanced Players comparing paddle skills, consistency, and control techniques

The Best Pickleball Drills Foundation: Warm-Up & Consistency

Start every session with drills that build your foundation. These aren’t flashy, but they are essential for laying a solid groundwork.

1. Straight-Ahead Dinks: Master Consistency

Stand at the kitchen line and dink straight ahead to your partner. No attacks. No tricks. Just consistency and control. Focus on:

• Paddle out front, neutral grip.
• Minimal backswing, soft hands.
• Keep it unattackable (below net height).

2. Cross-Court Dinks: Add Realistic Footwork

Move diagonally for more realistic footwork. Start cooperatively. Mix forehand and backhand reps.

3. Cooperative Hands: Improve Fast Exchanges

Volley at the kitchen line. Don’t go full speed, just get used to fast exchanges. This builds paddle readiness and vision.

• Quick Takeaways:
• Warm up with straight dinks, then move to cross-court, and finally cooperative volleys.
• Always focus on proper footwork and grip positioning. For more on court movement, check out our guide on improve your footwork.

Best Drills for Beginners: Get Comfortable, Fast

Dink Game to 7: Build Touch and Patience

Play to 7 points using only dinks. Start straight on, then switch to cross-court. Great for beginners building touch and patience. (Confession: This drill used to make my backhand dink feel like a concrete block, but stick with it!)

Mini Skinny: Develop Accuracy and Variety

This is a cross-court dinking game played only in one-half of the court. It helps develop accuracy and variety for both your backhand and forehand.

One-Up One-Back (Skinny Style): Earn Your Way Forward

One player starts at the kitchen line, the other at the baseline. Play points where the baseline player must win the point to earn their way up to the kitchen line.

AJ’s Quick Tip: If you’re feeling frustrated with this one, remember: It’s not about winning points yet. It’s about staying in the rally. You hit two dinks for every three your partner hits? That’s a win in this drill!

• Why These Beginner Drills Work:
• The best drills for pickleball for beginners involve high repetition and clear rules.
• Consistency beats power early on.

The Best Intermediate Drills: Power, Precision, and Pressure

Drop & Roll: Master Your Third Shot Drop

The Drop & Roll drill is a foundational exercise for mastering two critical shots: the third shot drop (from the baseline player) and the topspin roll (from the kitchen player). This drill is all about turning tough shots into chances to attack, helping you take pace off the ball, building consistency and touch around the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ).

Setup and Roles:

Setting up the Drop & Roll is pretty straightforward: grab a partner, and here’s how you’ll position yourselves:

• Baseline Player (Player 1): Starts at the baseline. Their primary role is to practice hitting consistent third shot drops that land softly in the opponent’s kitchen.
• Kitchen Player (Player 2): Starts at the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) line. Their role is to receive the drop and return it with a topspin roll, aiming to keep the ball deep and unattackable, setting up the baseline player for another drop.

How the Drill Works:

1. To begin, the Baseline Player gets things rolling by a ball fed to them by their partner.
2. The Baseline Player then hits a third shot drop (or simply a drop from the baseline) aiming for the Kitchen Player’s NVZ. Focus on getting the ball to land softly, ideally bouncing twice before the Kitchen Player can reach it.
3. The Kitchen Player allows the ball to bounce, then returns it with a controlled topspin roll. The goal for the Kitchen Player is to hit the ball deep into the court, ideally past the mid-court area, giving the Baseline Player ample time to set up for their next drop.
4. The rally continues with the Baseline Player hitting drops and the Kitchen Player returning with rolls.
5. Drill both forehand and backhand sides of the baseline player for drops, and both sides for the kitchen player’s rolls.

What You’ll Gain from the Drop & Roll Drill:

• For the Baseline Player:
  • Consistent Third Shot Drops: You’ll build that crucial soft touch and pinpoint accuracy to consistently land drops in the kitchen, opening up your approach to the net.
  • Patience Under Pressure: Learn to read the game and pick just the right moment for your drop, rather than rushing it.
  • Smarter Decisions: This drill sharpens your instinct for when a soft drop is the winning play versus a forceful drive.
• For the Kitchen Player:
  • Commanding Topspin Rolls: Perfect your ability to add depth and spin to returns from the NVZ, keeping opponents on their heels.
  • Consistent Deep Returns: Get reps hitting rolls that push your opponent back, denying them easy attacks.
  • Lightning-Fast Hands: Your reactions will get quicker, and your hands softer, making you a pro at handling incoming drops.

This drill is excellent for developing the essential touch and strategic thinking required to win the net battle. For more detailed tips on this crucial shot, see our article on perfect your third shot drop.

7-11 Drill: Improve Transition Play (My Favorite)

The 7-11 drill is a fantastic way to sharpen your transition game, forcing both players to practice crucial shots from different areas of the court under varied scoring pressure. It’s particularly effective for improving your third shot drops and fifth shot drops, as well as your ability to reset the ball from mid-court and execute effective drives. This drill builds comfort and consistency in moving from the baseline to the kitchen, a critical skill in pickleball.

Setup and Roles:

To set up the 7-11 drill, you’ll need two players: a “Kitchen Player” and a “Baseline Player.”

• Kitchen Player (Player 1): Starts at the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ), or “kitchen,” line. Their goal is to get to 11 points.
• Baseline Player (Player 2): Starts at the baseline. Their goal is to get to 7 points.

How the Drill Works:

1. To begin, the Baseline Player serves, and the Kitchen Player returns
2. From this point, points are played out as they would be in a game, but with a specific focus on transition shots.
3. The Baseline Player will primarily be practicing their third shot drops and fifth shot drops (if they hit a drive on the third shot, the fifth shot is their next opportunity to drop). They are looking to transition to the kitchen.
4. The Kitchen Player will focus on managing the dink rally, counter-attacking any high balls, and resetting any aggressive shots from the Baseline Player. They are already at the net, so their goal is to maintain that advantageous position.
5. Drives and drops should be mixed in by the Baseline Player to simulate game-like scenarios. The Kitchen Player must react to both.

What the 7-11 Drill Accomplishes:

• For the Baseline Player:
  • Mastering the Third and Fifth Shot Drop: The core of this drill for the baseline player is the repetitive practice of soft shots that land in the kitchen, allowing them to advance to the net safely.
  • Strategic Driving: They learn when to drive forcefully and when a soft drop is the better option, based on the rally’s flow and the opponent’s position.
  • Court Transition: Constant practice moving from the baseline up to the kitchen after a successful drop or drive.
• For the Kitchen Player:
  • Net Play Consistency: Develops comfort and consistency in dink rallies and volleys at the kitchen line.
  • Resetting Skills: Practices taking pace off the ball and neutralizing aggressive drives from the baseline, resetting the rally to a neutral state.
  • Patience and Aggression: Learns when to patiently dink and when to seize an opportunity to attack a higher ball.

By introducing different scoring targets, the drill adds a layer of pressure, making it feel more like a real game while still isolating key skills. The varying points also encourage the player who is “behind” to take smart risks, further mimicking the strategic decisions made in actual matches.

Drive and Counter: Sharpen Offense and Defense

The Drive and Counter drill is all about sharpening your ability to engage in fast-paced exchanges, specifically focusing on aggressive drives and effective counter-attacks or blocks. This drill simulates high-pressure situations, improving your reflexes, paddle quickness, and strategic decision-making on when to attack and when to defend.

Setup and Roles:

You’ll need two players for the Drive and Counter drill, with roles that switch frequently:

• Driver (Player 1): Typically starts at or near the baseline. Their role is to initiate the rally with powerful, accurate drives.
• Counterer/Blocker (Player 2): Starts at the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) line or slightly behind it. Their role is to effectively block, defend, or counter-attack the incoming drives.

How the Drill Works:

1. Ready to get aggressive? The Drive and Counter starts with the Driver feeding the ball to themselves or their partner, then immediately hitting a strong drive from the baseline. The drive should be aimed to hit the opponent’s feet or body, or deep into their court.
2. The Counterer/Blocker must react quickly to the incoming drive. Their options are to:
   • Block it: Take all the pace off the incoming drive, dropping it softly into their kitchen or sending it deep with no power.
   • Counter-attack: If they give you anything attackable, hit your own aggressive drive right back!
   • Reset: Neutralize the rally with a smart defensive shot, often dropping it back into the kitchen to restart.
3. Rallies are generally kept short, focusing on the initial drive and the immediate counter-response.
4. Switch roles every few minutes to ensure both players get equal practice in driving and countering. This can also be done after a set number of successful blocks/counters or errors.

What the Drive and Counter Drill Accomplishes:

• For the Driver:
  • Aggressive Driving Consistency: Improves the power, accuracy, and consistency of your forehand and backhand drives.
  • Shot Placement: Teaches you to aim for challenging spots (feet, body, deep corners) to make it difficult for your opponent to counter.
  • Attacking Mindset: This drill builds your confidence to be the one who dictates the pace. When’s the right time to pull the trigger on an aggressive shot? You’ll learn it here.
• For the Counterer/Blocker:
  • Quick Reflexes & Hands: Essential for reacting to fast-paced drives at the net.
  • Effective Blocking/Resetting: Practices taking pace off the ball to neutralize powerful shots and setting up future opportunities.
  • Defensive Countering: Learn when and how to turn a defensive shot into an offensive one.
  • Patience at the Net: Builds the discipline to wait for the right ball to attack, rather than always trying to hit hard.

This drill is fantastic for improving your reaction time and ensuring you’re comfortable and capable of handling and delivering aggressive shots, which is crucial as you face higher-level competition.

• The Bottom Line:
• The best drills for pickleball for intermediate players target transitions and faster hands.
• Practice both sides of a rally, offense and defense.

Game-Like Drill Games That Actually Work

Chaos Box: Boost Reflexes and Angles

The Chaos Box drill is designed to simulate the unpredictable, high-pressure environment of a fast-paced pickleball game, especially at the net. It’s an intense, dynamic drill that sharpens your reflexes, improves your ability to handle various angles, and trains you to perform under mental stress and physical fatigue. This drill is a favorite among advanced players for its ability to push limits and expose weaknesses in quick reactions and defensive positioning.

On a side note: My favorite memory of the Chaos Box is when my dad was feeding me and my sister and he looked like a cartoon because he was trying to go so fast.

Setup and Roles:

For the Chaos Box drill, you’ll need three players:

• Kitchen Players (Players 1 & 2): Two players position themselves at the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) line. Their role is to react to every ball fed, maintaining aggressive but controlled net play.
• Feeder (Player 3): This player stands on the sideline, roughly mid-court or closer to the net, with a basket of balls. Their role is to rapidly and randomly feed balls into the court for the two Kitchen Players.

How the Drill Works:

1. The Feeder gets the chaos going by rapidly firing balls into the court, aiming for various spots around the two Kitchen Players. The feeds should be unpredictable, including:
   • Hard drives towards their feet.
   • Soft dinks to different corners of the kitchen.
   • Balls aimed at the body.
   • High, attackable lobs.
   • Balls forcing lateral movement.
2. The Kitchen Players must work together, communicating and covering their respective sides of the court, to return every ball legally. They should aim for controlled returns, dinks, or put-aways when possible, depending on the feed.
3. The drill continues for a set period (e.g., 30-60 seconds) or until a certain number of errors occur.
4. Players rotate roles, so everyone gets a chance to be a Kitchen Player and the Feeder.

What the Chaos Box Drill Accomplishes:

• For Kitchen Players:
  • Rapid Reflexes: Forces extremely quick reactions to unpredictable ball trajectories and speeds.
  • Court Coverage & Anticipation: Improves lateral movement, quick footwork, and the ability to anticipate where the next ball will be directed.
  • Paddle Quickness & Hand Speed: Essential for volleying fast-paced shots and controlling the paddle in tight spaces.
  • Mental Toughness: Trains players to stay focused and perform under chaos and fatigue. This mimics high-pressure game situations.
  • Communication: Encourages clear communication between the two net players.
• For the Feeder:
  • Shot Placement Precision: Develops the ability to accurately place balls to challenge specific areas of the court.
  • Strategic Understanding: Gains insight into how different feeds impact player reactions and court movement.

This drill is excellent for pushing your limits and identifying areas where your net game might break down under pressure.

Cat and Mouse: Develop NVZ Control and Soft Touch

The Cat and Mouse drill is a deceptively challenging and incredibly effective drill designed to master soft game control within the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ). It focuses purely on finesse, movement, and touch, forcing players to hit every ball into the kitchen. While it might seem simple, maintaining accuracy and control under continuous movement is “sneaky hard, and sneaky fun.” This drill is fundamental for developing superior dinking skills and court awareness in the most critical area of the court.

Setup and Roles:

For the Cat and Mouse drill, you’ll need two players positioned exclusively at the kitchen line:

• Players 1 & 2: Both players stand at their respective Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) lines. Neither player is allowed to step into the kitchen (i.e., cross the NVZ line) or hit a ball that lands outside the opponent’s NVZ.

How the Drill Works:

1. One player starts the rally with a soft dink aimed for the opponent’s NVZ.
2. The rally continues with both players dinking back and forth.
3. The core rule: Every ball must land within the opponent’s NVZ. If a ball lands outside the kitchen (even by an inch) or is hit into the net, the rally ends, and the drill restarts.
4. Players can dink straight ahead, cross-court, or to the middle, as long as the ball lands within the designated NVZ.
5. The goal is to keep the rally going for as long as possible, forcing continuous movement and precise dinks.

What the Cat and Mouse Drill Accomplishes:

• For Both Players:
  • Pinpoint Dink Accuracy: Develops exceptional control and accuracy in placing dinks into tight spaces within the kitchen.
  • Soft Hands & Touch: Refines the ability to take pace off the ball and execute delicate shots.
  • Lateral Movement & Footwork: Can you stay light on your feet and move smoothly along that kitchen line? This drill will make sure your lateral shuffles are quick, controlled, and keep you out of the kitchen.
  • Patience in Dinks: Teaches the discipline required to maintain a dink rally, waiting for the opponent’s error or a clear put-away opportunity.
  • NVZ Awareness: Enhances understanding of the boundaries and optimal landing spots within the kitchen.
  • Paddle Control: Improves subtle adjustments of the paddle face for desired trajectory and spin on delicate shots.

This drill is paramount for building confidence and consistency in the dink game, which often dictates the winner in competitive matches.

60 in a Row Challenges: Brutal Repetition for Mastery

The 60 in a Row Challenges are straightforward yet incredibly “brutal” and “effective” drills designed for sheer repetition and consistency. The premise is simple: pick a specific shot or skill, and don’t stop until you successfully execute it 60 times in a row. This drill isn’t about complex scenarios; it’s about building muscle memory, focus, and unwavering consistency under self-imposed pressure. It’s an ultimate test of mental fortitude and technical precision.

Setup and Roles:

This drill usually involves two players, though some variations can be adapted for solo play against a wall.

• Players 1 & 2: Both players agree on a specific skill to practice. Their roles are cooperative, working together to facilitate the successful execution of the chosen shot.

How the Drill Works:

1. Choose a Skill: Select one specific pickleball skill to master. Common choices include:
   • Cross-court dinks
   • Straight-ahead dinks
   • Third shot drops (often from a pre-fed ball)
   • Volleys at the net (cooperative)
   • Forehand groundstrokes (from a partner feed)
2. Time to Count: Just start hitting your chosen shot. Every successful, clean execution counts as one.
3. Reset on Error: If any error occurs (ball out, in the net, wrong shot type, not landing in the designated area), the count immediately resets to zero.
4. Reach 60: Continue until you or your team successfully hit 60 consecutive, correct executions of that skill. This might take many resets!

What the 60 in a Row Challenges Accomplish:

• For Both Players (or Solo Player):
  • Extreme Consistency: Forces you to maintain laser-like focus and technical consistency over a prolonged period.
  • Muscle Memory Development: High repetition ingrains the correct mechanics of the chosen shot into your muscle memory.
  • Mental Fortitude: Builds significant mental toughness and patience. Errors can be frustrating, but they teach resilience.
  • Accuracy Under Pressure: While not direct “game pressure,” the pressure of maintaining a streak closely mimics the focus needed in a match.
  • Confidence in Fundamentals: Achieving 60 in a row builds immense confidence in your ability to execute that specific skill reliably during a game.
  • Identifying Weaknesses: Frequent resets quickly highlight subtle inconsistencies or technical flaws that need attention.

While it’s simple in concept, the 60 in a Row Challenge is incredibly effective for solidifying fundamental skills and pushing your consistency to a new level.

• Putting It All Together:
• Drill games combine motivation with skill development.
• The best drills for pickleball require repetition under stress to truly stick.

What Are the Best Pickleball Drills to Do Alone?

Not everyone has a partner readily available. But you can still train effectively with these solo drills to improve your game.

Wall Drills: Enhance Control and Quickness

• Dinks against a wall (aim low and soft).
• Third shot drop practice from a distance.
• Rapid-fire forehand/backhand volleys for quick hands.

Serve + Shadow Return: Improve Rhythm and Court Coverage

Serve the ball, then shadow step through your court coverage. This is great for developing serving rhythm and improving your balance for subsequent returns.

Footwork Ladder: Master Lateral and Recovery Movement

Use a chalk ladder or a real agility ladder. Work on lateral movement, forward/back steps, and quick recovery steps to improve your court mobility.

• Key Pointers:
• Pickleball drills by yourself focus on control, footwork, and targeting.
• A wall and an agility ladder will be your best friends for solo practice.

How Often Should I Drill to See Results?

To see significant improvement, aim for at least three 15-minute drilling sessions a week. Use timers, keep score, and treat it like structured training, not just hitting balls around. For real, lasting change, you need:

• Focused repetitions.
• Partner feedback or self-assessment.
• Consistency over intensity.

For official rules and more drill inspiration, check out USA Pickleball.

FAQ: Common Questions About The Best Pickleball Drills

The Best Pickleball Drills

So, there you have it, my personal playbook for drilling smarter, not just harder. I’ve shared the exact routines that transformed my own game, from frustrating plateaus to genuine, addictive improvement. Remember, the journey in pickleball is a continuous one, and the best drills for pickleball are your roadmap. Don’t just play; train with purpose. Bookmark PickleTip, and let’s keep working on your game together. I’m here to share every new breakthrough and assist you in becoming the pickleball player you aspire to be. See you on the courts, or back here on PickleTip!