13 Drills to Get You Ready For Pickleball

Pickleball is a fast-paced and fun sport that has been growing in popularity in recent years. It is a combination of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, and it can be played indoors or outdoors. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, there are a number of pickleball drills that you can use to improve your skills and take your game to the next level.

Warm-Up Drills

Before diving into the more advanced pickleball drills, it is important to start with a proper warm-up. This will help to prevent injury and prepare your body for the workout ahead. A simple warm-up routine could include jogging, jumping jacks, and stretching exercises.

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Forehand and Backhand Drills

The forehand and backhand are two of the most important shots in pickleball. To master these shots, it is important to practice them regularly. Some of the best drills for improving your forehand and backhand include:

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• Forehand Volley Drill: This drill involves hitting forehand volleys back and forth with a partner. Start by standing at the non-volley line and take turns hitting forehand volleys to each other. As you get better, you can move closer to the net and hit more difficult volleys.
• Backhand Volley Drill: This drill is similar to the forehand volley drill, but it involves hitting backhand volleys instead. Start by standing at the non-volley line and take turns hitting backhand volleys to each other. As you get better, you can move closer to the net and hit more difficult volleys.
• Forehand Groundstroke Drill: This drill involves hitting forehand groundstrokes to a partner who is positioned at the other end of the court. Start by standing at the baseline and take turns hitting forehand groundstrokes to each other. As you get better, you can move closer to the net and hit more difficult groundstrokes.
• Backhand Groundstroke Drill: This drill is similar to the forehand groundstroke drill, but it involves hitting backhand groundstrokes instead. Start by standing at the baseline and take turns hitting backhand groundstrokes to each other. As you get better, you can move closer to the net and hit more difficult groundstrokes.

Volley and Overhead Drill

The volley and overhead are two important shots that can help you win pickleball points. To improve your volley and overhead, it is important to practice these shots regularly. Some of the best drills for improving your volley and overhead include:

• Volley and Overhead Drill: This drill involves hitting volleys and overheads back and forth with a partner. Start by standing at the non-volley line and take turns hitting volleys and overheads to each other. As you get better, you can move closer to the net and hit more difficult shots.

• Drop Shot Drill: This drill involves hitting drop shots to a partner who is positioned at the other end of the court. Start by standing at the baseline and take turns hitting drop shots to each other. As you get better, you can move closer to the net and hit more difficult drop shots.

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Footwork Drills

Footwork is an important aspect of pickleball that can help you move quickly and efficiently around the court. To improve your footwork, it is important to practice regularly. Some of the best footwork drills for pickleball include:

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• Agility Ladder Drill: This drill involves running through an agility ladder while focusing on quick, precise footwork. Start by running through the ladder forwards and then backwards, focusing on quick, precise footwork. As you get better, you can try more complex patterns, such as running through the ladder sideways or jumping over the rungs.
• Jump Rope Drill: This drill involves jumping rope while focusing on quick, precise footwork. Start by jumping rope for a set amount of time, focusing on quick, precise footwork. As you get better, you can try more complex patterns, such as double unders or cross overs.
• Shuffle Drill: This drill involves shuffling from side to side while focusing on quick, precise footwork. Start by shuffling for a set amount of time, focusing on quick, precise footwork. As you get better, you can try more complex patterns, such as shuffling forwards and backwards.
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Endurance Drills

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Endurance is important in pickleball, as it allows you to keep up with the fast-paced action on the court. To improve your endurance, it is important to practice regularly. Some of the best endurance drills for pickleball include:

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• Interval Training Drill: This drill involves alternating periods of high-intensity activity with periods of rest. Start by doing 30 seconds of high-intensity activity, followed by 30 seconds of rest. Repeat this pattern for a set amount of time, gradually increasing the amount of time for each interval.
• Endurance Run Drill: This drill involves running for a set amount of time, focusing on maintaining a consistent pace. Start by running for 10 minutes, focusing on maintaining a consistent pace. As you get better, you can gradually increase the amount of time for each run.
• Sprint Drill: This drill involves sprinting for a set amount of time, focusing on maintaining a consistent pace. Start by sprinting for 10 seconds, focusing on maximizing your pace. Rest for 2-3 minutes and repeat.

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In conclusion, there are a number of pickleball drills that you can use to improve your skills and take your game to the next level. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, it is important to practice regularly and focus on improving your forehand and backhand, volley and overhead, footwork, and endurance. With dedication and hard work, you can become a top-notch pickleball player in no time!

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