Pickleball Drills for Intermediate Players: Level Up Your Game Fast

Want to take your pickleball game up a notch? You’re in luck! As an intermediate player, you’ve got the basics down, but now it’s time to fine-tune your skills.

Pickleball drills are a great way to do just that.

By practicing specific drills designed for intermediate players, you can improve your accuracy, speed, control, and strategy on the court. These drills focus on key aspects of the game like dinking, volleying, and mastering the third shot drop. They’ll help you get ready for tougher competition and more advanced play.

Ready to sweat? Let’s dive into some fun and effective drills that’ll have you playing like a pro in no time.

Whether you’re practicing solo or with a partner, these engaging exercises will boost your technique and stamina. Get ready to surprise your opponents with your newfound skills!

Understanding the Basics of Pickleball

Pickleball is a fun mix of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. You play it on a small court with a net in the middle. The game uses solid paddles and a plastic ball with holes.

You can play singles or doubles. The court has special areas called the “kitchen” where you can’t hit the ball in the air. This makes the game more about control than power.

To start, one player serves the ball diagonally across the court. The other side must let it bounce once before hitting it back. After that, you can hit the ball in the air or after it bounces.

Here are some key rules to remember:

• Only the serving team can score points
• Games usually go to 11 points, and you must win by 2
• You can’t volley (hit the ball in the air) in the kitchen zone

Pickleball has some unique shots:

1. Dink: A soft shot that just clears the net
2. Third shot drop: A gentle shot used after serving
3. Lob: A high, deep shot to push opponents back

Learning these basics will help you improve your pickleball skills. As you practice, you’ll get better at placing shots and moving around the court.

Remember, pickleball is all about having fun while staying active. Don’t worry too much about winning at first. Focus on learning the rules and enjoying the game with friends.

Mastering Essential Shots

To up your pickleball game, you need to nail a few key shots. These shots form the backbone of your play and can make or break your matches. Let’s look at the most crucial shots you should focus on.

The Serve

The serve starts every point, so it’s super important to get it right. A good serve can set you up for success. Here are some tips:

• Keep it deep and low to make it hard for your opponent to attack.
• Mix up your serves to keep your opponent guessing.
• Try different types: flat, topspin, and slice serves.

Practice your stance and grip. Make sure you’re comfortable and balanced when serving.

Work on your toss. A consistent toss helps you hit the ball cleanly and with power.

Use your whole body. Bend your knees, shift your weight, and rotate your hips to add oomph to your serve.

The Return of Serve

A solid return of serve can put you in control of the point. It’s your chance to put pressure on your opponent right away.

Here’s what to focus on:

• Stay ready and alert as your opponent serves.
• Move your feet to get in position quickly.
• Aim for deep returns that land near the baseline.
• Try to hit your return to your opponent’s weaker side.

Practice returning serves down the middle in doubles. This can cause confusion between your opponents.

Don’t be afraid to attack short serves. If you get a chance, put some pace on your return to keep your opponent on their toes.

The Dink Shot

The dink is a soft shot hit from near the kitchen line. It’s all about control and placement. A good dink can force your opponent into a mistake.

Tips for better dinking:

• Keep your paddle face open and hit up on the ball.
• Aim for spots just over the net and into the corners.
• Stay patient and wait for your chance to attack.

Cross-court dinking drills can really help you improve. They work on your accuracy and control.

Practice dinking with a partner. Take turns hitting soft shots over the net. Try to keep the rally going as long as you can.

The Third Shot Drop

The third shot drop is key in doubles play. It helps you get to the net safely. This shot is all about touch and feel.

Here’s how to improve your third shot drop:

• Hit the ball softly so it just clears the net.
• Aim for your opponent’s feet to make it hard for them to attack.
• Use a continental grip for better control.

Practice this shot a lot. It’s tricky to master but super useful. Try hitting third shot drops from different spots on the court.

Remember, you don’t always have to drop. Sometimes a drive is the better choice. Learn to mix it up based on the situation.

The Volley

Volleys are quick shots hit before the ball bounces. They’re great for putting pressure on your opponent and finishing points.

To improve your volleys:

• Keep your paddle up and ready.
• Use a short backswing for quicker reactions.
• Focus on placement over power.

Try the Hit and Run drill to work on your volleys and movement. It’ll help you get quicker on your feet.

Practice volleying with a partner. Stand at the kitchen line and hit volleys back and forth. Work on your control and accuracy.

Don’t forget about your backhand volley. It’s just as important as your forehand. Make sure you practice both sides equally.

Developing Strategic Play

Smart positioning and smart shots are key to winning at pickleball. Knowing where to stand and what shots to use can give you an edge. You can also learn to spot and take advantage of your opponent’s weak points.

Court Positioning

Good court positioning is vital in pickleball. You want to be ready to hit the ball and cover the court.

Try to stay close to the non-volley zone line when you can. This lets you reach more shots and puts pressure on your opponents.

Move as a team with your partner in doubles. When one of you goes to the side, the other should shift to cover more court. Keep an eye on where your opponents are too. If they’re out of position, you can hit to the open court.

Practice moving quickly to the non-volley zone after serving or returning. Getting to the net fast can help you control the point.

Shot Selection

Picking the right shots is crucial for intermediate players. Mix up your shots to keep your opponents guessing.

Use dinks to move them around and set up stronger attacks.

Try different serves like the power serve, lob serve, or slice serve. Each can throw off your opponents in different ways. When returning, aim deep to push your opponents back.

At the net, work on your soft game. Gentle dinks can force errors or set up put-away shots. But be ready to hit with power when you get the chance. Practice your volleys and overhead smashes for when you need to end a point quickly.

Opponent Weakness Exploitation

Every player has weak spots. Your job is to find and use them.

Watch how your opponents move and hit. Do they struggle with backhand shots? Hit to their backhand more often.

Look for gaps in their court coverage. If one player is slower, try to make them run more. Hit and run drills can help you practice moving your opponents around the court.

Pay attention to how they handle different shots. If they pop up high balls on dinks, be ready to attack. If their lobs are weak, you can practice overheads to put those away.

Don’t be too obvious about targeting weaknesses. Mix up your play to keep them off balance. This way, they won’t know what’s coming next.

Drills for Enhanced Footwork

Good footwork is key to winning games. These drills will help you move faster and more smoothly on the court. You’ll learn to cover more ground and get to shots quicker.

Lateral Movement Drills

Lateral movement drills boost your side-to-side agility.

Set up cones or markers in a line. Practice shuffling between them quickly. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and stay low.

Try the sideline drill. Move along the sideline, touching it with your outside foot each time. Go back and forth for 30 seconds. This builds speed and control.

Another fun drill is the shadow drill. Face a partner and mirror their movements. They lead, moving side to side, while you follow. Switch roles after a minute.

Forward and Backward Drills

Forward and backward movement is crucial in pickleball.

Start at the kitchen line and sprint to the baseline. Then backpedal to your starting point. Repeat 10 times.

For a tougher workout, try the figure-eight drill. Place two cones about 10 feet apart. Run around them in a figure-eight pattern. Go forward around one cone, then backward around the other. Do this for 1 minute.

The hit and run drill is great for real game scenarios. Hit a shot from the baseline, then run up to the kitchen line. Your partner returns the ball deep, so you have to retreat quickly.

Cross-Step Drills

Cross-stepping helps you cover more court with less effort.

Start by practicing the basic cross-step motion. Step your right foot behind your left, then step left. Reverse the motion going the other way.

Set up four cones in a square. Cross-step to each cone in turn. Focus on smooth, quick movements. Keep your eyes forward, not on your feet.

Try the diagonal drill. Place two cones diagonally across the court. Cross-step from one to the other. This mimics reaching for wide shots in a game. Do 10 reps in each direction.

Building Consistency and Stamina

Improving your consistency and stamina is key to taking your pickleball game to the next level. These drills will help you develop a reliable serve, maintain focus during long rallies, and boost your endurance on the court.

Consistent Serve Drills

To build a dependable serve, start with the basics. Practice your grip, stance, and body alignment. Aim for a consistent toss to improve ball contact and power.

Try this drill:

1. Set up 5 targets on the opposite court
2. Serve 10 balls, aiming for each target twice
3. Keep score of successful hits
4. Repeat 3 times, trying to beat your score

Mix it up by practicing flat, topspin, and slice serves. This variety will make you less predictable to opponents.

Remember to use your whole body. Bend your knees, shift your weight, and rotate your hips for maximum power and control.

Long Rally Drills

Long rallies test your focus and shot selection. The cross-court dinking drill is perfect for this.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Start at the kitchen line with a partner
2. Dink cross-court for 2 minutes straight
3. Focus on keeping the ball low and controlled
4. Count how many successful exchanges you make
5. Take a short break, then try to beat your count

This drill improves your precision, accuracy, and patience. It also helps you learn when to be aggressive and when to play defensively.

Endurance Drills

Building stamina ensures you can play your best throughout long matches. Try this triangle dinks drill:

1. Set up three players in a triangle formation
2. Two players at the kitchen line, one at baseline
3. Dink the ball between all three players
4. Baseline player moves side to side to reach each dink
5. Rotate positions every 2 minutes
6. Continue for 15-20 minutes

This drill improves your footwork, reaction time, and cardiovascular fitness. It also mimics real game scenarios, helping you prepare for long, intense matches.

Improving Accuracy and Precision

Accuracy and precision are key skills for intermediate pickleball players. By honing these abilities, you’ll gain an edge over your opponents and improve your overall game. Let’s explore some effective drills and techniques to boost your shot placement and control.

Target Practice Drills

Set up targets on the court to sharpen your aim. Place small cones or markers at the corners of the kitchen and along the sidelines. Practice hitting these targets from different positions on the court.

Try the cross-court dinking drill to improve your accuracy. This exercise helps you develop better control and patience. Start at the kitchen line and dink diagonally across the court with a partner. Focus on landing the ball just over the net and close to the sideline.

Another useful drill is the “4 corners” exercise. Aim to hit each corner of your opponent’s court in sequence. This drill enhances precision and strategic play. It’s great for players at the 3.5 to 5.0 skill levels.

Angle Shots Drills

Mastering angle shots can give you a significant advantage. Practice hitting the ball at various angles to keep your opponents guessing.

Try the “Hit and Run” drill to work on your angled shots. Start at the baseline and hit the ball down the sideline. Your partner returns it to the opposite corner. Then, sprint across the court to return another shot down the sideline. This drill improves both your agility and shot accuracy.

Work on your backhand angles too. Set up targets at different angles on your backhand side. Practice hitting these targets with both power and finesse. This will help you develop a formidable backhand that can catch opponents off guard.

Soft Game Techniques

Developing a strong soft game is crucial for accuracy and control. Focus on dinks, drops, and resets to improve your touch.

Practice the “Dink Rally” drill. Stand at the kitchen line with a partner and engage in a continuous dink rally. Try to keep the ball low and just over the net. This helps you develop better feel and control for soft shots.

Work on your drop shots from the baseline next. Aim to land the ball just over the net in your opponent’s kitchen. Start with slower, higher arcing shots and gradually increase the speed and lower the arc as you improve.

Don’t forget about resets. When your opponent hits a hard shot, practice softening it with your paddle and dropping it into the kitchen. This skill can neutralize power players and give you time to get back into position.

Boosting Reaction Time

Quick reflexes are key in pickleball. These drills will sharpen your response time and keep you on your toes during fast-paced rallies.

Rapid Fire Volleys

Rapid fire volleys are great for boosting your reaction speed. Stand at the kitchen line with a partner. Hit soft volleys back and forth, gradually increasing the pace.

Start slow to warm up. Focus on keeping your paddle up and ready. As you get comfortable, speed up the volleys.

Try to maintain control while pushing your limits. If you make mistakes, slow down a bit. The goal is quick, accurate shots.

Mix it up by aiming for different spots on the court. This helps you react to varied shot placements.

Split-Step Drills

The split-step is crucial for quick movements. Practice this drill to improve your readiness and reaction time.

Stand at the baseline and have a partner hit shots to different areas of the court. As they hit, do a small hop – the split-step.

Land with your feet apart, ready to move in any direction. React quickly to the ball’s path and move to return it.

This drill boosts your ability to move swiftly after each shot. It keeps you light on your feet and ready to respond.

Try variations like split-stepping at the kitchen line for volleys. Or practice while your partner hits serves.

Blind Shot Drills

Blind shot drills push your reaction skills to the max. They force you to rely on quick reflexes instead of visual cues.

Face away from your partner at the kitchen line. Have them call “hit” as they send a soft shot your way.

Turn quickly and try to return the ball. This drill sharpens your ability to react and hit in a split second.

Start with slower shots and gradually increase the speed. Focus on limiting the time it takes to react.

Mix up the shots – high, low, left, right. This trains you to handle unexpected ball placements.

Partner Drills for Team Play

Want to boost your team play skills? Try these fun partner drills!

Hit and Run is a great drill to improve agility and accuracy. Start at the baseline and hit down the sideline to your partner. When they return it to the opposite corner, sprint across to hit another sideline shot.

Practice backhand to backhand dinking with your partner next. This will make you a more well-rounded player and help you take on tougher opponents.

Try the volley, lob, and overhead drill too. Hit fast volleys with your partner, then surprise them with a lob. Finish by smashing an overhead shot. This helps you work on different shot types.

Consistency drills are key. Rally with your partner, focusing on keeping the ball in play for as long as possible. This builds control and patience.

Work on serve variety together. Take turns practicing flat, topspin, and slice serves. Your partner can give feedback on each serve’s effectiveness.

Don’t forget about communication drills. Practice calling “mine” or “yours” during play to avoid confusion and collisions on the court.

Solo Drills and Wall Work

Practicing alone can boost your pickleball skills. Wall drills are great for solo practice. You don’t need a partner or court to get better.

Find a flat wall and mark a line at net height. This will be your imaginary net. Stand about 5 feet away to start.

Try these wall drills:

1. Forehand volleys
2. Backhand volleys
3. Dinks
4. Groundstrokes

Hit the ball against the wall, aiming above your line. Keep a rally going as long as you can. Count your hits to track progress.

Ball control drills are also useful. Try the “tip to grip” exercise. Bounce the ball on your paddle, alternating between the face and edge. This helps with hand-eye coordination.

For a challenge, move farther from the wall. Mix up your shots by hitting forehands, then backhands. After that, try volleys, then groundstrokes. This mimics real game situations.

Remember to focus on form. Good technique is key. Take breaks if you get tired. Quality practice beats quantity every time.

Warm-Up and Cool-Down Practices

Before you start playing pickleball, you need to warm up your body. This helps prevent injuries and gets you ready for the game. You can start with some easy exercises that target different muscle groups.

Try these simple warm-up moves:

• Arm circles
• Leg swings
• Light jogging in place
• Shoulder rolls
• Gentle stretches for your wrists and ankles

After your warm-up, do some practice drills to get your hand-eye coordination going. Hit the ball back and forth with a partner, focusing on control rather than power.

When you’re done playing, don’t forget to cool down. This helps your body recover faster. Take a few minutes to do these cool-down activities:

• Walk around the court at a slow pace
• Stretch your major muscle groups
• Take deep breaths to slow your heart rate

Remember, cooling down is often overlooked but it’s super important. It can help you feel better after playing and get you ready for your next pickleball session.

By making warm-ups and cool-downs a regular part of your pickleball routine, you’ll likely see improvements in your game and overall fitness.