Pickleball · Resets & blocks · Volley & net play

Block volleys against drives

At the kitchen line, the player soaks up hard drives with a still paddle and drops them back into the kitchen.

P1P2
Start / 5
Time
12 min
Players
2–4
Age
U12+
Area
Full court
Equipment
20 pickleballspaddles2 protective eyewearball basket or bucket

Setup

  1. The blocker stands at the kitchen line, paddle up in front of the chest.
  2. The driver stands at the opposite baseline with a basket of balls.
  3. Protective eyewear for both players; this drill isn't run without it.

How it runs

  1. The driver drops a ball, lets it bounce and drives it at the blocker's body between the hips and chest, or at the feet. Never aim at the head.
  2. The blocker meets it in front and blocks it softly into the driver's kitchen.
  3. Start at medium pace for ten balls, then build up to firm drives once the blocks are landing short.
  4. Mix forehand, backhand and body drives. Swap after 20 balls.

Coaching points

  • Keep the paddle still and out in front: the ball's pace does the work.
  • Loosen the grip slightly so the paddle absorbs the ball rather than bouncing it back.
  • For a ball at the body, a backhand block covers more space than a forehand.
  • Stay balanced behind the line: falling forward into the kitchen after a volley is a fault.

Common mistakes

  • Swinging at the drive and sending it long.
  • Squeezing the grip so the block flies back hard and high.
  • Leaning back or turning the head away; eyewear helps players keep watching the ball.

Say it: “Still paddle, soft grip.”

Make it harder

  • The driver chooses the target at random and varies the pace.
  • After the block, the driver may play on and the point continues.

Make it easier

  • Drive from mid-court at a gentle pace.
  • Accept any block that lands short of the driver's baseline, then narrow it to the kitchen.

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.