Pickleball · Cool-down

Cool-down and review

Slow the session down with easy dinks, a walk and gentle stretches, then share one thing that went well and one to practise.

P1P2P3P4CO
Start / 5
Time
8 min
Players
2–16
Age
U10+
Area
Full court
Equipment
4 pickleballspaddleswater bottles

Setup

  1. Players pair up at the kitchen line, straight across the net from a partner.
  2. Keep water bottles nearby; outdoors, gather in the shade if there is any.

How it runs

  1. Two minutes of slow, soft dinks straight across the net, letting breathing settle.
  2. Put the balls away and walk an easy lap around the outside of the court.
  3. Gather on one side for gentle stretches, holding each for a slow count of 20: calves against a fence or wall, hamstrings, quads, forearms and wrists, and a cross-body shoulder stretch.
  4. Finish in a circle: each player names one thing that went well today and one thing to practise next time.

Coaching points

  • Stretches should feel mild, never painful, and with no bouncing.
  • Breathe slowly and steadily through each hold.
  • Keep review comments short and specific: 'more serves landed deep' tells you more than 'it was good'.
  • Drink water, especially after an outdoor session in the heat.

Common mistakes

  • Skipping the cool-down and walking straight off court.
  • Turning the slow dinks into a competitive rally.
  • Vague review comments that are hard to act on.

Say it: “Slow down, stretch, reflect.”

Make it harder

  • Partners give each other one specific tip before the circle.
  • Players set a goal for next session and check it at the start.

Make it easier

  • Seated or supported stretches for anyone tired or less mobile.
  • The coach leads the review with a quick thumbs up or down for each skill.

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.