Drill library
Pickleball drills
48 free Pickleball drills, each with the setup, how it runs, what to coach, and how to make it harder or easier. Pick a skill or filter by age, level and squad size.
48 drills
Volley & net playDinkingAttacking the dink: the roll volleyWait for a dink that floats too high, then take it out of the air with a topspin roll volley aimed low, without giving up the kitchen line.15 min · 2–4 players · U16+
Resets & blocksVolley & net playBlock volleys against drivesAt the kitchen line, the player soaks up hard drives with a still paddle and drops them back into the kitchen.12 min · 2–4 players · U12+
ForehandBackhandBounce-and-hit forehands and backhandsDrop the ball, let it bounce and stroke it over the net to build a smooth forehand and backhand before live feeds.12 min · 2–8 players · U8+
Cool-downCool-down and reviewSlow the session down with easy dinks, a walk and gentle stretches, then share one thing that went well and one to practise.8 min · 2–16 players · U10+
Rallying & consistencyCooperative crosscourt rallyPartners rally crosscourt off the bounce from mid-court, counting how many shots in a row they keep in the diagonal court.10 min · 2–4 players · U8+
Volley & net playResets & blocksCounter-attacking speed-upsFrom a dink rally, one player speeds the ball up at the body; the other chooses to counter it or reset it into the kitchen.15 min · 2–4 players · U16+
Fitness & agilityFootworkCourt agility conditioningShort, controlled bursts of the movements pickleball asks for: move up, split-step, shuffle along the kitchen line and turn to go back.20 min · 1–8 players · U14+
Return of serveFootworkDeep return and move to the kitchenLet the serve bounce, lift the return deep and walk forward to the kitchen line before the next ball arrives.12 min · 2–4 players · U8+
Lobs & overheadsDoubles playDefending the lob as a pairA pair at the kitchen line handle lobs together: who calls, who chases, when to switch sides and how to get back to the line safely.15 min · 2–8 players · U13+
DinkingDecision-makingDink and speed-up readCrosscourt dinking where players learn to tell an attackable ball from one to keep dinking, then speed up low and defend the counter.15 min · 2–8 players · U13+
DinkingRallying & consistencyDink rally at the kitchenPairs dink crosscourt from the kitchen line, keeping every ball unattackable.8 min · 2–8 players · U8+
DinkingTactics & patternsDink to targets in the kitchenA crosscourt dinking game with small targets in each kitchen, so players learn where a dink hurts the opponent most.15 min · 2–4 players · U11+
GameThird shotDoubles points from the third shotDoubles points that start with a fed return, so every rally is shaped by the serving team's third shot and the shots that follow.20 min · 4–8 players · U12+
Third shotDecision-makingDrop or drive under pressureThe serving team reads each return and chooses a third-shot drop or a drive, with points that reward the right choice under a tight score.20 min · 4 players · U16+
Warm-upFootworkDynamic warm-up with paddle and ballA ten-minute moving warm-up for shoulders, wrists, calves and court footwork, finishing with soft dinks and volleys.10 min · 2–8 players · U10+
GameDecision-makingEnd-of-game pressure pointsShort doubles games that start at a tight score, so players practise calling the score, choosing safe shots and closing out under pressure.25 min · 4–8 players · U16+
Volley & net playTactics & patternsErne and around-the-post awarenessSpot the sideline dink that opens an Erne and the wide ball that allows an around-the-post shot, and play both legally.15 min · 2–4 players · U16+
DinkingForehand and backhand dink controlPartners dink straight across the net, building a soft, repeatable touch on the forehand, then the backhand, then both.12 min · 2–8 players · U10+
Doubles playFootworkGetting to the kitchen as a teamDoubles pairs practise the journey from the baseline to the kitchen line after the serve, return and third shot, arriving side by side.15 min · 4–8 players · U12+
DrivesForehandGroundstroke drives crosscourtBaseline partners rally firm, low drives on the diagonal, building a repeatable forehand and then backhand drive.15 min · 2–4 players · U11+
Volley & net playHands battle: fast volley exchangesPlayers at the kitchen line trade quick, compact volleys to sharpen reactions, blocks and counters, under strict eyewear and target rules.10 min · 2–8 players · U14+
Volley & net playDecision-makingKitchen rules walk-throughWalk through when players may and may not volley near the non-volley zone, then test the rules with live feeds.12 min · 2–8 players · U8+
Volley & net playGameKitchen volley battleBoth players at the kitchen line trade volleys, playing out the point from a hand feed.12 min · 2–8 players · U10+
Doubles playDecision-makingMiddle ball communicationPartners at the kitchen line learn who takes the ball down the middle, calling early and clearly so nothing slips between them.12 min · 2–8 players · U12+