Pickleball Training Drills in the UK to Improve Your Game
Pickleball training drills in the UK to be ahead of the curve. More players are joining clubs, competing in tournaments, and working on their skills. But if you really want to take your game to the next level, you need structured practice—not just endless games.
That’s where pickleball training drills come in. Whether you’re a beginner looking to build confidence or an experienced player fine-tuning your technique, these drills will help you play smarter, react faster, and win more points.
In this guide, we’ll cover the best training drills for UK pickleball players, designed to improve:
✅ Your serves and returns
✅ Your dinking skills
✅ Your third shot drop (arguably the most important shot in the game!)
✅ Your reaction time and footwork
✅ Your overall consistency and control
So, grab your paddle, head to the courts, and let’s get drilling! 🏓🔥
1️⃣ Serve & Return Drills – Start Strong Every Time
A good serve sets up the entire rally, while a strong return keeps your opponent on the back foot. If you can master these two shots, you’ll instantly win more points.
Drill 1: Deep Serve Target Practice
🎯 Purpose: Improve accuracy and consistency on your serve.
🔹 Place cones or towels in the back corners of the service box.
🔹 Try to land 10 consecutive serves within 1-2 feet of the cone.
🔹 Once you’re consistent, add spin or power to your serves.
🔥 Pro Tip: A deep serve makes it harder for your opponent to rush to the net. Aim for their backhand whenever possible!
Drill 2: Return of Serve Placement
🎯 Purpose: Keep your opponent back and set yourself up at the kitchen.
🔹 Have a partner serve to you.
🔹 Your goal is to hit a deep, controlled return every time.
🔹 Alternate between crosscourt and down-the-line returns.
🔥 Pro Tip: Always follow your return to the kitchen line so you’re in position for the next shot!
2️⃣ The Dinking Game – Control the Rally Like a Pro
Dinking is one of the most crucial skills in pickleball. It keeps your opponents at bay, forces mistakes, and sets up winning shots.
Drill 3: Crosscourt Dink Battle
🎯 Purpose: Improve precision and control at the kitchen.
🔹 Stand opposite your partner, diagonally across the court.
🔹 Dink only crosscourt, aiming for consistency and height control.
🔹 Play to 20 shots in a row without an error.
🔥 Pro Tip: Crosscourt dinks give you more margin for error and make it harder for opponents to attack.
Drill 4: Dink & Attack
🎯 Purpose: Learn when to transition from dinks to attack shots.
🔹 Start a dinking rally at the kitchen.
🔹 After 5-10 dinks, the first player to get a high ball can attack.
🔹 The other player must react and reset the rally back to dinks.
🔥 Pro Tip: Patience wins games! Wait for a high ball before attacking, and don’t force it.
3️⃣ The Third Shot Drop – The Most Important Drill in Pickleball
The third shot drop is a soft shot that lands in your opponent’s kitchen, allowing you to move forward to the net. If you don’t master this shot, you’ll stay stuck at the baseline—and lose more rallies.
Drill 5: Third Shot Drop Consistency
🎯 Purpose: Develop control and accuracy for the perfect third shot drop.
🔹 Stand at the baseline and have a partner at the kitchen.
🔹 Hit third shot drops that land softly in the kitchen.
🔹 Aim for 20 successful shots in a row before moving on.
🔥 Pro Tip: If your third shot drop is too high, your opponent will attack. Keep it low and soft!
4️⃣ Volley Reaction Drills – Get Faster at the Net
At higher levels of play, volleys happen fast. If you can’t react quickly at the kitchen line, you’ll be on the losing end of speed battles.
Drill 6: Rapid Fire Volley Exchange
🎯 Purpose: Improve reflexes and reaction speed.
🔹 Stand at the kitchen line with your partner.
🔹 Volley the ball back and forth as fast as possible.
🔹 Keep the ball in control, not just hitting hard.
🔥 Pro Tip: Keep your paddle up and ready, instead of swinging wildly.
Drill 7: Paddle Up Reflex Drill
🎯 Purpose: Train your body to react instinctively at the net.
🔹 Your partner feeds rapid shots at your body.
🔹 Your job is to block and reset the shots softly into the kitchen.
🔥 Pro Tip: If you hold your paddle too low, you’ll lose quick volley battles. Keep it at chest level to react faster!
5️⃣ Footwork & Movement Drills – Get to the Right Spot Faster
Pickleball isn’t just about hitting the ball well—it’s about being in the right place at the right time. Good footwork makes everything else easier.
Drill 8: Split Step & Shuffle Drill
🎯 Purpose: Improve footwork and balance at the kitchen line.
🔹 Stand at the kitchen line, facing a partner or a coach.
🔹 As they feed shots, you split step and shuffle to react.
🔹 Always reset to your ready position after each shot.
🔥 Pro Tip: Never cross your feet when moving laterally—use small, controlled steps instead.
Bonus: Competitive Drill – The “7-Second Rule”
Want to train under real match conditions? Try this competitive drill.
Drill 9: The 7-Second Challenge
🎯 Purpose: Simulate real match pressure and improve quick decision-making.
🔹 Start a rally at the kitchen with a partner.
🔹 Every 7 seconds, a player must hit an attacking shot.
🔹 The goal is to learn when to attack or reset under pressure.
🔥 Pro Tip: This drill improves shot selection and patience—two key skills of a top player.
Final Thoughts – How to Improve Fast with Pickleball Drills
If you want to level up your pickleball game, these drills will help you:
✅ Develop a stronger serve & return – Gain control from the start.
✅ Master dinking & kitchen control – Dictate the pace of play.
✅ Improve your third shot drop – Set up winning positions.
✅ React faster at the net – Win more volleys and fast exchanges.
✅ Move better on the court – Be in the right spot at the right time.
Train smarter, not just harder. Set aside 15-30 minutes per session for focused drills, and you’ll see rapid improvement in your game!
