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Partner
Dinking
Reset
Build a dinking rally, introduce a speedup, then practice absorbing pace and resetting softly into the kitchen.
Setup
Both players at the kitchen line, one ball in play.
How to Run
- Start a cross-court dinking rally — keep it soft and controlled.
- Either player fires a speedup at any time, aiming at the opponent's body or shoulder.
- Receiver absorbs the pace and resets softly back into the kitchen — no counter-attack.
- Once reset, return to dinking and repeat.
Focus Points
- Soft hands on the reset — open face, absorb pace.
- Don't flinch or pop up the reset.
- Vary speedup targets (backhand hip, forehand shoulder).
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Partner
Volleys
Rapid-fire volley exchanges at close range to train hand speed and reflex volleys.
Setup
Both at the kitchen line (or one step inside the NVZ). One ball, rapid fire.
How to Run
- Start a volley exchange — keep the paddle up and in front.
- Both players volley continuously without letting the ball bounce.
- Vary pace: slow and controlled bursts, then sudden speed.
- Try stepping one foot inside the NVZ to shrink reaction time.
Focus Points
- Compact swing — no big backswing.
- Paddle stays up between shots.
- Eyes on the ball, not the opponent.
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Partner
Drop
Reset
Movement
Start at the kitchen, earn your way back to baseline then back forward — practicing drops and resets from every position.
Setup
Both players start at the kitchen line. One feeds, one works.
How to Run
- Start dinking from the kitchen.
- After 3 quality shots, take one step back.
- Each set of 3 good shots earns another step back — reach the baseline.
- Reverse: 3 good shots earns a step forward. Goal: reach the kitchen again cleanly.
Focus Points
- Adjust shot selection as you move back — more drops, less dinking.
- "Good shot" = lands in kitchen or forces a neutral response.
- Communicate with your partner what counts.
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Partner
Drop
Movement
Start at the baseline and fight your way up to the kitchen while your partner tries to keep you pinned back.
Partner (keeping you back)
Setup
Working player starts at the baseline. Partner starts at the kitchen line.
How to Run
- Worker drives, drops, or resets — anything to neutralize and advance.
- Kitchen partner hits aggressively to keep the worker back.
- Worker wins if they reach the kitchen without popping the ball up.
- Rotate roles every few points.
Variations
- Worker can only use drops (no drives) for extra difficulty.
- Kitchen player must keep one foot in the NVZ at all times.
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Partner
Dinking
Movement
Play 1v1 on a half-width court to isolate cross-court or straight-on patterns and sharpen shot placement.
Right half shown (cross-court)
Court Setup
- Even/Right: both use right service box — play cross-court.
- Odd/Left: both use left service box — play cross-court.
- Mixed: one on each side — play straight on (down the line).
How to Run
- Serve and play a full point within the designated half of the court.
- All shots must land in that half — out loses the point.
- Play to 11, win by 2.
Focus Points
- Forces precise placement — less room to hide errors.
- Excellent for drilling cross-court dinks and drops.
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Group
Dinking
Game Format
4-player game with 2 live crosscourt dink rallies — miss a dink and a "dingle" is called, putting a bonus point on the line.
Setup
Standard doubles, 4 players, 2 balls in play simultaneously.
How to Run
- Both balls put into play at the start of each point (one from each side) — both rallies are played crosscourt.
- When a player misses a dink, call out "Dingle!"
- Team that wins both contested points earns 2 points.
- If split, no points — restart.
- Play to 7.
Why It Works
Creates pressure on dinking consistency. The dingle call adds accountability without stopping play.
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Partner
Serving
Movement
Focus on deep serves and deep returns, then practice the transition up to the kitchen after each shot.
Setup
Standard positions — server at baseline, returner at baseline.
How to Run
- Server focuses on a deep serve — aim for the back 2 feet of the service box.
- Returner hits a deep return and immediately moves to the kitchen line.
- Server hits a third shot (drop or drive) and begins their advance.
- Continue with emphasis on the transition phase.
Variations
- Serve/return only — track depth without playing the point.
- Mark targets in back court with cones.
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Partner
Drop
Isolate the third shot drop from multiple positions — the most important shot in pickleball to master.
Setup
Feeder at kitchen line. Worker starts at baseline. Move worker around for variety.
How to Run
- Feeder tosses or hits to the worker at various depths and angles.
- Worker drops the ball softly into the kitchen — should peak before the net.
- Feeder gives feedback: in kitchen, attackable, or long.
- Move worker to mid-court, angled spots, no-man's land.
Focus Points
- Apex of drop should be on your side of the net.
- Relaxed arm swing — not a punch or flick.
- Aim cross-court (longer diagonal = more margin).
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Partner
Reset
Practice absorbing fast volleys from no-man's land and resetting the ball softly into the kitchen.
Setup
Partner at the kitchen line. Worker positioned in no-man's land (mid-court transition zone).
How to Run
- Partner feeds or drives balls at the worker — mix speeds and heights.
- Worker's only job: reset every ball softly into the kitchen.
- No counter-attacks — pure reset practice.
- Aim to make the reset unattackable (low over the net, in the kitchen).
Focus Points
- Soft grip — loose hands absorb pace better.
- Open paddle face slightly to lift the ball over the net.
- Take the ball in front of your body.
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Partner
Dinking
Movement
Dink while sliding left and right along the kitchen line — building footwork habits to stay balanced across the full court width.
Setup
Both players at the kitchen line, cross-court or straight-on dinking rally.
How to Run
- Start a normal dinking rally.
- After each shot, shuffle one step left or right (moving around the clock face).
- Both players move together — cover the full width of the court.
- Keep the rally going as you reposition, adjusting angle as you slide.
Focus Points
- Shuffle — don't cross your feet.
- Adjust dink angle based on court position.
- Maintain a split-step between shots for readiness.
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