Top Ten Volleying Drills to Level Up Your Pickleball Net Game

Introduction: The Beauty of Drills in Pickleball

I remember standing on the court for the first time, paddle in hand, heart pounding with anticipation. The pickleball court, with its peculiar dimensions and distinctive markings, seemed both inviting and daunting. Now, after countless hours of play, I can affirm that the true beauty of this game lies in its deceptive simplicity. While pickleball is easy to pick up, mastering it requires a blend of practice, patience, and the right partner.

The essence of this article revolves around one fundamental concept: drilling. And not just drilling for the sake of going through the motions, but purposeful, focused drilling that pushes us to improve.

Why Drilling is Essential

As in any sport, repetition is the cornerstone of mastery in pickleball. There is a beauty in the repetitive rhythm of drills, in the way our muscles gradually remember movements, fine-tuning themselves with every practice session.

Drilling is where you take a magnifying glass to your gameplay, focusing on the nitty-gritty details. It’s where you break down every shot, every movement, every strategy into digestible parts. It’s about engraining that ‘muscle memory’ into your very being, until your body knows what to do even before your brain tells it.

This site is very dedicated to helping beginners improve their pickleball game. If there were a quick and easy way to do that without drilling we would be the first to advocate for it.

Owing it to Your Partner: The Social Contract of Drilling

Let’s talk about drilling partners. Pickleball, at its heart, is a social game. The person across the net from you during your drill sessions isn’t just a partner – they’re an integral part of your journey. They are the mirror reflecting your strengths and areas for improvement.

Being mentally present and focused during drills isn’t just about your growth; it’s about your partner’s growth as well. It’s a social contract of sorts – you owe them your full attention, just as they owe you theirs.

And so, the following list of drills isn’t just a collection of practice exercises. It’s a pact between you and your drill partner, a promise to work together and push each other towards the common goal of becoming better pickleball players.

So, strap on your pickleball shoes, grab your paddle, and let’s dive into these 11 drills that will elevate your volleying skills.

Drill #1: The Fundamentals of Straight-On Volleys

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The first drill we’re going to focus on is all about the straight volley shots. This drill is about more than just keeping the ball in the air; it’s about precision, control, and endurance. As you and your partner exchange volleys across the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) line, aim for consistency and steadiness in your movements. Make your stroke compact and controlled, as if you’re pushing or punching the ball with your paddle. Trust me, this simple exercise can work wonders for your volleying technique.

Drill #2: Adding Movement with “Closing In” Volleys

Building on the previous drill, “Closing In” Volleys add a touch of agility to your practice. Start off by volleying from the NVZ line, and after a few volleys, take one step closer to the net. This drill aims to improve your coordination and reaction time while keeping the volleys continuous and controlled.

Drill #3: Stepping into the Kitchen with Close Volleys

Let’s spice things up by bringing Close Volleys into the mix. For this one, you’ll position yourself halfway or three-quarters of the way between the net and the NVZ line. It’s a unique experience, almost as if you’re right in the ‘kitchen’, hence the name. Although it feels counterintuitive, practicing volleys from within the kitchen can be incredibly beneficial for improving your reaction time and precision.

Drill #4: Targeting Precision with FH to FH Volleys

Next up, let’s give some love to the Forehand (FH) volleys. Station yourselves at the NVZ lines and direct your volleys towards your partner’s forehand side. Keep your returns swift and your movements subtle. This drill isn’t just about enhancing your forehand volleys; it’s about learning to swiftly return to a ready position and incorporating body movements to deliver powerful shots.

Drill #5: Balancing the Equation with BH to BH Volleys

To balance things out, we’ll follow up with a drill focusing on Backhand (BH) volleys. It might be challenging initially, but trust me, a well-executed backhand volley can be a game-changer. Keep practicing, and before you know it, you’ll have another formidable weapon in your pickleball arsenal.

Drill #6: Tracing Patterns with “Figure 8” Volleys

Now let’s amp up the fun with the “Figure 8” volley drill. In this advanced exercise, you’ll make “figure 8” patterns with your paddles, switching back and forth between forehand and backhand while keeping your feet as stationary as possible. Remember, the key to this drill is balance and minimal unnecessary movement. It might take some time to get the hang of it, but once you do, you’ll see a significant improvement in your coordination and control.

Drill #7: Refining Reaction Time with Quick Feed Volleys

Get ready for a pulse-pounding exercise with Quick Feed Volleys. One player will “feed” the volley by dropping the ball and hitting it towards the other player, who has to “block” it and send it back. This drill tests your hand-eye coordination and helps you react quickly to incoming volleys. It’s challenging and intense, but it’s one of those drills that really push your skills to the limit.

Drill #8: Mastering Lateral Movement with “Leading” Moving Volleys

Lateral movement is a vital skill on the pickleball court, and that’s exactly what the “Leading” Moving Volleys drill aims to improve. Start from one sideline and move towards the opposite one while maintaining a volley exchange. Each volley you make should “lead” your partner towards the side you’re both moving towards. This exercise will improve your coordination and effective movement on the court.

Drill #9: Adding a Twist with Straight-On Moving Volleys

Taking a cue from the previous drill, the Straight-On Moving Volleys drill adds an extra layer of challenge to your lateral movement and volleying skills. This time around, keep your feet square or straight-on with your partner, rather than moving in sync with them. The key here is to maintain balance and stability while also focusing on your shots and footwork.

Drill #10: Building Strategy with “You-Go-I-Go” Volleys

The “You-Go-I-Go” Volleys drill introduces a new element of strategy and adaptability to your volleying repertoire. One player remains stationary while the other player moves towards the opposite sideline. This exercise forces you to adjust your shots based on the increasing distance between you and your partner. It’s a fantastic way to simulate real game scenarios and adapt your volleying strategy accordingly.

BONUS: Drill #11: Injecting Fun into Practice with “Bryan Brothers” Volleys

Finally, to wrap things up on a fun and energetic note, let’s try the “Bryan Brothers” drill. Named after the famous Bryan Brothers of tennis fame, this drill adds an element of excitement to your practice session. You’ll engage in a volley exchange while simultaneously stepping towards your respective opposite sidelines. It’s a fantastic way to round off your volley practice session while further refining your skills.

Wrapping Up

Remember, in the world of pickleball, drills are more than just repetitive practice. They’re your stepping stones to becoming a more versatile, resilient, and skillful player. So, show up to your practice sessions with dedication, focus, and a drive to improve. Respect the time and effort of your drill partner by staying engaged and committed. With time, patience, and lots of practice, you’ll see these drills reflect in your on-court performance.

Take the challenge, embrace the drills, and watch as your volleying skills level up. Happy drilling!

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Mikhail Ricci

Dink Evaluator at Pickleballologist

Hey there, I'm Mike. I'm a pickleball aficionado by day, pickleball dreamer by night, and honestly, the only thing I'm probably worse at than avoiding tripping over my own shoelaces is resisting the addictive allure of pickleball.

I hail from the picturesque landscapes of Denver, Colorado, where the pickleball scene is as vibrant as our city's sunsets. The game has changed my life in ways I never thought a sport could. You see, before I got hooked, my closest encounter with a racket was a fly swatter.

As far as my coaching credentials go, well, it's a classic underdog story. I was once the guy who couldn't tell a pickleball paddle from a pizza peel, and now I'm proudly sporting the title of Master Teaching Professional from the IPTPA. If that doesn't give hope to all my fellow klutzes, I don't know what will!

My love for pickleball goes far beyond the court. I run the In2Pickle YouTube channel, which is a blend of pickleball tactics, bloopers (mostly mine), and heartfelt stories from players whose lives have been touched by the sport. If you're more into listening than watching, you can catch me chatting about everything pickleball-related on my Pickleball Therapy podcast. And if that isn't enough, I've also penned a book titled "Play Pickleball", where I share everything from basic rules to advanced strategies, and of course, anecdotes of my own hilarious mishaps.

Social FTW!

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