Pickleball Training at Home: Top 5 Drills to Try!

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in America, with millions of people playing it for fun, exercise, and competition.

It's a game that is easy to pick up, but as you start playing more often, you'll find there's a lot to learn to improve your skills. Luckily, you can practice your pickleball skills at home with just a little space and a willingness to work hard.

In this blog post, we'll cover some of the best drills you can do at home to become a better pickleball player.

What Do You Need to Practice Pickleball at Home?

Practicing pickleball at home requires minimal equipment. At a minimum, you will need a pickleball paddle and pickleball balls. If you also have a net, even better.

These essentials are enough to set up and basic pickleball court at home. However, if you're looking to take your game to the next level, investing in a pickleball machine can help you improve your precision and speed.

Before you start practicing at home, it's essential to do a proper warm-up. Stretch your muscles and get your heart rate up before hitting the paddle.

Top 5 Pickleball Drills at Home

Whether you’re playing pickleball for fun or competitively, it's important to develop your own game. With a few simple pieces of equipment and the right drills, you can hone your skills in the comfort of your own home.

Pickleball training at home is an excellent way to improve your performance on the court without having to go out and find a partner or head to a pickleball club. Here are five of the best drills that will help take your game up to another level.

1. Wall drills

One of the easiest ways to practice pickleball at home is to use a wall. Find a flat wall, and practice hitting the ball with your paddle against it at different angles. This drill is great for practicing your accuracy and reaction time.

Start with some easy shots, and gradually increase the difficulty as you improve. You can also try different hitting techniques, such as forehand and backhand strokes.

Wall drills are great for improving your hand-eye coordination and boosting reaction time, both of which are essential skills in a pickleball game. With regular practice, you can learn how to anticipate shots and react to them faster.

Moreover, this drill also helps you improve your accuracy by teaching you how to control the ball's speed and spin trajectory.

2. Shadow swings

This drill is all about perfecting your form. Stand in front of a mirror, hold your paddle in your hand, and practice your swings without a ball. Focus on your posture while doing the shadow swings drill.

Make sure you're standing up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart, and keep your hips and shoulders square. Pay attention to your feet, hand positioning, and the angle of your paddle. This drill is fantastic for hammering out any bad habits and perfecting your technique.

It's also important to focus on the angle of your paddle – make sure you're not holding it too high or too low. Practicing with this level of precision will help you develop proper form and technique.

3. Footwork drills

Footwork is incredibly important in pickleball, and you can work on it even if you don't have a partner to play against. Use cones or objects to simulate a court and practice moving in different directions quickly and efficiently. This drill will improve your on-court speed and agility.

Footwork is essential for any pickleball game, and the best way to improve your footwork is through practice. For example, start with a simple drill like the “ready position” drill where you stand in a ready position and move your feet in different directions as if you’re playing the game. This will help you develop your speed.

4. Serve drills

Serves are one of the most important aspects of pickleball and one that is often overlooked in training.

Start with some basic drills like tossing a ball against a wall or target and then consistently hitting it back in the same spot. To up your serving game, try setting up a row of cones or water bottles on the other side of the court or even against a wall.

Practice hitting your serves as accurately as possible, aiming to knock over each cone or bottle. This will help you improve your ball placement and power.

Another way to do the serving practice is to just place a towel on the floor and try to land the ball on it with each shot. You can change the position of the towel to work at different angles.

5. Bucket Drill

The bucket drill is a great way to improve your shot accuracy and consistency. All you need is a bucket and a few pickleballs.

Set the bucket a few feet away from you and then practice hitting the ball into the bucket. The goal is to make as many shots into the bucket as possible while maintaining control and accuracy. If you miss the bucket, then you have to start over!

The bucket drill is an essential part of pickleball training and can be used to improve your shot accuracy and consistency. It helps you learn how to hit the ball with more control, as well as develop your precision in aiming at certain targets.

You can also use it to practice different types of shots like drop shots and forehand smashes. This drill is great for all levels of players, from beginners to pros.

Benefits of Pickleball Machines

Pickleball machines are great pickleball training aids and can be used to help you hone your skills and improve your game.

Investing in a pickleball machine may seem like a big step, but it can be a great way to practice many different drills. You can program the machine to give you balls with different spins and speeds, and you can practice your reaction time and accuracy.

Machines are also a great way to practice your shots without worrying about getting a partner. They allow you to practice multiple types of shots, and control speed, and direction, making training more exciting and valuable. This allows for more accurate practice and greater improvement in playing pickleball.

Conclusion:

Pickleball is a fun and exciting sport that anyone can enjoy. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, practicing at home can help you improve your game. Use these drills to work on your accuracy, footwork, and technique.

If you're serious about improving your skills, consider investing in a pickleball machine to help take your training to the next level.

With dedication and hard work, you'll be a top pickleball player in no time! With these drills and tips, you can learn how to play like a pro and enjoy playing pickleball even more.

If you're looking for the best pickleball equipment, check out our top picks! We've done all the research for you, so you don't have to!

Tap Here to See Our Top 5 Picks for The Best Pickleball Machines

Tap Here to See Our Top 5 Picks for The Best Pickleball Balls

Be sure to check out our other pickleball and sports & fitness blog posts!