20 Best Pickleball Drills For two | The Ultimate Guide 2023
So you’ve got a paddle, a pickleball, and a partner. What’s next? Amp up your game with pickleball drills for two! It’s fun, challenging, and exactly what you need to sharpen those skills.
Why Drills Are Better with Two Players
The saying “two heads are better than one” definitely holds true for pickleball. With a partner, you can simulate real game situations, get instant feedback, and even add a layer of healthy competition. Plus, it’s way more fun than talking to a wall, right?
#20 Best Pickleball Drills For Two
#1 Forehand and Backhand Drill
If you want to smash it out of the park—or, more accurately, into your opponent’s court—then mastering your forehand and backhand is essential. This drill involves standing across the net from your partner and exchanging forehand and backhand shots. It’s one of the best 2 player pickleball drills you can do!
#2 Volley Drills
Volleying is all about quick reflexes. Stand about three feet from the net and try to hit volleys back and forth without letting the ball bounce. No cheatsies; keep that ball in the air!
#3 Serving and Returning Drills
Serves set the tone of the match. To practice, take turns serving and returning serves. Aim for precision rather than power initially. Plus, this is a great time to practice those tricky underhand serves!
#4 Net Play Drills
Being quick at the net can make or break your game. Try quick volleys and reflex shots near the net. You’ll find your reaction time becoming faster, and those smashes becoming a whole lot easier to defend against.
#5 The Drop Shot Drill
Drop shots can be absolute game-changers. Practice hitting a high ball softly so that it just barely clears the net and drops into the kitchen. Your partner should try to return it, and vice versa.
#6 Speed and Agility Drills
Feeling a bit like a snail on the court? Try agility ladders or zig-zag running drills with your partner. It’s all about quick feet, baby!
#7 Team Communication Drills
You’ve got to talk the talk and walk the walk. Communication is key in doubles. Call out shots, decide who takes what, and always high-five after a good point.
#8 Skill-Targeting Drills
Focus: Enhanced Specialized Skill
Some easy pickleball drills for two players focus on specific skills like spinning the ball, hitting lobs, or executing dinks. Pick one skill each day and go ham on it!
#9 Overhead Smash Drill
Focus: Power and accuracy
The overhead smash is your finishing move in pickleball. One player lobs the ball while the other smashes it down. This is all about timing and power.
#10 Side-to-Side Movement Drills
Focus: Lateral quickness and agility
Put some cones on each side of the court. Rally the ball while moving laterally from cone to cone. This will help you get to those tough sideways shots.
#11 Dinking Drills
Focus: Soft touch and precision
Play out points using only dinks to improve your soft game. Aim to place the ball close to the net to catch your opponent off guard.
#12 Groundstroke Drills
Focus: Consistency and placement
Rally back and forth using only groundstrokes, aiming for consistency. Count how many you can get in a row to track your progress.
#13 Double Trouble Drill
Focus: Team coordination
This one requires excellent timing and positioning with your partner. Both of you need to move in sync and take turns hitting volleys and groundstrokes.
#14 Cross-Court Passing Drill
Focus: Angle and placement
Work on hitting acute angles with this drill. This skill comes in handy when your opponent likes to hog the net.
#15 Ball Control Drills
Focus: Spin and pace
Get to grips with different spins and paces. Try alternating between spinning the ball and hitting it flat to become an unpredictable opponent.
#16 Defensive Drills
Focus: Reflexes and quick decision-making
Work on blocking smashes and reacting to quick volleys. Use the defensive stance to be ready for any incoming shots.
#17 Footwork Drills
Focus: Agility and speed
Work on your shuffle, lateral movement, and quick starts and stops. A cone zig-zag is a great way to work on this skill set.
#18 Endurance Drills
Focus: Stamina and resilience
Work on your overall fitness with long rallies or court sprints. The longer you can last, the better you can play.
#19 Reaction Time Drills
Focus: Quick reflexes
One player rapidly hits balls to the other, mixing up the pace and direction. The goal is to react as quickly as possible to return the ball.
#20 Cross-Court Passing Drill
Focus: Angle and placement
Work on hitting acute angles with this drill. This skill comes in handy when your opponent likes to hog the net.
Comparison Table: 20 Pickleball Drills for Two
Drill Type | Primary Focus | Difficulty Level |
---|---|---|
Forehand and Backhand Drills | Control & Accuracy | Easy |
Volley Drills | Reflexes & Timing | Intermediate |
Serve and Return Drills | Serve Consistency & Returns | Easy |
Net Game Drills | Quick Reflexes & Net Play | Intermediate |
Skill Targeting Drill | Precision | Intermediate |
Overhead Smash Drill | Power and Accuracy | Advanced |
Side-to-Side Movement Drills | Lateral Quickness and Agility | Intermediate |
Dinking Drills | Soft Touch and Precision | Easy |
Groundstroke Drills | Consistency and Placement | Intermediate |
Double Trouble Drill | Team Coordination | Intermediate |
Cross-Court Passing Drill | Angle and Placement | Advanced |
Ball Control Drills | Spin and Pace | Advanced |
Defensive Drills | Reflexes and Quick Decision | Intermediate |
Footwork Drills | Agility and Speed | Easy |
Endurance Drills | Stamina and Resilience | Intermediate |
Reaction Time Drills | Quick Reflexes | Advanced |
Drop Shot Drills | Soft Touch and Placement | Intermediate |
Slicing Drills | Spin and Control | Advanced |
Lobbing Drills | Defensive and Offensive Lobs | Intermediate |
Wall Practice Drills | Control and Consistency | Easy |
Conclusion
So there you have it, 20 pickleball drills for two designed to elevate your game to new heights. Grab a partner and head to the court. Because if you’re not practicing, you’re not improving!
How often should I practice these drills?
At least twice a week to see significant improvement.
Can these drills be modified for solo play?
Some can, but the best practice is always against a real opponent.
Do I need special equipment?
A standard pickleball set and a willing partner are all you need!