Pickleball Drills For Intermediate Players: Win More Points

Practice targeted dinks, drops, volleys, footwork, and serve-return patterns often.

If you know the basics and want to win more, you’re in the right place. I coach players who sit right between casual and competitive, and I’ve built this guide to focus on pickleball drills for intermediate players that boost confidence, control, and smart shot choices. Read on for practical, tested drills that translate to real points and fewer unforced errors.

How to use this guide and gear up

This plan centers on pickleball drills for intermediate players that improve control, footwork, and decisions. You will get clear steps, simple targets, and ways to track progress.

Bring two paddles if possible, plenty of balls, and a marker for targets. Warm up first. Set one specific goal per session, like more drop consistency or fewer pop-ups. Record short clips on your phone to review paddle angle and spacing.

Aim for three sessions a week. Keep each to 60–90 minutes.
Use targets: cones, tape, or chalk. Hit, measure, adjust.
Keep a simple log: serves made, drop success, dink depth, and unforced errors.

Warm-up and footwork foundation

Solid movement powers most pickleball drills for intermediate players. Warm muscles, get your split step timing, and set your balance before you strike a ball.

Start with a five-minute dynamic warm-up. Use arm circles, leg swings, and trunk turns. Add light shuffles and a few short sprints. Finish with 20 air squats and 20 calf raises.

Footwork mini-circuit, 8–10 minutes:

Split step timing: Partner tosses a ball; you split as they start the toss. Do 20 reps.
Side shuffle to stop: Shuffle three steps, plant outside foot, and hold balance. Five reps each way.
Crossover recoveries: From the kitchen, retreat two steps with crossovers, then return. Ten reps.
Ladder or line hops: Quick in-out hops for 30 seconds, rest, then repeat three times.

Dinking mastery at the kitchen

Dinking is the beating heart of pickleball drills for intermediate players. You want low, unattackable dinks that set up a high ball for you or your partner.

Core dinking drills:

Crosscourt dinks only: Aim two feet inside the sideline and past the kitchen line. Play to 21, rally scoring. Track net height and arc.
Triangle pattern: From your right kitchen corner, hit three dinks to three targets: crosscourt, middle, and straight ahead. Do sets of 15, then switch sides.
Depth control game: One point for a dink that lands within 12–24 inches of the kitchen line. Lose a point if you pop it up.

Add pressure:

One-up, one-back: Your partner holds the kitchen; you dink from mid-court. Your goal is to reset without popping up. Rotate after two minutes.

Third shot drop and drive mix

The third shot decides who controls the net, which is why it anchors pickleball drills for intermediate players. Learn both the drop and the drive so you can choose the right tool.

Drop progression:

No-net drop: Stand at baseline. Aim for an arc that would clear the net by 12–18 inches and land in the kitchen. Hit 50 balls. Focus on soft hands and forward lift.
Live net drop: Partner at kitchen blocks passive. You must land 7 of 10 in the kitchen to pass each round. Move targets around.

Drive-and-follow:

Alternate drop and drive: Serve, then hit a drop. Next point, serve and drive at hip height. Follow to the kitchen both times. Track which option wins more points in five short games.

Decision game:

Coach call: On serve, a partner calls “drop” or “drive” at contact. You must adjust. This trains fast reads and clean mechanics.

Transition zone resets

The space between baseline and kitchen is where rallies are won. This makes reset work a must in pickleball drills for intermediate players.

Reset drill flow:

Cooperative resets: Start mid-court. Partner feeds firm balls at chest and hips. You absorb pace, aim to land in the kitchen, and hold your ground. Do three sets of 20 balls.
Small target resets: Place a small towel in the kitchen. Land five in a row. If you miss, restart the count.

Put out fires:

Firefight to reset: Start at the kitchen in a fast volley exchange. On the whistle, one player “fires” and moves you back. You must reset and get to neutral within three shots.

Volleys, blocks, and hand speed

Fast hands save points, so hand work belongs in pickleball drills for intermediate players. You want firm blocks, compact swings, and eyes still on contact.

Hand-speed builder:

Wall volleys: Stand 8–10 feet from a wall. Volley 50 forehands and 50 backhands without backswing. Keep the paddle head up.
Box volley pattern: Partner feeds at four spots: forehand hip, forehand shoulder, backhand hip, backhand shoulder. Ten balls at each, then random.

Block and counter:

Soft block, then counter: Partner drives at you. You block into the kitchen. Next feed, you counterpunch to their feet. Alternate for three minutes.

Serves, returns, and 4th shot planning

Clean serves and deep returns set up points. That is why they sit high in pickleball drills for intermediate players.

Serve targets:

Four corners: Hit 10 serves to each corner. Track make rate. Add a slice or topspin. Keep a smooth toss and full follow-through.
Pressure run: Make 20 serves in a row. If you miss, restart at zero.

Return depth:

Deep return ladder: Aim past the opponent’s baseline hash marks. Ten deep returns each side. Step in on short serves and hit heavy.

3-shot planning:

Scripted points: Serve wide, return deep middle, then 4th shot to backhand. Play mini-games to five using that pattern. Repeat with a different pattern.

Offensive lobs and overheads without errors

Good lobs open space. Bad lobs give away the point. This section adds control lobs and safe smashes to your pickleball drills for intermediate players.

Smart lobs:

Crosscourt kitchen lob: Dink three, then lob on the fourth when you see the opponent lean in. Aim deep crosscourt. Make the same motion as a dink to hide it.

Overheads:

Drop-step catch: Partner lobs. You turn with a quick drop step, point with your off-hand, and hit to the back third. Do sets of 20.
Two-in-a-row rule: You must hit two controlled overheads before you can swing big. This builds shape and margin.

Communication and doubles strategy games

Team play is the fastest lever in pickleball drills for intermediate players. Small signals and clean roles save errors and create poaches.

Partner habits:

Paddle signals: Up means drive, down means drop. Practice 10 points with each plan.
Middle ball rules: Forehand in the middle takes it unless pre-called. Rehearse five calm middle exchanges to build trust.

Strategy games:

First to five at the kitchen: Rally starts only after both teams reach the kitchen. Teaches patience and court control.
Shadow switch: Serve, return, then switch stack positions while keeping the ball in play. Builds footwork and trust.

Solo and small-space drills

You can build touch even without a court. I lean on these when travel gets in the way of pickleball drills for intermediate players.

Home and wall work:

Wall dinks: Tape a “net” line on a wall at 36 inches. Dink 100 balls, aiming just above the line.
Reset toss: Toss a ball to yourself from mid-court distance. Catch it on the paddle face and drop it into a small box on the floor.

Shadow and rhythm:

Shadow split and swing: Split step, short backswing, contact out front. Ten reps forehand and backhand.
Jump rope: Two sets of one minute. It tunes rhythm and quick feet.

Weekly practice plan for intermediate players

Make your plan simple and steady. Consistency wins. This weekly layout helps you get the most from pickleball drills for intermediate players.

Three-day plan:

Day 1: Warm-up 10 minutes. Dinks 20 minutes. Drops 20 minutes. Serves 10 minutes. Play 20 minutes of games to 7.
Day 2: Footwork 10 minutes. Resets 20 minutes. Volleys and counters 20 minutes. Returns 10 minutes. Pattern play 20 minutes.
Day 3: Review weak links 20 minutes. Lobs and overheads 15 minutes. Competitive games 30 minutes. Cool-down and notes 10 minutes.

60-minute session template:

10 warm-up and footwork.
15 technical block on one skill.
15 live cooperative work.
20 scored games that reward the skill.

Common mistakes and quick fixes

I see the same errors across pickleball drills for intermediate players. Small tweaks fix most of them fast.

Frequent mistakes and fixes:

Floating dinks: Lower your contact and use a softer grip. Aim past the kitchen line by a foot.
Late drops: Start the swing earlier and lift with your legs. Watch the ball into the paddle.
Backing up from the kitchen: Anchor your toes to the line. Use a compact block, not a swing.
Wild serves: Slow your toss and swing through the target. Build a pre-serve routine.

Mental resets:

Breathe between points. Say one cue word like “soft” or “early.”
After errors, note the cause, then plan the next ball. Move your feet first.

Tracking progress and setting goals

Set simple targets so your pickleball drills for intermediate players turn into real wins. Track results, not just time on court.

Key metrics:

First-serve percentage: Aim for 90% or more.
Return depth: Land 70% past the baseline’s last two feet.
Third shot drop: 7 of 10 in the kitchen under light pressure.
Dink errors: Fewer than two per game.
Rally length: Average rally to at least five shots in drilling.

Tools and review:

Use a phone tripod for short clips. Check paddle height and spacing.
Log weekly goals and outcomes. Adjust one variable at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions of pickleball drills for intermediate players

How often should I practice pickleball drills for intermediate players?

Aim for three sessions a week. Keep at least one day for lighter work or recovery.

What is the best drill to reduce pop-ups?

Work on soft block resets from mid-court. Focus on a loose grip and a stable base.

How do I know if my third shot drop is good?

It clears the net by a safe margin and lands in the kitchen without being attackable. Track 7 out of 10 under live feeds.

Can I improve fast with solo practice?

Yes, if you use a wall and target lines. Keep sessions short and focused, then test in live play.

What footwork cue helps the most at the kitchen?

Split step as your opponent hits. It keeps you balanced and ready to move in any direction.

Should I drive or drop more as an intermediate?

Mix both and read your feed. Drive attackable balls and drop low or heavy spin feeds.

How do I build better hand speed?

Do wall volleys and quick-feed drills at close range. Keep swings compact and the paddle up.

Conclusion

Build your game on smart choices, clean footwork, and repeatable touch. Stack small wins with short, focused sessions, and you will feel calmer at the kitchen and stronger in pressure points. Start with one drill from this guide today, log your results, and level up week by week. Ready for more? Subscribe for new practice plans, ask a question in the comments, or share your favorite drill from today’s hit.