Pickleball improvement does not always require a complicated training plan. A few well-chosen drills can provide meaningful repetitions while targeting different parts of the game.

These five drills, associated with PPA Tour professional Ashley Griffith, focus on soft-touch shots, transition movement, quick kitchen-line exchanges, court coverage, and competitive situations. Together, they give players a clear and practical starting point for purposeful practic

1. The 100-Ball Soft Rally

The soft rally is one of pickleball’s key controlled techniques, and the 100-ball drill puts consistency first. The objective is straightforward: work with a partner to complete 100 consecutive soft shots without an error. The rally can be played straight ahead or crosscourt. Rather than trying to hit an impressive shot, focus on keeping the ball controlled and low enough to make an immediate attack difficult.

Consistency is the main challenge. Players must manage pace, height, placement, and touch while remaining patient. The drill can also reveal technical problems. If the ball repeatedly rises too high or lands too deep, those patterns become easier to notice when the same shot is repeated many times. For newer players, starting with a smaller target such as 20 or 30 consecutive soft shots can make the drill more manageable before gradually increasing the goal.

2. The Slinky Drill

Moving from the baseline toward the kitchen line can be difficult because players must hit controlled shots while changing position. The Slinky drill focuses specifically on that transition. One player begins near the baseline while the other starts at the kitchen line. The baseline player gradually moves forward, using drops and resets to advance safely. After reaching the kitchen line, the players reverse the movement and repeat the sequence.

This drill is valuable because every shot is connected to movement. Players are not simply practicing a drop from one fixed position. They are learning to adjust their shot selection as their court position changes. The key is to avoid rushing forward. A controlled shot that allows a player to move safely is often more useful than a rushed attempt that leaves an easy ball for the opponent.

3. Soft Hands Speed-Up Drill

A quiet soft-shot rally can suddenly become a rapid exchange when one player gets an opportunity to attack. The soft hands speed-up drill recreates that change in pace. Two players begin with controlled, neutral shots. One intentionally leaves a slightly higher ball, creating an opportunity for the other player to speed it up. The exchange then becomes a fast hands battle near the kitchen line.

This drill develops reactions and helps players become more comfortable when the pace increases. It also teaches an important decision: recognizing when a ball is attackable instead of trying to accelerate every soft shot. Adding a simple scoring system makes the exercise more competitive and gives players an extra reason to stay focused through each exchange.

4. Figure Eight Drill

The figure eight drill combines movement with repeated crosscourt and down-the-line shots. One player directs the ball down the line while the other responds crosscourt, creating a continuous movement pattern. Because players have to cover different areas of the court, the exercise challenges footwork and positioning while demanding controlled shots. It can also provide useful conditioning without separating physical training from pickleball practice.

For players working on singles, the drill is particularly useful because court coverage becomes a major part of every rally. Maintaining shot quality while moving is just as important as producing a good shot from a stationary position.

5. The 7-Eleven Drill

The 7-Eleven drill adds a competitive element by giving each player a different scoring target. One player begins at the kitchen line and aims for 11 points, while the other starts at the baseline and aims for 7. The point begins with a feed, after which the players compete normally. The player at the baseline has to use drops and resets to work forward, while the player near the kitchen line must manage attacks and look for opportunities to finish points.

The uneven scoring targets create an interesting challenge because neither player can simply follow the same strategy. Each position has its own objective, making the drill useful for practicing decision-making under pressure.

Effective pickleball practice is often about purposeful repetition rather than simply hitting more balls. These five drills cover several distinct skills, from maintaining a long soft-shot rally to handling fast exchanges and moving through different court positions.

Players can adjust the number of repetitions, scoring targets, and difficulty to match their experience. Over time, combining controlled practice with competitive situations can make training sessions more focused and help build a more dependable all-around game.