It happens to everyone.

You’re all set to play pickleball, but something comes up! Maybe your partner is sick or has to take her kids to soccer practice. Maybe your usual crew is busy. Whatever the case may be, every pickleball player eventually runs into the dreaded player drought. However, that doesn’t mean you have to lose out on your pickleball practice!

There are many ways to practice pickleball alone.

Join Pickle Goddesses as we run through some of the best ways to practice pickleball by yourself — from drills and exercises to strategic studying!

Brush Up Your Skills With Some Pickleball Drills

Like any sport, pickleball has its fair share of handy solo exercises.

A simple search will find thousands of videos and tutorials demonstrating different pickleball drills. However, many players find this overwhelming. To help you out, we’ve narrowed it down and picked the top five pickleball drills for any skill level.

So, keep scrolling to learn more!

1. Add Shadow Swings to Your Solo Pickleball Drills

The name of this drill comes from pickleball’s close cousin, tennis!

Shadow swings are some of the most basic and accessible pickleball drills, requiring little more than enough space to move your arms and your preferred pickleball paddle. Once you’ve met these requirements, follow these three steps:

1. Stand in the ready position, ensuring your feet are appropriately spaced. Don’t forget to loosen your muscles and relax a little!
2. Swing your arm, and imagine you’re hitting the ball.
3. Repeat!

Yes, unlike other drills, the shadow swing is a simple three-step process. It’s highly adaptable and can be performed anywhere — from your bedroom to your office!

You may see sites recommending that you practice in front of a mirror. This is a helpful way to monitor your movements and train away bad habits, but it’s not strictly necessary. You can practice pickleball swings without a mirror; just pay close attention to your body. For the best results, focus on the following aspects of your movements:

• Elbow Placement: You usually want your elbow facing up as you hit. However, there are exceptions to every rule! Double-check to ensure your arm placement is perfect for each hit.
• Footwork: Practicing footwork requires a bit more space. However, if you can afford a few extra feet (pun intended), this exercise is a great way to practice and refine your stance.
• Grip: Don’t strangle your paddle to death! Loosen that grip and try a variety of swings. Some motions — like a hard-hitting drop serve — require a death grip. However, many returns can be made with a light, gentle touch.
• Muscle Engagement: Work every possible muscle. Practice hitting with your shoulders, torso, and arms.

2. Practice Hitting With the Drop Drill

Another simple pickleball drill is the drop and hit. Its scaled-up variant, the static drop feed, follows the same process.

You’ll need ample space, a pickleball ball, a paddle, and an appropriate bouncing surface to perform these drills. (And be sure to use the right pickleball ball for your practice session!) The best practice surfaces are flat and secure, like a pickleball court. Closed doors, concrete surfaces, and wooden fences are great options. You’ll also need a flat, hard floor — such as concrete, tile, or wood — for the ball to bounce.

Assuming those needs are met, follow these four steps to perform a drop and hit drill:

1. Stand in the ready position. Again, keep your feet apart and focus on your body’s balance.
2. Drop the ball and allow it to bounce. Some players find it easier to pretend they’re performing a drop serve during this drill.
3. Hit the ball! Try to hit the ball as it reaches its apex. You can also switch things up by hitting at its lowest point or adding spin to your shots. Consider moving as you gain confidence. Shift forward or backward — even side to side! — as you hit the ball.
4. Repeat! Some find this exercise easier to perform indoors, bouncing the ball off a nearby wall. Others opt to use many pickleballs and retrieve them after each “set.”

These exercises are mostly used to practice consistency, hand-eye coordination, and hitting. However, you can modify the routine to work on footwork, power, and spin. Other ways to amplify the effectiveness of your drop and hit drill include…

• Consistency: Need to improve your accuracy? Consider practicing outdoors or on an indoor court. Place a “target” (it can be as simple as some tape on the ground) and try hitting it as many times as you can!
• Power Work: Hit the ball with a light stroke. Continue this until it becomes second nature. Then, switch it up! Advanced players know when to hit hard, and you should, too! Work on those power shots!
• Speed: While it may not be an option for everyone, adding a ball machine can improve your practice. Ask around! Gyms, parks, and pickleball clubs near you may have a rentable ball machine. These contraptions serve balls to you, so practicing solo doesn’t have to be so one-sided.
• Wrist Placement: Don’t forget to practice your form! Poor technique is a common cause of strains and injuries. Use these drills to train out bad habits. Pay close attention to your posture, swinging motion, and wrist.

Note, too, that you can also use this setup to work on your volley serve. Just be aware of your surroundings; you’ll need more space to practice hitting that serve!

3. Refine Your Topspin Drive

A “topspin drive” is a unique hit that drops quickly after clearing the net. It’s not something you’ll see in many beginner guides, but this unique technique can turn the tide of any game.

The requirements for this drill are similar to a drop-and-hit routine. You’ll need a pickleball and paddle, plenty of space, a solid playing field, and a net. If you don’t have a pickleball net, you can use cardboard or posterboard to make your own barrier. Be sure to cut your “net” to meet official game requirements; it must be 34–36 inches (86.36–91.44 centimeters) tall.

Once you’ve met these requirements, you’re ready to go! The process is similar to the aforementioned drop-and-hit, but you’ll focus on your technique above all else. With that in mind, follow these steps:

1. Stand in the ready position. Pay close attention to foot placement and posture.
2. Drop the ball. Again, try to hit the ball as it reaches the peak of its bounce.
3. Hit the ball. Use a loose, light grip. A tight grip imparts excessive power, flinging the ball across the court.
4. Watch the ball. See where the ball lands. Remember, you want a rapid drop after it clears the net.
5. Repeat!

Unlike the other drills, topspin practice is highly technical. Don’t be discouraged if it takes a few tries! Many players benefit from tutoring or videos, and we’ve included a handy guide from High Five Pickleball below.

4. Shuffle Your Way to Your Next Match

Of course, we can’t forget about your footwork! Hitting is great, but nobody wants to trip in the middle of a heated match. That’s why footwork drills are so important. They train our bodies to move appropriately and help players avoid nasty falls.

Like shadow swings, most footwork drills require little more than a pickleball-like surface (such as hardwood, tile, or pavement) and some space to move around. Cones are entirely optional, but they work well as guides. However, since most of us don’t have free cones lying around, you can use anything of a similar size. Empty chip cans, soda cans, and plastic cups are free alternatives to the classic orange cone.

Once you’re happy with your setup, start those drills! Shuffle side to side across your space. Pay close attention to your foot placement and control your body’s movement. If you’re practicing alone, consider using a mirror to study your shuffle.

Tips and Tricks to Perfect Your Practice Sessions

These are far from the only pickleball drills. You’ll find plenty more scattered across YouTube!

We don’t have enough time to review every pickleball drill. So, instead, we want to dedicate some time to our top tips and tricks! These concepts can be used anywhere, and many form great mantras to use in your daily life.

1. Practice Makes Perfect

We all know the saying, but it’s true! Consistent practice is the fastest way to go from pickleball newcomer to skilled pickleball master. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most professional athletes train for 40 hours each week. Obviously, you don’t need to do that much training! But that number is a great reflection of what it takes to become a skilled pickleball player.

And we know that practicing alone isn’t fun! However, it’s the most important thing you can do as you begin your pickleball journey.

2. Know Your Limits

We must also point out that most pickleball players are not professional athletes!

Everyone has limits, and knowing those limits prevents painful injuries. Be aware of your body as you practice, and avoid motions that put unnecessary strain on your joints. Think of your body as an extension of your paddle. You must control yourself and the ball.

When practicing new techniques, take it slow! You may feel silly, but those slow, deliberate motions train your muscles. You can work on your speed later.

3. Keep Learning More

Finally, you must keep learning! Pickleball is an evolving sport, and new techniques are cropping up like weeds! That new play may be the key to your success. So, never stop learning! Stay updated on all the latest pickleball news by following us.

Check back often! We’re always refreshing Pickle Goddesses with new information, news, and updates. And don’t forget to share this post if it helped you gain an upper hand on the pickleball court.