Pre-Game Pickleball Warm-Up Drills

Warming up before you play sports is essential for avoiding injury and getting your body and mind ready for what’s about to happen. Pickleball is no exception. Even if it’s just for 5-10 minutes, you might be surprised by the difference warming up before a match can have in the match itself.

This article gives you a few pickleball warm-up drills you can adopt for your pre-game routine.

Warm-Up Drill #1 - Stretch

Yes, this should be a no-brainer, but we’re always shocked at how many pickleballers just jump directly on the court and start hitting the ball around. Take 1-2 minutes of stretching–your calves, back, and shoulders, at the very least. It’s impossible to tell how many injuries are prevented with a bit of stretching, but we’re willing to bet at least some of them could be.

Warm-Up Drill #2 - Dinking

Throughout most of a pickleball match, the majority of shots taken will be dink shots. So, the first warm-up we suggest is for you and your partner (or opponent, if they want to warm up with you) should line up on the non-volley zone (NVZ) line and dink the ball to one another. The goal is to get loose and practice putting the ball where you want it to go. This is a great time to work the corners and focus on hitting the ball with the proper touch before you go out and play for real. If you want to make it a bit competitive, play for points, but keep it to just 3-5 points because you typically won’t have much time to warm up, especially before a tournament.

Warm-Up Drill #3 - Work Your Way Back

This drill is designed to help you get a better feel and touch for your ball striking. You and your partner start at the NVZ line, but after you hit each ball, one of you should take one step back toward the baseline. Your goal is to hit the ball inside your opponent’s kitchen. Each strike will require a bit more power or technique and will help you fine-tune your shot before a match. Do this until you’re all the way back at the baseline, then switch roles.

Warm-Up Drill #4 - Third Shot Drops

Third shot drops are used throughout the match, usually to help you (and your partner) get into position at the NVZ line. For this drill, one of you should start at the baseline and the other at the NVZ line on the opposite side. Have your partner hit deep balls to you (and with some pace), and you (being on the baseline) should hit each ball as a third shot drop (this is a ball that barely crosses the net and lands inside the kitchen).

Your goal is to practice barely hitting the ball over the net, which you would want to do in a successful drop shot. Make sure to practice forehands and backhands. Do this 5-10 times, then change roles.

Once you’re both finished, go ahead and practice third shot drives with the same positioning. Your partner will now be practicing defending the drive shot.

Warm-Up Drill #5 - Work Your Way Up

Starting at the baseline, you want to do the opposite of what you did earlier, where you were working your way back. Now you want to work your way up to the NVZ line. Once there, you and your partner will simply play out the point. The goal of this drill is to practice your footwork and get to the kitchen line.

Warm-Up Drill #6 - Volley-Ball

Quick hands are the name of the game once all the players are at the kitchen line. Practice getting your hands moving by volleying the ball back and forth with your partner. Both of you should stand at the NVZ line and hit volleys with pace. The goal is not to be the one to stop the volley.

Warm-Up Drill #7 - Put it All Together

Once you’ve done those drills, and if you have some time left, simply put it all together and play a pretend match, using just half the court. This should work your feet, positioning, striking, and mental preparedness all at the same time. You can keep doing this drill until you feel ready or your warm-up time is over.

Conclusion

The best way to play pickleball is on the court, and the best way to stay on the court is to warm up properly. Putting these seven drills to work for you is a great way to start your own warm-up routine and an excellent way to win more pickleball matches.