There’s a reason top pickleball players make their warmups look so smooth—it’s not luck, and it’s definitely not just arm swings and jogging. When we looked at pro players like Zane Navratil and Tyler Loong what they really do before matches, the answers went deeper than your average dink-and-chat.
This isn’t just fluff. These smart, under-the-radar warmup techniques are designed to sharpen your game fast—especially when time is tight.
Here’s how the pros prep to play their best.
Why Warmups Matter More Than You Think
Let’s start with the truth: showing up cold and “playing yourself into it” is a great way to lose the first few points—or worse, hurt yourself.
A quality warmup:
- Builds rhythm and touch
- Prepares your muscles and joints for quick movement
- Mentally resets your focus
- Boosts confidence with early wins in routine shots
And here’s the kicker: most pros only need 3–5 minutes to hit every shot they’ll use in a game. But every second is purposeful.
The Real Pro Warmup (And What Makes It Work)
Let’s break down what the best do—and why.
1. Dink With a Purpose
✔️ What they do: Start with boring, dead-center dinks to build rhythm—then begin moving each other around after a few reps.
✔️ Why it works: It grooves touch and builds confidence without risk.
❌ Don’t: Camp out by the sideline or aimlessly dink back and forth. Always recover toward the middle to mimic game footwork.
2. Crosscourt Dink Exchanges
✔️ What they do: Hit crosscourt dinks with controlled movement and recovery footwork after each shot.
✔️ Why it works: It mirrors real match angles and positions while loosening both forehand and backhand touch.
❌ Don’t: Get lazy with footwork—simulate the pace and positioning of a real match.
3. Transition Zone Play
✔️ What they do: One player stays at the kitchen while the other works baseline to NVZ and back, practicing resets and transition drops.
✔️ Why it works: According to data from PickleMart Analytics, transition shots are the second-most common in pickleball—yet they’re the most undertrained.
❌ Don’t: Rush through this. Simulate realistic resets and counterattacks with focus.
Check it out:
4. Third Shot Combos: Drive or Drop
✔️ What they do: Warm up both third shot drops and drives based on incoming ball quality.
✔️ Why it works: This teaches decision-making and prepares you for unpredictable points.
❌ Don’t: Predetermine every shot—read the ball and choose accordingly, just like you will in a real match.
5. Fast Hands “Slinky Drill”
✔️ What they do: Soft volley exchanges at the kitchen line, ramping up 5% speed per shot.
✔️ Why it works: Trains reflexes, resets timing, and builds fast hands without wild swings.
❌ Don’t: Go full throttle right away. The point is rhythm, not chaos.
6. Serve–Return–Third Shot Drill
✔️ What they do: Diagonal drills—serve, return, and third shot practice in a live-feel sequence.
✔️ Why it works: Mimics real points with real spin and pace—far better than dropping balls from the net.
❌ Don’t: Skip this step if time allows. It locks in your serve and return rhythm and gets the third shot dialed in.
How to Make It Work for You
You don’t need a full 20-minute warmup (unless you’re prepping for a tournament). Here’s how to adapt it to your day:
| Warmup Time | What to Focus On |
|---|---|
| 3–5 minutes | Rhythm dinks, transition resets, and quick volleys |
| 10–15 minutes | Full warmup including serve-return-third shot, drive/drop decision-making |
| Tournament prep | Everything, with time on both diagonals and added pace under pressure |
Win the Warmup, Win the Match
Warmups aren’t just about feeling good—they’re mini-practice sessions that fast-track confidence, rhythm, and shot quality.
✅ You’ll miss fewer early points.
✅ You’ll prevent injuries.
✅ You’ll start matches sharp, not shaky.
Next time you hit the court, skip the lazy dinks and weekend small talk—and give one of these under-the-radar pro warmups a try. You’ll feel the difference from the first serve.
