So, you want to practice pickleball, but there’s a small problem—there’s no one around. No partner. No opponent. Just you, your paddle, and an empty court.
Good news: solo practice isn’t just a backup plan. It’s actually one of the fastest ways to improve your game. You don’t have to deal with waiting for a court, unforced errors from partners, or getting into endless dinking wars when you really need to work on your serve. This is your time to drill what actually makes a difference.
But let’s be honest—standing around hitting the same shot over and over like a robot gets old fast. So, let’s talk about fun, effective, and slightly unconventional ways to practice alone that actually translate to better play.
1. The Serve Factory: Become a Nightmare to Returners
If there’s one thing you should never waste solo practice time on, it’s the third shot drop. You need live play for that. But serves? Those are prime for solo work.
Why it matters: A great serve sets the tone for the entire point. If your serve is predictable or weak, you’re handing the ball to your opponent on a silver platter.
Drill: The Serve Gauntlet
- Grab 10-20 balls (seriously, don’t just use one—it’ll kill your rhythm).
- Set up a target zone in the back third of the service box.
- Mix it up:
- Power serve: Deep, flat, and fast.
- Topspin serve: Kick it up so opponents struggle with returns.
- Slice serve: Make the ball skid low and stay nasty.
- Bonus challenge: Try to hit the same target five times in a row before switching serves.
Game Changer: Keep your serves deep—the farther back you push your opponent, the weaker their return will be.
2. The Wall Rally: Your New Best Training Partner
Walls don’t miss. Walls don’t make excuses. Walls will give you instant feedback on your shots.
Drill: The Relentless Wall Challenge
Find a smooth, flat wall and mark a line 34 inches high (net height). Now, try these:
- Speed Dinking: Stand close and volley dinks back and forth as fast as possible.
- Goal: Keep it going for 50 hits.
- Power Drives: Step back and rip drives at the wall, focusing on consistency.
- Goal: 10 in a row, no mishits.
- Reaction Training: Stand 10 feet away, smash the ball, then try to react to your own return.
- This trains reflexes for those fast exchanges at the net.
Why it works:
- You get way more reps in less time.
- You’re training accuracy, footwork, and reaction speed all at once.
Watch our friend and coach, Will East, break down some awesome and super useful wall drills:
3. Disguised Lobs: The Secret Weapon No One Sees Coming
Most people use lobs defensively. But a well-placed offensive lob from the kitchen is deadly—especially if it looks like a dink at the last second.
Drill: The Sneaky Lob Setup
- Stand at the kitchen line and dink normally.
- Every fourth or fifth dink, disguise a lob with topspin—use the same motion, but flick your wrist up at the last moment.
- Alternate between short dinks and surprise lobs—so an opponent would never know when you’re going to launch it.
Why it works: Most players only practice obvious, defensive lobs. This builds a skill no one sees coming.
4. Shadow Swinging: Look Crazy, Play Better
Ever see a pro golfer take practice swings before a shot? There’s a reason. Muscle memory is everything.
Drill: Shadow Swing Accuracy
- Stand on the baseline and go through your serve motion without hitting a ball—just focus on form.
- Move up to the kitchen line and shadow swing dinks and volleys.
- Close your eyes and try to feel the perfect movement (sounds weird, but trust me).
Why it works: It locks in perfect form so you don’t get sloppy when it counts.
5. The Agility Gauntlet: Get Faster Without Running in Circles
Most people “work on footwork” by randomly sprinting around. Instead, train real in-game movement.
Drill: The Pickleball Shuffle
- Set up cones or markers at:
- Baseline
- Transition zone (mid-court)
- Kitchen line
- Start at the baseline and move forward in game-like steps:
- Split-step at the kitchen.
- Shuffle back to the mid-court (like resetting a rally).
- Move side to side along the NVZ.
- Shuffle back again.
- Repeat 10 times.
Why it works: It mimics actual footwork in a game instead of just sprinting randomly.
6. The 10,000 Touch Challenge: Become a Paddle Wizard
Want better touch? The best players control the ball effortlessly—which means mastering small touches.
Drill: Paddle Juggling
- Bounce the ball on your paddle continuously.
- Try switching grips while keeping the ball bouncing.
- Add spin by angling your paddle slightly.
Why it works:
- Develops insane control (soft hands = fewer pop-ups).
- Trains grip adjustments without thinking.
Here are a few more fun paddle drills we tried—and absolutely loved:
The Real Key to Solo Practice
Solo practice is not about mindless reps—it’s about high-quality, game-specific training. The best way to make it stick?
1. Set a Challenge
- “I won’t leave the court until I land five deep topspin serves in a row.”
- “I’ll do 100 paddle juggles before I stop.”
- “I have to hit the wall 20 times in a row without breaking rhythm.”
2. Make It Competitive
- Time yourself—how many forehand volleys in 30 seconds?
- Track your progress—get 2% better every session.
3. Enjoy It!
Pickleball is meant to be fun. If your solo practice feels like a chore, you’re doing it wrong. Keep it engaging, keep it game-like, and watch how fast your skills improve.
Now, grab your paddle and go put in the work. When you finally get back into a real game, your opponents won’t know what hit them. 😉
