Drilling in pickleball can sometimes feel like a chore. We all know we should do it, but when the game is so fun, who wants to stand around doing serve returns on repeat?
Enter: Skinny Singles—a fast-paced, high-rep, deceptively versatile drill disguised as a game. Whether you’re trying to elevate your dinks, dial in your third shot drops, or actually understand when to go cross-court versus down the line, this drill is your secret weapon.
And no, we’re not talking about just slicing the court in half and hitting casually back and forth. We’re talking about playing skinny singles the right way—like the pros do. With intent. With constraints. And with a laser focus on improving the shots that matter most in doubles.
What is Skinny Singles, Really?
At its core, skinny singles is a one-on-one game where each player covers only half of the court—either cross-court or straight down the line. This narrower setup forces precision, consistency, and thoughtful shot selection, all while mimicking the shot patterns of real doubles play.
The twist? How you rotate, serve, and return is all based on score, and it changes how you hit and where you hit. You’re not just playing to win; you’re training your brain and body to make smarter decisions.
Check out how it works:
Why It’s So Effective: The Technical Breakdown
1. Serve & Return Repetition
In skinny singles, every point is an opportunity to serve and return—two of the most crucial shots in pickleball. Because it’s just you on the court, you hit every ball. That means double the reps in half the time.
With scoring dictated by whether the server’s score is even or odd, you’re forced to switch sides, varying your angles and keeping you from getting too comfortable. If you serve with intent—adding spin, pace, or loft—you’re effectively building muscle memory and mental sharpness.
Want to level it up? Add constraints. Play a game where you’re the only server, and your opponent only returns. Now you’re grooving dozens of returns or serves in a single session.
2. Third Shot Mastery
Whether you prefer to drop or drive, skinny singles makes it easy to isolate your third shot game. With the court narrowed, every third shot demands finesse. Try hitting a soft drop into the NVZ when you’ve only got half the space—and your opponent is hungry for a passing shot.
By applying game-like pressure, you learn to read your opponent and make smarter shot selections, adjusting between drives and drops depending on ball height, pace, and position.
3. Hands Battles & Reaction Speed
Because the space is smaller and rallies are tighter, skinny singles creates lots of quick-exchange scenarios—the kind you’d face at the net in doubles. Practicing dinks, resets, and hand battles in this half-court format is one of the best ways to train fast-twitch reflexes.
The limited court also helps simulate NVZ skirmishes—those chaotic, fast-paced battles at the net that win or lose games.
Even pros like Ben Johns and Jack Munro? Yep, they train with skinny singles too Johns and Jack Munro got down to skinny singles:
4. Shot Placement & Mental Sharpness
Playing skinny singles isn’t just about hitting the ball—it’s about hitting it where it matters. You’ll quickly see that poor shot placement leads to easy putaways for your opponent. That mental feedback loop forces smarter decisions, tighter angles, and strategic patience.
And because you’re switching sides based on score—odd number, serve from the left; even number, from the right—you’re reinforcing spatial awareness in real time. Your brain starts to map optimal court positions instinctively.
5. Cross-Court & Down-the-Line Versatility
One of the most overlooked aspects of skinny singles is how it trains both cross-court and straight shots. With scoring rules based on each player’s score, you’ll alternate between both shot patterns—unlike regular doubles, which can become too cross-court heavy.
That variation is gold. Practicing both angles trains balance, footwork, and your ability to hit with intent no matter where you’re standing.
6. High Volume, Low Stress
Let’s face it: playing full-court singles is a workout. Skinny singles offers most of the benefits without torching your legs. The court’s narrower, the movement is tighter, and yet the intensity remains.
That makes it perfect for players looking to sharpen skills without exhausting themselves—whether it’s a warm-up before a tournament or a focused practice session after work.
Add Constraints for Maximum Growth
One key tip from pro players: add intentional constraints. Want to improve a specific shot? Build it into the game.
- Only hit third shot drops
- Only hit backhand returns
- Serve every time with topspin
- Play a full game cross-court, then switch to straight-down-the-line
Constraints accelerate learning. They force repetition with purpose. And most importantly, they prevent mindless drilling—which leads to slow, inconsistent progress.
The Bottom Line: Skinny Singles Is Pure Gold
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or pickleball-obsessed, skinny singles is one of the most effective drills you can add to your game. It combines repetition, realism, and a touch of cardio into a fun, fast-paced format. And if you play it the right way—like the pros do—it becomes less about winning and more about sharpening.
So grab a partner, pick your focus, and embrace the skinny side of the court.
Your future doubles self will thank you.
