Do you get passed when you are at the non-volley zone? Do you want to learn to cut off the corner and make contact with the ball in front of you? Then you want to utilize this pickleball drill.
pickleball drill
This pickleball drill will help you learn to take the ball in front of you…before it hits the corner or at your heels. Begin by placing a cone or other obstacle (e.g. a hand towel) in the non-volley zone as shown above. With your drill partner, you will hit cross-court dinks. Focus on taking the ball in front of the cone.
You might want to make a game of it. Play a dink game earning one point if you force your partner to hit it into the net or out of bounds. If you are able to hit the target (the cone in the photo above) you earn 3 points. Play to 15 points from either side of the court.
Focus on
When you are drilling to improve your pickleball play at the non-volley zone line focus on: keeping your paddle up, taking the ball earlier (before it bounces when possible), and tracking the ball with your paddle. And when you are playing at the non-volley zone remember it is not necessary to scurry from side to side. If you are constantly shuffling, you won’t have the balance and stability you need to make an accurate shot.
Drilling aids
Cones like those pictured are useful when drilling. Many options are available an Amazon or other outlets. These can be used
as “barriers” or targets. I like these because when you step on them they collapse … you don’t want to use something you might trip over. Also, they easily fit in my bag and are light weight.
So if you are like me and spend time each week drilling, add a little variation to your sessions. Try this pickleball drill and let me know how it works out.
