To practice hitting consistent and powerful forehand drives from the baseline, utilizing a ball machine to provide a high volume of repeatable feeds.
Equipment
- Pickleball paddle
- Pickleballs
- Pickleball court
- Ball machine (e.g., Lobster or similar)
How to run it
Set up the ball machine at the middle of the baseline on one side of the court, configured to feed balls towards the middle of the court on the player's side. Begin with a feed interval of approximately 4 seconds between balls, and adjust this timing as needed (e.g., a faster interval like 2 seconds can be used for a cardiovascular workout). The player should focus on maintaining proper footwork, sound technique, and ensuring the contact point with the ball is consistently out in front of the body. For added challenge and to improve placement, alternate hitting shots towards the even (right) and odd (left) sides of the opponent's court.
Coach Dave’s cues
Always practice with a specific target in mind for each shot. Consider setting up physical targets, such as cones or markers, on the other side of the court to aim for. Crucially, ensure there are no loose balls rolling on your side of the court during the drill to prevent slips or injuries.
Watch for
Failing to adjust to the consistent and often less varied feed from a machine compared to a human partner, especially initially. Neglecting proper footwork due to the predictability of the feed. Focusing excessively on power while sacrificing placement accuracy or sound technique.