Control forehand and backhand direction while recovering to ready position after every shot.
Equipment
- Pickleball paddles
- Pickleballs
- Pickleball court
- 2 target cones
Setup
Partners rally cross-net from midcourt or the baseline. Place a generous target through the middle, then a second target toward one half of the court.
How to run it
1. Rally cooperatively through the middle for 10 consecutive shots.
2. Designate forehand or backhand contacts and aim at the corresponding half-court target.
3. After each hit, recover toward the center marker before the partner contacts the ball.
4. Switch the target every five successful contacts.
5. Finish with a cooperative sequence of middle, crosscourt, middle, down the line.
Coach Dave’s cues
Prepare early. Create space with the feet. Contact in front with a compact swing. Use enough net clearance to keep the rally alive. Recover instead of admiring the shot.
Watch for
Forcing a preferred stroke, rushing while moving, aiming too close to a line, or letting the rally become a power contest. Pause when balls from another group enter the area.