Reward legal depth, purposeful targets, and balanced court movement instead of raw pace.
Equipment
- Pickleball paddles
- Pickleballs
- Pickleball court
- 2 cones or a temporary depth line
Setup
One player serves and one returns. Mark a deep target zone on each side. Play only the serve and return; no third ball is needed.
How to run it
1. The server states a safe target and serves. Award one server point for a legal serve beyond the depth line.
2. The returner sends the ball deep, then advances under control. Award one returner point if the return lands beyond the line and the player reaches a balanced split step.
3. No point is awarded for pace without the intended depth or balance.
4. Switch roles after five serves.
5. Progress by changing one variable—middle, body, or wide target—while preserving consistency.
Coach Dave’s cues
Server: smooth motion, useful depth, recover behind the baseline. Returner: start with room, contact in front, return deep, move immediately, and split before the next imagined contact.
Watch for
A rushed oversized swing, watching the return instead of advancing, crossing into the court before the serve bounces, or treating a line target as more important than control.