Creating a pre-game pickleball warm up routine is key to securing an edge in pickleball. Although it might be tough to carve out time for this routine before a match, it’s vital. Playing regularly with the same partner can be beneficial, as it ensures you’re both in sync and can navigate your routine swiftly.
Make it a priority to establish a routine and accomplish as much as you can before the games begin; this primes your muscle memory and readies you mentally and physically for the game. When partnering with different players in open play, concentrate on maximizing your practice reps as much as you can before the game starts.
Here is a list of recommended shots to warm up with in the order of their significance. Try to do 15 or 20 of each of these shots before you start playing.
- Dinking
- Drop shots
- Drives and blocking at the net
- Quick hands
- Lobs
- Serves & returns
Pickleball Dinking Warm Up
Start your warmup routine with dinking. This is the easiest shot and gets you moving.
Get across from each other and dink back and forth for a couple of minutes.
Practicing cross-court forehand and backhand dinks for a few minutes is ideal, but it’s not always feasible when other players are warming up on the opposite side of the court. Get down low and focus on soft hands and dinking the ball just over the net. Adjust your shots and aim at different spots in front of your partner.
As you warm up, don’t just rely on your arms—engage your whole body. Step purposefully to position yourself and incorporate both volley dinks and off-the-bounce dinks. Treat the warm-up as a mini practice session for the game ahead, not just a routine.
If you find yourself with some spare time and an available court, consider playing a singles dinking game with a partner or a doubles game with four players, two per team. Set a goal for 5 or 10 points, utilizing half the court for singles or the entire court for doubles. Take turns sending dinks across, scoring a point whenever your opponent hits the ball out of bounds, out of the kitchen or into the net. After a missed shot, award the point and resume play from the person who retrieves the ball. Aim your dinks at difficult spots on the court to challenge your opponents’ returns. This approach adds a competitive element to your practice and sharpens your focus on enhancing your dinking skills.
Pickleball Drop Shot Warm Up
Next, practice your drop shots
One of you back up a few feet and start hitting drop shots to your partner. Your partner should be at the kitchen line and should simply return them easily to you so you can hit another and another. Focus on your technique, watch the ball bounce and as it is dropping make a smooth swing with your shoulder and lift the ball just over the net.
After hitting 5 or 10, back up a few feet and repeat hitting them from a longer distance.
As you practice, engage your whole body and treat each shot with game-like focus. Position yourself properly, track the ball closely, and aim for different spots in front of your partner to keep the drill dynamic. Use forehand and backhand drop shots as you work through the routine.
Next, switch and have your partner start hitting the drop shots using the same routine.
On defense, your partner should practice drop shot returns. Stay at the kitchen line and volley the drop shots with purpose. Resist the urge to back up—focus on keeping the ball in play while challenging your partner. Pay attention to your placement and stroke mechanics to prepare for game situations. Hit a mix of shots to your partner’s forehand and backhand. This gives you practice hitting spots and your partner practice hitting forehand and backhand drop shots.
Pickleball Drives and Blocking Warm Up
Next, practice your drives, blocking and punch volleys.
One player should move near the baseline and hit drives toward their partner at the kitchen line. Focus on proper drive mechanics and aim for challenging spots to test your partner’s defense. This drill prepares both players for game scenarios.
Next, switch and have your partner start driving shots and you volley them back using the same routine.
On defense, volley the drives back consistently to allow your partner to keep practicing. Move as needed to position your paddle correctly, and use controlled force to develop precision and feel. Treat this as preparation for real-game situations.
Pickleball Quick Hands Warm Up
The quick hands routine is perfect for improving hand-eye coordination at the net.
Both players should stand at the kitchen line and hit the ball back and forth quickly, focusing primarily on volley shots. Restart as needed and continue for a minute or two, aiming to keep the rally going as long as possible.
This drill sharpens your reflexes and prepares you for fast-paced “firefights” at the net during a game.
Pickleball Lob Shot Warm Up
Next, work on lob shots and defending against lobs.
One of you back up to near the baseline and start hitting Lobs at your partner who is at the net. Your partner hits overheads back to you so you can hit another and another.
Hit controlled swing smash shots back so your partner can hit another lob to you, remember, you are just warming up!
Next, switch and have your partner start lobbing shots and you hit overhead returns using the same routine.
Pickleball Serves and Returns Warm Up
Lastly, hit some serves and returns.
Both of you back up to the base line. Your partner hits serves, and you return them back. The server catches the return shot and hits another serve.
Focus on smooth, deep serves. On the return focus on moving through the ball with a smooth shot hot with some loft and deep.
After hitting 5 serves or so switch and have your partner serve to you and you return the serve.
Summary
Ideally, you should complete this routine before starting to play. If that’s not possible, do as much as you can.
When you’re accustomed to warming up with the same partner, it becomes easier because you’re both familiar with the routine. If you’re warming up with someone new, simply try your best and suggest the activities you’d like to do.
The warm-up process is crucial for reactivating your muscle memory before beginning to play.
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