Main Points
- Drill 1: Tug of War (Dink Endurance & Pressure) – Builds consistency in long dink rallies while adding pressure with a reset scoring system.
- Drill 2: Fast Hands + Triangle Effect – Trains quick hand speed and anticipation of counterattacks using the triangle effect.
- Drill 3: Midcourt Attacks & Game IQ – Develops confidence in attacking from midcourt and recognizing offensive opportunities.
- Drill 4: Defense from Lobs & Overheads – Teaches how to defend lobs by driving the ball after retrieving overhead smashes.
- Drill 5: Pro-Favorite Crash Drill – Focuses on handling powerful drives after returning serve, a favorite among top pros.
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Summary
This video outlines five pickleball drills that can help players climb the ranks and work toward a 5.0 rating. Each drill is designed to target specific areas of the game that separate elite players from recreational ones, while also making training fun and competitive.
The first drill, Tug of War, is a dink endurance game that forces players to stay consistent during long rallies. The unique scoring system adds pressure, as points can reset if a player fails to close out. This teaches players how to remain focused under stress and handle extended kitchen battles.
The second drill, Fast Hands + Triangle Effect, focuses on developing lightning-quick reactions at the kitchen line. The key concept here is not only speeding up the ball but being prepared for the counterattack. By applying the triangle effect, players learn how to anticipate where the ball is coming back based on where they attacked, turning defense into offense with a one-two punch mentality.
Moving to Midcourt Attacks & Game IQ, players practice becoming a threat from all areas of the court. With paddles getting faster, learning to attack from midcourt is crucial. This drill emphasizes crashing the net after a drop and being ready to engage in fast exchanges, which keeps constant pressure on opponents.
The fourth drill, Defense from Lobs & Overheads, prepares players for one of the toughest defensive situations—retrieving a lob followed by an overhead smash. Instead of resetting, the focus is on driving the next ball to regain control, just like top professionals do. This helps players turn a defensive position into a chance to reestablish an offensive setup.
Finally, the Crash Drill, a favorite of world-class players, sharpens the ability to handle powerful drives after a serve return. It mimics real match play, training players to neutralize aggressive drives while rushing to the kitchen. This drill alone provides massive improvement in handling high-pressure scenarios and is a staple among elite-level training.
Together, these five drills cover endurance, speed, anticipation, attack strategy, defense, and transition play. Players who consistently practice them will not only raise their skill level but also build the confidence and game IQ needed to compete at the 5.0 level.
Source: Tanner Pickleball | YouTube
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Tags: Defense | Dink | Drill | Drive | Strategy | tanner.pickleball