Pickleball Footwork Drills: 3 Ways to Stop Rushing and Get to the Ball Faster

Main Points

• The ball often feels too fast because players are late with their feet, forcing them to reach for shots instead of getting into position.
• Move before making contact with the ball. That extra moment allows you to read the court, find open space, and make a more controlled shot.
• Players coming from tennis can develop “happy feet” in pickleball. Constantly moving the feet can make it harder to stay stable when hitting.
• Anticipation is more important than simply moving faster. The ability to read where the ball is going helps you arrive at the right place at the right time.
• Drill 1: Move before contact — toss a ball, move toward it, and then hit it. The goal is to develop the habit of moving first rather than reaching.
• Drill 2: Track the second bounce — instead of focusing only on where the ball initially bounces, anticipate where it will go next. This helps improve positioning and reduce rushed shots.
• Weight transfer still matters when moving laterally. Getting onto the appropriate leg can help you remain balanced while hitting on the move.
• Drill 3: Create space after the drive — after driving the ball, avoid charging too far forward. Maintain enough space to handle the opponent’s next shot.
• Running aggressively toward the kitchen after a drive can leave you vulnerable to a ball at your feet.
• Staying back initially gives you more time to react, control the next ball, and then move forward when the opportunity is right.
• Effective pickleball footwork isn’t necessarily about complicated steps or moving as quickly as possible. It’s about understanding the shot, anticipating the next ball, and being prepared for it.

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Summary

This video explains why the pickleball court can sometimes feel incredibly fast, even when the ball itself isn’t moving particularly quickly. The primary issue is often footwork. When players are late getting into position, they are forced to reach for the ball, which makes it harder to control their paddle face and produce a quality shot. The goal is to move earlier so you are already in position when the ball arrives.

The first footwork drill focuses on moving before contact. Rather than waiting for the ball to arrive and then moving to it, players should begin moving as they anticipate where the ball is going. A simple way to practice this is to toss a ball, move into position, and then hit it. That small amount of extra time can allow you to read your opponent, recognize open court, and choose a better target instead of simply trying to reach the ball.

The video also addresses a common issue among tennis players transitioning to pickleball: “happy feet.” Although quick foot movement is valuable in tennis, pickleball’s smaller court requires a greater emphasis on stability. Excessive movement can leave a player unstable when they make contact, increasing the chances of popping the ball up or hitting it out. Efficient pickleball movement is less about constantly moving your feet and more about anticipating where you need to be.

The second drill involves tracking the second bounce. Instead of watching only the ball’s initial bounce, players should anticipate where the ball will continue traveling. This helps them move to the correct location without stopping too early or reaching for a ball that is still moving. The drill reinforces the importance of anticipation, lateral movement, and maintaining balance while preparing for contact.

The third drill focuses on what happens after hitting a drive. A common mistake is charging forward too aggressively and stepping too far into the court. When the opponent blocks the drive back toward the player’s feet, there may not be enough space to handle the ball effectively. Instead, the video recommends creating space after the drive, staying controlled, and using the momentum from the next shot to move forward when appropriate.

Ultimately, effective pickleball footwork isn’t about performing complicated movements or simply trying to move faster. The key is anticipating the next shot and preparing for it before it arrives. When players understand where the ball is likely to go and position themselves accordingly, they spend less time rushing and more time hitting from a stable, controlled position.

Source: Cliff Pickleball | YouTube

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Tags: Cliff Pickleball | Drill | Footwork | pickleball drills | pickleball footwork