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Intermediate
Core Techniques & Drills
The 5 fundamental skills every player should develop first — with simple drills you can practice on any court.
01
The Dink
A soft, controlled shot that arcs over the net and lands in the kitchen. The most important shot in pickleball — it forces your opponent into a defensive position rather than letting them attack.
DRILL: 10 min daily, cross-court dinking
02
The Third Shot Drop
A soft drop into the kitchen on your team’s second shot, buying time to advance from the baseline to the kitchen line. The hardest beginner skill, but the most transformative.
DRILL: 15 min every session
03
Groundstrokes
Baseline forehand and backhand drives. Keep them consistent — deep, down the middle, or at the opponent’s feet, rather than trying to hit winners from the baseline.
04
Volleys
Hitting the ball from the air at the kitchen line. Keep the paddle face open and use a short, punchy motion — no big swings. Remember: you can’t volley from inside the kitchen.
05
The Lob
A high, arcing shot over opponents at the kitchen line, forcing them to retreat. Use sparingly — advanced players will punish a slow lob with an overhead smash.
5 Mistakes That Cost Beginners the Most Points
1
Hitting down the line when you should go cross-court.
Cross-court is safer — longer diagonal distance and lower risk of hitting the net post.
2
Staying at the baseline after serving.
Move to the kitchen line as soon as possible — that’s where points are won.
3
Trying to smash everything.
Patience beats power at beginner level — the player who makes fewer errors usually wins.
4
Letting the ball drop too low before hitting.
Hit at a comfortable height — letting it get ankle-level forces upward shots that sail long.
5
Big backswings on volleys.
Keep the motion compact — the ball is coming fast at the kitchen line, and a big swing sends it long or into the net.