I’ve been going down the rabbit hole lately trying to find the best drills for improving pickleball skills, especially for beginners.

When you first start pickleball, everything feels like a blur. You’re trying to learn how to keep score, remember all the unusual rules, decide whether the ball was in or out, and return shots from players who hit way harder than you expected.

Once some of the basics start to click, you naturally begin thinking about improving your skills. 

In my opinion, control is the foundation of better pickleball. It applies to every part of the game, starting with your serve.

As a beginner, it can be hard to know where to start. 

Here is a simple drill you can do alone or with a partner to practice a deep, consistent serve.

You’ll need:

• A paddle
• 8-10 balls
• An optional target (cone, water bottle, etc.)

Place your target near the baseline at the back of the court. From the opposite side, serve each ball while aiming for the target. Track how many you hit. 

Then switch sides and repeat.

Less time in the kitchen, more time serving deep.