No one wants to drill, everyone wants to improve...
This post is the first in a series of drills. It aligns with the RV Picklers' article shown yesterday, Pickleball 101, in that beginner clinics should start at the Non-Volley Zone line.
NVZ Line Drills
Ball Toss Drills for Volley
Playing at the NVZ is uncomfortable for many beginning players. In order to play well, comfort in positioning and moving within 6” of the line is essential. The first set of drills consists of tossing the ball in order to get players comfortable at the NVZ line.
Single Ball Toss
Description: Two players stand at opposing NVZ lines facing each other. Using only the paddle hand to throw and catch, toss a single ball back and forth so that it can be caught in the air behind the NVZ line. Players should move to catch the ball in front of their torso as much as possible.
Goal: This exercise trains the player to receive the ball in front of their body as well as move side-to-side along the NVZ.
Description: Two players stand at opposing NVZ lines facing each other. Using only the paddle hand to throw and catch, each player tosses a ball simultaneously back and forth to their partner forth so that they can be caught in the air behind the NVZ line. Players should move to catch the ball in front of their torso as much as possible.
Goal: This exercise trains the player to receive the ball in front of their body as well as move side-to-side along the NVZ while increasing their need to focus.
Volley Drills
Volleying is the act of hitting the ball in the air before it bounces. Most volleys are hit at the NVZ line and drills to improve technique and shot-making are shown below.
The speed and target for volleys in drills is dependent on skill levels. For beginning players, the drill will include slow and high volleys hit mostly to the forehand side. But a player’s abilities must be tested to improve skills. There is no better time to do so than in drilling. Even beginning players should intersperse harder and backhand volleys into the drill regimen.
As players’ skills improve, the ball will be hit harder and toward the forehand, backhand, and directly at the body. Judge the difficulty of the drills by the length of the rallies. Longer rallies mean the difficulty level needs to rise. Shorter rallies mean that the difficulty should be reduced until that level is mastered.
Simple Volley Drill
Description: The simplest volley drill for 2 players is to stand at the NVZ line and volley the ball back and forth. Each player should hit the ball to their partner such that the return volley can be made. Players should try to have a rally with a large number of continuous hits and should not try to hit winners.
Goal: This drill will teach the player touch (how hard to hit the ball) and proper paddle face angles. Short reaction time will require players to return to the ready position.
Simple Volley with a Catch
Description: This drill uses the simple volley positions and format for 2 players. Players stand at the NVZ line and volley the ball back and forth. As with the simple volley, each player should hit the ball to their partner such that the return volley can be made. When a rhythm is established, add a new element. Tap the ball to yourself about a foot straight up and then hit the volley to your partner.
Goal: This drill will teach the player added touch and focus. The added touch will allow drop-shot development.
Four-Corner Volley
Description: This drill has 4 players positioned at the NVZ in the center of each service box. Players volley the ball back to the opposition partner who did not volley the ball to them, changing the direction of the ball. Each player should hit the ball to their “opponent” such that the return volley can be made. Players should try to have a rally with a large number of continuous hits and should not try to hit winners.
Goal: This drill will teach the player how to change the direction of the ball. This is more difficult than returning the ball in the same direction from where it came. After several minutes, players should rotate to the next position to learn all angles for volleying.
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