Pickleball Speed-Up and Block Drill
A pickleball drill at the non-volley zone line: after several soft dinks, one player suddenly speeds the ball up at the opponent's body and the opponent must block to reset. Students work on reaction time, ready paddle position, and picking the right moment to attack.
How to play
- Mark the non-volley zone (the kitchen) 7 feet from the net with cones; partners face each other with feet behind their kitchen line.
- Play a 4-minute block of crosscourt dinks: the ball must bounce in the opponent's kitchen.
- Play a 6-minute block: after at least four dinks, either player may speed up with a flat volley at the opponent's dominant-side shoulder; the opponent blocks with a soft paddle to send back a slow ball.
- Scoring: a block that lands back in the kitchen is 2 points; a speed-up that wins the point is 1; a speed-up into the net or out is 1 for the opponent.
- Finish with 6 minutes of open play to 11 points, switching partners every 3 minutes.
Rules
- No volleying with feet inside the kitchen.
- A speed-up may only be hit off a ball above net height.
- For safety, aim at the shoulder or hip, never the face, and use soft indoor balls.
Variations
Easier
The attacker calls "Now!" before speeding up.
Standard
The speed-up comes by surprise after four dinks.
Harder
After a block, the attacker may counter a second time and the rally continues.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: plays from a fixed spot with a slightly narrower kitchen.
- Visual impairment: use a high-contrast ball and always aim the speed-up at the paddle.
- Lower skill level: speed-ups are at half pace for the first few minutes.
Learning goals
- React to a speed-up with a controlled block.
- Choose the right moment and target to attack.
- Keep the paddle ready in front of the body.
Equipment for a class of 25
- paddles: 25
- pickleballs: 15
- low nets: 6
- cones: 24
Teacher tip
Many students drop the paddle between shots; keep repeating "paddle up, chest high." Demand control on speed-ups: it's a tactical attack, not a slam.
PatioLab has "Pickleball Speed-Up and Block Drill" and 2499 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More activities like this
More main activities for High School
1-2-3-2-1 Running Pyramid Intervals
An interval workout where the fast segments build from 1 to 3 minutes and back down, with half that time as jogging recovery.
1-on-1 Self-Pass Volleyball
One-on-one games on narrow 10 x 20 foot courts where each player must self-pass before sending the ball over.
10-20-30 interval running in pairs
The 10-20-30 method strings together 30 seconds of easy jogging, 20 at a moderate pace and 10 at top speed, in five-minute blocks.
1v1 Ball Volley Matches
1v1 ball volley: singles games on a small court with a low net, hitting the ball over the net and allowing one bounce.
2-on-1 Fast Break with a Chasing Defender
Two attackers push a fast break against a defender waiting at the basket while a second defender chases from behind with a few yards' head start against them.
2-on-1 Through Three Defensive Zones
Pairs of attackers cross the court through three zones, each with a defender who cannot leave it, and finish with a shot on goal.