8 Pickleball Drills You Can Do Without a Court
Don’t have access to a court this week? No problem. Maybe you’re traveling, stuck in a gym without open court time, or just trying to squeeze in a few extra reps at home. You can still work on your game without ever stepping foot on a court.
These simple, effective drills can be done just about anywhere. Most only require a paddle, a ball, and a little bit of space… and each one targets a different part of your game to help you stay sharp.
1. Shadow Paddle Work (Form and Footwork)
One of the key skills in pickleball is proper paddle technique and footwork. Shadow drills allow you to focus on these areas without the need for a court.
How to do it:
Stand in an open space where you have plenty of room to move.
Hold your paddle as if you’re playing a game, and practice the different strokes you’d normally use: forehands, backhands, drop shots, overheads, and volleys.
Focus on form: keep your paddle face stable, use a proper grip, and follow through. It doesn’t have to be game speed—slow it down and work on mechanics.
Incorporate footwork: shuffle, drop-step, pivot, and adjust your positioning like you’re moving to the next shot.
Why it matters:
A Reddit user’s make shift indoor setup for dinking skills.
This helps build muscle memory and reinforces good mechanics so that your movements become second nature during real games.
2. Ball Control with a Wall (Dinking Skills)
Dinking is a core part of pickleball, and you can absolutely practice it against a wall. Just like elementary school recess… at least at my school 😂.
How to do it:
Stand about 5–10 feet away from a solid wall.
Use a pickleball and gently tap it against the wall, aiming for a soft, consistent return.
Use a short stroke to simulate finesse and control.
Want more of a challenge? Control the bounce, speed, and angles to keep the ball low, just like in a real dink exchange.
Why it matters:
This drill sharpens your ball control and touch, two essentials in the short game.
3. Footwork Drills (Lateral Movement, Lunges, and Agility)
Quick lateral movement is key in pickleball. Solid footwork can be the difference between getting to the ball or giving up a point.
How to do it:
Set up two markers (cones, shoes, water bottles, whatever you’ve got) about 5–10 feet apart.
Shuffle quickly between them, staying low with knees bent.
Don’t cross your feet, and focus on quick, controlled bursts.
Imagine you're moving at the kitchen line to defend a tricky crosscourt dink.
Why it matters:
Quick feet drill in a home gym
You’ll boost agility and movement at the kitchen line, making it easier to chase down tough balls or recover after a shot.
4. Serve Practice with a Towel (Serve Technique)
A strong serve sets the tone. Even without a net, you can build consistency and power.
How to do it:
Hang a towel over a door frame or stretch it across a space at waist height.
Practice your underhand serve motion, aiming to hit the towel each time.
Focus on mechanics, form, and even add spin or placement variations.
Bonus tip: Add a weight around your paddle handle to help build swing speed and power.
Why it matters:
Better serve mechanics lead to more consistency, more confidence, and, most importantly, more free points.
5. Hand-Eye Coordination Drills (Reaction Time)
Pickleball demands quick reflexes, especially at the net. Training your eyes and hands to work together pays off big time.
How to do it:
Drop a pickleball and catch it before it bounces twice.
Toss it against a wall and catch on the rebound using your dominant hand.
Make it harder by using just one hand or alternating hands mid-drill.
Why it matters:
Improving reaction time sharpens your ability to respond during fast-paced volleys and quick net battles.
6. Grip Practice (Paddle Handling)
Grip directly affects control, power, and feel. Off-court is the perfect time to build grip awareness.
How to do it:
Hold your paddle and cycle through different grips: continental, eastern, and western.
Practice switching quickly like you would during a fast exchange.
If you don’t switch grips, focus on keeping a comfortable, slightly firm hold during different motion types.
Why it matters:
You’ll develop better paddle feel and faster transitions between shots, especially in quick exchanges.
7. Reaction Time Drill (Ball Bounce & Catch)
Split-second reactions often make or break a point, especially at the kitchen line.
How to do it:
Drop a ball and catch it after one bounce.
Try reducing the bounce time or bouncing off a wall to work on faster reaction speeds.
Add a second ball for even more of a challenge.
Why it matters:
This keeps your brain and hands in sync so you’re ready for anything thrown your way on court.
8. Mechanics of Each Shot (Muscle Memory and Repetition)
The more consistent your mechanics, the more consistent your game. No court? No excuses.
How to do it:
Stand in front of a mirror, if possible (trust us, it helps).
Go through the mechanics of dinks, drops, drives, overheads, serves, and volleys.
No paddle? No problem. Visualizing the motion can still train your brain and body.
Why it matters:
This is about quality repetition. Rehearsing the right movements, even without a ball, builds trust in your technique.
Takeaways: Your Game Doesn’t Pause When You Travel
Practicing off the court can make a big impact, especially when time or space is limited. These drills help you stay connected to the game and build habits that stick, so when you’re back on the court, it all feels a little more natural.
So next time you're out adventuring (or just stuck without a net), remember: there's still plenty of pickleball to be played.