Set up
Put two cones on each player's or team's side at the inside- and outside-foot positions, then begin crosscourt.
Court: One pickleball court; use the named half-court lanes when instructed
Equipment:paddles, pickleballs, cones
Run the drill
- Place two cones on each side and begin a crosscourt dink rally.
- Score by winning the rally or striking a cone; rotate diagonals halfway through.
Timing: about 10 minutes for the whole block.
Roles and rotation
2 players
- Players 1 and 2: crosscourt opponents; both defend their cones and target the opponent's cones
Rotate: Alternate the rally initiator and switch diagonals halfway.
Repetitions: Both players perform the same placement and recovery work. Split the working time evenly.
4 players
- Players 1 and 2: first kitchen-line team; defend their cones and target the opposite cones
- Players 3 and 4: opposing team with the same cone-scoring goal
Rotate: Alternate the initiating team and switch ends halfway.
Repetitions: All four players stay active in a full-width dink rally. No added time is required.
Targets and cues
- Score by striking a cone or winning the rally while deliberately using both foot targets.
- Look at the target before the opponent contacts, then direct with paddle face rather than extra speed.
Common failure: Rushing the next contact before the player has recovered position.
Good miss:A purposeful miss made while following the stated target and movement cue.