Set up
Put two players at the kitchen on a crosscourt diagonal and use each opponent's feet as the landing target.
Court: One pickleball court; use the named half-court lanes when instructed
Equipment:paddles, pickleballs
Run the drill
- Dink crosscourt and aim for the opponent's feet rather than the center of the kitchen.
- Keep the exchange cooperative enough to repeat the target, then switch diagonals.
Timing: about 10 minutes for the whole block.
Roles and rotation
2 players
- Players 1 and 2: cooperative crosscourt opponents; both target the other's feet
Rotate: Alternate the rally initiator and switch diagonals halfway.
Repetitions: Both players perform the same placement and recovery task. Split the working time evenly.
4 players
- Players 1 and 2: first kitchen-line team; each targets the feet of the diagonal opponent
- Players 3 and 4: opposing team with the same crosscourt foot target
Rotate: Change diagonal targets halfway and alternate the initiating side.
Repetitions: All four players dink continuously and receive equal target repetitions. No added time is required.
Targets and cues
- Sustain the rally while landing dinks close enough to the feet to force movement or an upward contact.
- Aim through the opponent's inside or outside foot and recover before choosing the next target.
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.