Set up
Start all players at the kitchen line and declare the active straight or crosscourt lane before scoring begins.
Court: One pickleball court; use the named half-court lanes when instructed
Equipment:paddles, pickleballs
Run the drill
- Start at the kitchen line and play rally scoring; every ball must bounce inside the kitchen.
- Play straight and both diagonals, keeping a running score until the block clock ends.
Timing: about 10 minutes for the whole block.
Roles and rotation
2 players
- Players 1 and 2: opponents; both dink under the same kitchen-only and rally-scoring rules
Rotate: Alternate who starts the rally and work straight plus both crosscourt diagonals.
Repetitions: Both players contact throughout every rally. Split the working time evenly.
4 players
- Players 1 and 2: first kitchen-line team; cover their half and share middle balls
- Players 3 and 4: opposing kitchen-line team under the same kitchen-only rule
Rotate: Alternate the initiating team after each rally and switch ends halfway.
Repetitions: All four players stay live throughout each full-width dink rally. No added time is required.
Targets and cues
- Win rally-scored points while making every ball bounce legally inside the kitchen.
- Keep enough arc to clear the net, recover to a balanced kitchen position, and track the running score aloud.
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.