Set up
Put a lob feeder at the kitchen and a catcher near the opposite kitchen line with a clear retreat path.
Court: One pickleball court; use the named half-court lanes when instructed
Equipment:paddles, pickleballs
Run the drill
- The feeder lobs while the worker turns, shuffles, and catches overhead with the non-paddle hand.
- Progress to a shadow swing and then a live overhead; rotate after 15 to 20 lobs.
Timing: about 10 minutes for the whole block. Use the stated repetition goal as a target and the scheduled block time as a hard ceiling.
Roles and rotation
2 players
- Player 1: lob feeder; sends catchable lobs with varied but safe depth
- Player 2: catcher; turns, shuffles, and catches at the intended overhead contact point
Rotate: Swap feeder and catcher after 15 to 20 lobs, then repeat the progressions.
Repetitions: Each player receives the same number of catch, shadow, and live-overhead repetitions. Split the working time evenly.
4 players
- Players 1 and 2: feeder and catcher in the left half-court lane
- Players 3 and 4: feeder and catcher in the right half-court lane
Rotate: Each lane swaps feeder and catcher after 15 to 20 lobs.
Repetitions: Two independent lanes keep every player active and give equal overhead turns. No added time is required.
Targets and cues
- Catch each lob overhead and in front with the non-paddle hand after turning and shuffling safely behind it.
- Turn the hips, point with the non-paddle hand, shuffle instead of backpedalling, and get behind the ball.
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.
References and demonstrations
No external reference or demonstration is currently listed for this drill.