One of the best drills in pickleball is skinny singles. Skinny singles only requires you and one other player. You can play skinny singles straight on or crosscourt (be sure to try all directional combinations!), but the key is that you will only play in half of the court on each side of the pickleball net, with regular scoring and a similar strategy as doubles—serve deep, return deep, third shot drop or drive, and then both you and your opponent should be at the Non-Volley Zone or Kitchen Line in a dink war by the fourth shot.

One key difference with skinny singles is that you only get one serve, rather than two serves like in doubles pickleball. So, as the serving player, once you lose the point, you lose your serve, and your opponent will now serve. Also, remember to only play half of the pickleball court, so the center line will be considered one of the sidelines.

Skinny singles is one of the best drills in pickleball because it emulates the strategy and play of doubles, but you have the opportunity to play every shot and work on your skills on every shot. You have to be ready on every shot. Also, with a smaller court, you are forced to focus on your placement of shots. Zone in and focus on every shot. Consider even slowing down a few points to really focus on technique and strategy.

Key Takeaway:

1. Drill, drill, drill and put all of your lessons to practice by playing skinny singles!