Best Pickleball Warm Up Routine: Competitive pickleball tournaments often involve long waits between matches, making it crucial for players to stay loose and ready. Kyle from ThatPickleballSchool shares a structured five-minute warm-up routine to help players regain their rhythm and confidence before stepping onto the court.
Maximizing Warm-Up Time
Players should bring a ball with them to avoid wasting time if the referee isn’t present. If the ref is there, asking about the available warm-up time helps players plan accordingly. Even if the warm-up window is shorter than five minutes, the routine can be adjusted to fit the time available.
A Step-by-Step Warm-Up Routine
The warm-up starts with quick hands drills, where players rapidly volley the ball at the net. “I’ve just been sitting around, and I want to activate my brain and body. Quick hands is the fastest way to do that,” Kyle explains. This drill also has a psychological advantage—opponents hearing the fast exchanges may feel added pressure.
Next, players move to down-the-line dinking, helping them regain touch and control. “The point of the warm-up is to get touches,” Kyle says, emphasizing that practicing match-like shots is key. From there, they transition to mid-court shots, working on their ability to control the ball between the baseline and the kitchen.
After mid-court work, players practice drops and drives from the baseline, simulating real match conditions. They take turns hitting and receiving different shots to prepare for third-shot scenarios. The final drill focuses on getting to the kitchen, where players practice advancing to the net under game-like conditions.
Finishing with Serves and Returns
If time permits, players should hit a few serves and returns. “You don’t want your first serve of the match to go long or dump into the net,” Kyle advises. By adapting the warm-up to fit the available time, players ensure they are physically and mentally ready to compete.
News in Brief: Best Pickleball Warm Up Routine
Pickleball coach Kyle from ThatPickleballSchool shares a five-minute warm-up routine to help players prepare between matches. The structured drills focus on quick hands, dinking, transition shots, and serves. The routine can be adapted based on available time, ensuring players regain rhythm and confidence before stepping onto the court.
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