Michael Loyd’s Pickleball Training Secrets: Professional pickleball player Michael Loyd has improved his singles game and pushed toward a top 10 ranking through intense training and weekly rest. Loyd shared how focused drills and recovery days have helped him play better and stay balanced in the fast-growing world of competitive pickleball.
Focused Training for Top-Level Play
As professional pickleball gets faster and more competitive, players need to work harder to succeed. Michael Loyd has been doing just that, climbing the ranks by improving his speed, footwork, and efficiency on the court.
“I’ve been working with my trainer, Ty Woody, and we’ve been doing a lot of speed and agility type of work. A lot of it is very pickleball-specific, with a big emphasis on the first step and trying to get away from wasted motion more than anything,”. “Learning how to take a couple less steps and be more efficient with my steps has really contributed to my game.”(Michael Loyd)

Loyd drills six times a week and usually plays once a day. If he can’t find a partner, he drills twice. His regular practice includes dinks, resets, and drive-drop combos, which he often shares on his YouTube channel.
“I normally drill and play a game once a day. But sometimes I’ll end up drilling twice if I can’t set up a game. And I drill six times a week,” (Michael Loyd).
He often mixes rhythm-based drills with competitive games to simulate real match pressure.

The Power of Rest and Balance
Unlike some athletes who train nonstop, Loyd takes Sundays off to rest. He believes this routine helps both his physical and mental health.
“I like to take Sundays off to just rest, recuperate, and get my mind off pickleball,” (Michael Loyd).
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Loyd says taking time away from pickleball is key to long-term success.
“Resting is great because you have to have other things outside of pickleball. And that day off is good because it gives me time to go to church, hang out with my friends and girlfriend, and gives me the time to recharge.
Sometimes recharging is just sitting at home and relaxing, and other times it’s going out to dinner with friends,”. “It’s really important to have balance in your life, so Sundays are usually my designated day where if I’m not playing on Championship Sunday, then I’m resting at home.”(Michael Loyd)
What’s Next for Michael Loyd?
With his current form and training routine, Loyd is expected to appear in more gold medal matches. His dedication to both hard work and rest may serve as a guide for other players looking to improve. As pickleball grows, Loyd’s balanced approach could help him stay at the top.
News in Brief: Michael Loyd’s Pickleball Training Secrets
Michael Loyd is climbing the singles rankings in pro pickleball through focused drills and weekly rest days. With help from his trainer, he works on speed, footwork, and efficiency. He drills six days a week and takes Sundays off to recover, aiming for more Championship Sunday appearances.
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