Advanced Pickleball Cutthroat Drill Techniques: Pickleball coach DJ Howard demonstrated a three-player training game called Cutthroat, focusing on both mental and physical skills. In a video for Selkirk TV, DJ Howard explained the rules, gave examples, and encouraged players to use this game to improve their skills in real match situations.
How the Game Works
The Cutthroat drill involves three players. One player acts as a singles player on one side, while the other two play as a doubles team on the opposite side.
“This is the game Cutthroat. It’s a two-on-one game. Doubles team on one side, singles player on the other side.”
The singles player serves the ball to begin the rally. The doubles team must return the ball only to the half where the singles player stands. However, the singles player can hit the ball anywhere.
“If you win the rally, you score a point, slide to the left half of the court and then continue on.”
Only the serving player can earn points. After each rally, the roles rotate. The first player to reach seven points wins the game.
Examples and Playthrough
In the video, DJ Howard coached players John and Damen through a round of Cutthroat. John started as the singles player, served the ball, and won the first rally.
“My shot was wide. John scores a point. He moves over to the left half of the court, scores one. I still have zero,”
said DJ Howard during the drill. John continued to score but eventually lost a rally. DJ Howard rotated into the singles position while Damen moved into place to take his turn later.
“John is out. He comes to my side. I would then rotate to the left half of the court. Meanwhile, Damen is going to go over to the singles side for an opportunity to try and score,”.
Rules and Legal Shots
Around-the-post shots are allowed during the game. These happen when the ball goes wide, and the player hits it around the net post and back into play.
“Around the post shots are allowed, and that is true whether it’s on the singles player side or the open court.”
However, one shot is not allowed: hitting the ball behind the player when it bounces.
“John is not allowed to hit the ball behind Damian into his half of the court,”.
This is because such a shot would not be possible if there were another player present, as in real match conditions. Hitting behind a player is allowed if it’s a volley and the ball is still in the air.
“I may take a volley and hit it behind you because you would have to protect that in a real point,”.
Optional Game Variation
DJ Howard also introduced a harder version of Cutthroat. In this variation, the doubles team can return the serve to either side of the court instead of just the singles player’s half.
“We will open up the entire court so that the returners can hit to either side on the return,”.
The singles player then stays on one side during the rest of the point. This adds movement and simulates more realistic gameplay.
Game Benefits and Learning
Cutthroat helps players improve control, footwork, and decision-making. Since only the singles player can score, it builds pressure and teaches how to handle it during play.
The drill also helps players get used to common match situations like switching sides, returning wide shots, and defending against smart plays.
By watching DJ Howard’s lesson and practicing this drill, players can sharpen their skills and prepare for tournament-level pickleball.
News in Brief: Advanced Pickleball Cutthroat Drill Techniques
Coach DJ Howard introduced the Cutthroat drill, a three-player pickleball game featured on Selkirk TV. The game trains players in advanced tactics, focus, and quick decision-making. Only singles players score, with roles rotating after each point. Optional rules and live examples help players prepare for real match conditions.
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