There can come a time when you want to get some pickleball action in whether it’s to play, practice or run some drills, but you only have three people. Your fourth person is going to be 45 minutes late or says they can’t come at all.
That’s where this week’s tip comes in.
Coach Mary’s Pickleball Tip of the Week: Three-person drills
There is no reason you need to wait for your fourth player to arrive to drill, practice or play. I am regularly incorporating three-person drills into my own workouts. That means more touches, and more accuracy, since the two players must hit to the single players’ side of the court.
Here are some options:
One of our favorite online instructors Jordan Briones has a 2-on-1 drill I like.
It’s a 2 on 1, with the single player in the transition zone. He must hit three resets before he can come in. Play it out, first one to 5 wins.
If the single player misses, they rotate.
Another online instructor Ed Ju has a 2-on-1 drill in which all players at the NVZ. The single player must cover 60% of the court. After 2 dinks, get ready for a speed up!
Online instructor Coriellottpb has a three person drill in which it’s 2 on 1 with all players up at the NVZ, playing it out after a courtesy dink feed. Players will each get to be on their own – play to 7 points.
And follow that up with 2 on 1 playing 7-11, with the single player back, trying to execute a 3rd and follow it in.
And finally, from The Art of Pickleball, there is a good drill with 2 on 1 but playing full court (we used to call this Australian Doubles in tennis).
An opportunity to play
Next Indoor Round Robin event: Aug. 30, at Palm Desert Civic Center Park gymnasium. Email me directly with questions: mgbarsaleau@gmail.com
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Pickleball tip of the Week: No fourth? Try these three-person drills
Reporting by Mary Barsaeleau, Special to The Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mary Barsaeleau, Special to The Desert Sun | USA TODAY Network
