News

PickleCOACH - The Value of Drilling vs Playing in Pickleball: Why Both Matter for Improvement

Published Fri 25 Jul 2025

Four pickleball players at the kitchen line hitting a pickleball

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced pickleball player in Queensland, the question often comes up: Should I spend more time drilling or just get out there and play games?

The answer isn’t either-or. Both are key to improving your pickleball performance. But understanding the value of drilling vs playing can help you maximise your development and enjoyment on the court.

Drilling: The Fast Track to Skill Development

Drilling in pickleball involves repeated, focused practice on specific shots, movements, or strategies. This might include practising your third shot drop, working on volleys, or fine-tuning your footwork at the kitchen line.

The major advantage of drilling is that it builds muscle memory and consistency. Repetition allows players to improve their control, timing, and shot selection, all in a controlled environment without the unpredictability of a game.

Drills also give you the space to break down and refine mechanics. For example, if you’re having trouble with your backhand dink, repeating that shot in a drill session allows you to focus on grip, paddle angle, and body position without the pressure of scoring.

Some Benefits of Dedicated Drilling

These include:

Mastery of specific skills
Faster improvement in weak areas
Increased confidence in shot selection
Better coordination and footwork

Playing: The Real-World Test

On the other hand, playing pickleball games, whether social or competitive, gives you the chance to apply what you've learned in a dynamic, fast-paced setting.

Game play develops your anticipation, adaptability, and mental toughness, while also reinforcing strategic thinking.

Playing matches helps build court awareness and decision-making under pressure. You might not be drilling your drop shot specifically, but you'll be challenged to use it during a rally - often at unpredictable times and angles.

Regular Game Play Also Improves:

Strategic shot selection
Communication with doubles partners
Reaction time and agility
Experience in different match scenarios

So, What’s Better: Drilling or Playing?

The truth is the best pickleball players balance both. Drilling is essential for building and refining your technical skills, while playing is where you apply those skills in real-time.

Focusing only on games can slow your development if you continue repeating poor habits. Conversely, drilling alone without gameplay may make you proficient in practice but leave you struggling in match situations.

How to Structure Your Time

To maximise your pickleball progress:

Dedicate at least 30-40% of your weekly court time to drilling
Use drills that mimic game situations (e.g. live ball drills)
After drilling, play games where you consciously apply what you’ve just practised
Join or create local drilling groups within your pickleball community

Final Thoughts

If you're serious about becoming a better pickleball player, don’t skip the drills. They’re your building blocks for success. But remember, the joy of the game comes from playing, competing, and connecting.

By balancing drilling and playing, you’ll grow more confident, skilled, and consistent every time you step onto the court.

AND FINAL WORDS FROM WORLD PROS - MUST WATCH VIDEOS!

BEN JOHNS AND HIS TAKE ON DRILLING VS REC PLAY:

This insightful video clip is hosted on Ben Johns official channel. Ben is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, professional pickleball players in the world.

Watch as Ben dives into why both drilling and match play are vital for improvement, an expert’s perspective straight from one of the sport's top-ranked pros.

ANNA LEIGH WATERS ON WHAT DRILLING MEANS FOR HER:

Watch how the female world no. 1 splits her time (about 60-70% drilling, 30-40% playing) and why it’s essential to rehearse shots and then use them in real match contexts.

🔗 Watch the drilling segment here from 32:32 to 40:06 for Anna Leigh Waters’ insights on pickleball drilling and practice structure.

📝 Highlights to take from her Session:

Practice Mix	Aim for 60-70% drilling and 30-40% game play to build trust in skills under pressure
Drilling Variety	Rotate drills: directional dinks, speed-ups, third-shot drops, footwork, and pattern drills, to boost adaptability and focus
Avoid Drill Fatigue	Change routines: for example, switch from dinks to baseline work, to keep sessions mentally fresh
Aggression First	Focus on building aggressive play early; finesse skills over time