Pickleball · Improver Plan · Week 2

Block and re-fire

Absorb the speed-up low into the kitchen, then take the next ball out of the air before they have recovered their paddle.

Video walkthrough

Coming soon

The on-court video for this drill is in production. The full step-by-step is below — and our in-depth guide goes deeper still.

How to dink→

What it is

The speed-up is attacking a dink out of the air, or on the rise, to start a hands battle — and the block-and-re-fire is how you survive one coming the other way, then win the exchange that follows.

When to use it

Attack only a ball that is above net height and out in front of you, and aim at the body — right hip, left shoulder, or the middle seam — never the sideline. When the speed-up comes at you, block the first one low into the kitchen, then take the next ball out of the air.

When not to

Never from below the net. Attacking from under the tape gives them a free counter at your feet — if it’s below the net, keep dinking. Patience is a shot, not a delay.

How to do it

1Partner dinks; you may only speed up a ball that is above net height and out in front. Ten attacks, scored.
2Swap roles: partner speeds up at you. Block low into the kitchen, then take the next ball out of the air before they’ve recovered their paddle.
3Play dink-to-attack to 11, where attacking a ball below net height loses the point outright.

Coaching cues

If it’s below the net, keep dinking.
Attack the body — the sideline is a low-percentage habit.
Block the first one, never swing at it. Paddle in front of the chest, elbows in.
Only attack a ball you are already balanced for.

Common errors

Speeding up from below the net. Their counter arrives at your feet, and you started it.
Swinging at the block. Blocking is absorbing, not hitting — the swing comes on the next ball.
Aiming for the line instead of the body. The chicken-wing shoulder is the percentage target.
Starting a battle you’re not balanced for. If your feet are still moving, dink again.

This is the Week 2 drill from the RacketRise Pickleball Improver Plan. Go deeper with how to dink, or see all drill guides.