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SKILLS & DRILLS

Core Techniques &
Drills for New Players

The 5 fundamental skills every Cambodia player should develop first — with simple drills you can practice on any Phnom Penh court.

01

The Dink

A soft, controlled shot that arcs over the net and lands in the kitchen. The most important shot in pickleball. Forces your opponent into the kitchen rather than letting them attack. Drill: Stand at the kitchen line and dink back and forth cross-court 50 times without error.

DRILL TIME: 10 min daily
02

The Third Shot Drop

The third shot in a rally (server’s second shot) is a soft drop into the kitchen. Gives the serving team time to advance to the kitchen line from the baseline. The hardest beginner skill but most transformative. Drill: Serve, let it bounce, drop softly into kitchen. Repeat 20 times.

DRILL TIME: 15 min, every session
03

Groundstrokes

Baseline forehand and backhand drives. Keep them consistent — deep, down the middle, or at the opponent’s feet. Don’t try to hit winners from the baseline.

04

Volleys

Hitting the ball from the air at the kitchen line. Keep the paddle face open (tilted back). Short, punchy motion — no big swings. Remember: cannot volley from inside the kitchen.

05

The Lob

A high, arcing shot over your opponents when they’re at the kitchen line. Forces them to retreat. Use sparingly — advanced players will punish slow lobs with an overhead smash.

5 Mistakes That Cost Beginners the Most Points

1
Hitting down the line when you should go cross-court.Cross-court is safer — longer diagonal distance and lower risk of hitting the net post.
2
Staying at the baseline after serving.Move to the kitchen line as soon as possible. The kitchen line is where points are won.
3
Trying to smash everything.Patience beats power at beginner level. The player who makes fewer errors wins most games.
4
Letting the ball drop too low before hitting.Hit the ball at a comfortable height. Letting it get ankle-level forces upward shots that go long.
5
Big backswings on volleys.Keep volley motion compact and controlled. The ball is coming fast at the kitchen line — a big swing will send it long or into the net.