How To Increase Your Hand Speed and Reflexes With This Solo Wall Drill
When you are in the kitchen it's crucial to have quick reflexes and be able to stay in the point. It certainly can be the difference between winning or losing points.
When I first started to practise this particular solo wall drill I was amazed at how quickly my pickleball game improved, in fact having cat-like reflexes at the kitchen line has taken my game to new levels quickly. The repetition builds your muscle memory so you can be relaxed yet still make great returns.
Here's the Best Drill For Fast Reflexes To Increase Your Hand Speed
- Find a flat wall surface and with some masking tape make a small target 36 inches from the floor, which is the height of a pickleball net.
- Start out with a distance of 5 feet from the wall. Begin by striking the ball against the wall, keeping the ball in the air. Try and get 5 shots in a row on your forehand then 5 on your backhand without it touching the ground.
- Once you can consistently do that, move closer to the wall, 2 to 3 feet. You'll get a rhythm and start to hit the ball at a faster pace. Always stay in an athletic stance and "slightly" adjust your footwork accordingly. The idea is to be in control, keeping the ball in the air as many times as you can.
- Once you are comfortable doing that then switch between your forehand and backhand volley with each strike to increase intensity. This will help you react effectively just as you would in a real game.
- When you get better at this, challenge yourself to move even closer to the wall, forcing your reflexes and hand-eye coordination to improve so you can win those hand battles at the kitchen.
How To Maximise Your Results
- Watch the ball: Always keep an eye on the ball as it hits your paddle. Too many players lose focus by looking at their opponents.
- Practice consistently: Regular practice builds the muscle memory needed to improve your reflexes and overall game.
- Be patient: It may be tough at first, but with patience and persistence, you'll see significant progress.
- Stay relaxed: Being tense can slow you down. Just like top athletes, staying relaxed helps you react faster and perform better.
Relax
Many pickleball players are "too tight" when they are at the kitchen line anticipating the next shot. For example, if you watch the best boxers, they are relaxed and can perform optimally when in this state. Same with pickleball, the more relaxed you are at the kitchen line, the better you'll perform. So make sure to practice this drill as it's your secret weapon to improving your game!