SINGLES PICKLEBALL

While it may be less popular than doubles, singles can be a really fun way to play pickleball! The trouble is, many people are hesitant to give it a try.

These lesson plans make it easy for an instructor to introduce some of the key tactics of singles in a way that is both systematic and fun!

We wrote clear descriptions of each of the activities. But for even more fun, we added a few examples below as GIFs. Enjoy!

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PLAN #1: Intermediate Singles (1). This lesson focuses on the beginning of the point — using the return of serve to cause trouble. The teaching points show where singles tactics come into contact with doubles and where they diverge.

Player returning serve crosscourt to opponent on an indoor pickleball court

Intermediate Singles 1: Controlling the Return (direction)
Player performing a wide-body T serve while opponent readies a return on an indoor pickleball court

Intermediate Singles 1: Serve to Target

PLAN #2: Intermediate Singles (2). The development of the point in singles also depends a lot on the third shot. While there are some tactics that apply in both singles and doubles, this lesson outlines some key differences in terms of the mentality when hitting the third.

Two players demonstrating a singles pickleball drill on an indoor court, focusing on third-shot approach and court positioning

Intermediate Singles 2: Jail Cell
Player hitting a forehand during a singles drill on an indoor pickleball court with cones and an opponent at the baseline

Intermediate Singles 2: Third Shot Approach

PLAN #3. Intermediate Singles (3). Building on Lesson #2, the focus here is on what to do when the return of serve prevents a player from doing what they want with their third shot. As well as hitting a challenging shot, players must learn to identify the quality of their ball and move accordingly.

Two players on an indoor pickleball court practicing a serve, return, and drop shot sequence showing court positions and movement

Intermediate Singles 3: Serve, Return, Drop

WARM-UP MENU

In each lesson plan, we allocated time for the warm-up. We created a “warm-up menu” and recommend choosing a sample from it to start off each of your lessons.

Player returning serve crosscourt to opponent on an indoor pickleball court
Player performing a wide-body T serve while opponent readies a return on an indoor pickleball court
Two players demonstrating a singles pickleball drill on an indoor court, focusing on third-shot approach and court positioning
Player hitting a forehand during a singles drill on an indoor pickleball court with cones and an opponent at the baseline
Two players on an indoor pickleball court practicing a serve, return, and drop shot sequence showing court positions and movement
Player returning serve crosscourt to opponent on an indoor pickleball court
Player performing a wide-body T serve while opponent readies a return on an indoor pickleball court
Two players demonstrating a singles pickleball drill on an indoor court, focusing on third-shot approach and court positioning
Player hitting a forehand during a singles drill on an indoor pickleball court with cones and an opponent at the baseline
Two players on an indoor pickleball court practicing a serve, return, and drop shot sequence showing court positions and movement