You’re not alone if you struggle to watch the pickleball. A lot of pickleball players—especially those who’ve never played racquet sports—find it difficult to track the ball all the way into the strike zone. That small lapse in focus leads to mishits, pop-ups, and lost confidence on the court.
But here’s the good news: you can learn to watch the pickleball more effectively. In this post, I’ll walk you through the same four progressive drills I use to help players sharpen their vision, improve paddle control, and reduce errors. These drills are simple, customizable, and you don’t even need a court to do most of them.
Drill #1: Toss and Catch with Paddle Hand
Start here. Grab a partner and stand about three to five feet apart—roughly the width of half the kitchen. Get into your ready position like you’re about to play. Begin by underhand tossing a pickleball back and forth at a slow, controlled pace. Focus on watching the holes on the pickleball all the way into your paddle hand.
Once that feels comfortable, add movement. Toss to either side—shoulders and knees—and vary the height. Keep watching the pickleball into your hand. Not just the ball, but the holes. This trains your eyes to stay with the ball through contact—exactly what you need on the court.
Drill #2: Two-Ball Toss to Train Focus
Once you’ve got the rhythm with one ball, level up with two. Your partner holds one ball in each hand and tosses them alternately—first centered, then to different heights and directions. Your job is to focus on catching the ball coming toward you without getting distracted by the ball you just threw.
This variation forces your brain to prioritize visual input and react faster. Plus, it’s a great reaction-time booster. Ready position, eyes on the ball, and go.
Drill #3: Forehand and Backhand Bounce for Paddle Awareness
This one drills two skills at once: hand-eye coordination and paddle angle awareness. Start by bouncing the ball on your paddle using your forehand. Watch the holes on the ball. If the bounce isn’t straight, your paddle’s tilted—great feedback for improving control.
Next, switch to backhand. Most players find this a bit trickier. Once you’ve got both down, alternate: forehand, backhand, then mix in side hits for an extra challenge. These mini drills can be done just about anywhere—on the court, at home, or while waiting between games.
“Not only is this good help for you to watch the pickleball, but this is good for paddle control,” I always tell players. The more feedback you get, the better control you gain.
Drill #4: Reaction Drop Catch
This drill is about reaction time and ball pickup. Have your partner face you with arms extended and a ball in each hand. With your eyes on their face—not the ball—they’ll drop one ball without warning. You try to catch it. Start with catching it off the bounce, then progress to grabbing it midair.
This one’s fun and deceptively challenging. You’re improving your ability to notice, respond, and move toward the ball—all skills that transfer directly to better play.
Final Thoughts:
The more clearly you watch the pickleball, the more confidently you’ll hit it. These drills are small adjustments, but they can lead to big changes in your game. They help you reduce mishits, improve reaction time, and feel more in control during rallies.
Which drill gave you the most trouble—forehand bounce, backhand bounce, or that forehand-side-backhand combo? Let me know in the comments.
Want more support? Check out the full video linked below for demos and explanations. And if you’re looking to level up your strategy as well as your strokes, grab our free Better Pickleball Strategy Guide or explore the Better Pickleball Academy. You don’t have to figure this game out alone—we’re here to help you train smart, live bold, and age well.
Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/p7k5xyb2eow
CJ Johnson
Hey there — I’m a professional three-sport athlete and coach who has spent my entire adult life earning a living from playing and coaching sports. Since I started coaching more than three decades ago, one thing has remained the same: My commitment to see students not as they are but as what they can become and to move heaven and earth to help them realize their untapped potential. You should know that when it comes to helping pickleball players over 50 live their best lives on and off the courts, I'm an expert. Good pickleball is not just technique; it's the mind and body working holistically. That's why I'm also a personal trainer and weight management specialist. When I’m chillin', you'll find me watching Star Trek with my husband John and our two fur babies, Shirley and Ralph. (Yes, Happy Days)
Watching the ball longer sounds good in theory, but I find it necessary in actual play to be watching my opponents’ movements so that I can return the ball strategically. How do I do both?
hey Julie, watching the ball and watching your opponents are typically skills built in layers. Watching the ball to the paddle is a key to good contact. You can’t actually see it make contact with the paddle but if you watch the ball tot he strike zone your brain processes the information being captured to get into position for the shot. As you do that you can rely on your peripheral vision to see spaces that indicate open court. After you’ve hit your shot your attention turns to your opponents. Some players watch paddles other players watch body movement for the tells that indicate where the next shot is going.
These are fantastic drills that I will begin to do on a daily routine.
Glad you like them. Keep us informed of your improvement!