Why You’re Still Warming Up in Game 3 (And How to Fix It)

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched a player warm up for ten minutes. Then they step onto the court for their first real game and completely airball a drop shot they haven’t touched all morning. It’s not because they’re a bad player. Instead, it’s because they warmed up their body, but never ran through a real pickleball warm-up routine. That routine should cover every shot they’re about to need.

Here’s the pattern I see over and over: most players hit a few dinks. Sometimes they add volleys if they’re feeling fancy, and call it good. Then they play their first two or three games basically as their real warm-up. They work the rust off shot by shot while the score is actually on the line. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t hit your stride until game three, this is exactly why.

The good news? You can fix this before you ever step on the court. My buddy Sarah and I put together a full shot warm-up routine. I want to walk you through it so you can start playing your best pickleball from game number one.

Start With Your Feet, Not Your Paddle

Before I even think about a shot, I think about my feet. I want to feel myself up on what I call my “triangles” — light, ready, and able to move in any direction. Every single shot in this routine starts from that same place. If you only take one thing from this post, take this: pick one thing to think about at a time. Don’t try to fix your grip, your stroke, your footwork, and your target all in the same swing. Start with your feet and get moving. After that, let the rest come naturally.

The Full Pickleball Warm-Up Routine, Shot by Shot

Straight and Crosscourt Dinks. Start soft, straight ahead, thinking about your feet and a light grip. Once that feels good, move into crosscourt dinks from both sides. At this stage, you really start to feel your movement patterns change. It all depends on which side of the court you’re on.

Volleys. Move up so your heels are near the back of the non-volley zone. Keep things cooperative — you’re not trying to hit through your partner. Instead, you’re trying to warm up together. Picture a bullseye on your partner and just push the paddle toward it. Keep your paddle out in front of you, and your swings short. Also, don’t get lazy about returning to your ready position between shots.

The Slinky Drill. This is one of my favorites for warming up drops and punch volleys together. One player stays at the kitchen line working punch volleys, while the other starts at the net and works backward hitting drop shots. They go all the way to the baseline and back up again. Then you switch. It’s a great way to feel the full transition zone in just a few minutes.

Groundstrokes. Here I’m thinking about two things: my footwork, and depth. I want my groundstrokes landing three to four feet from the baseline. This usually means giving the ball a little extra net clearance, around four feet or so. Give yourself enough space so you’re not jamming your own swing. That’s the mistake I catch myself making most, especially on my forehand.

Serve and Return. This one’s simple — no rally, just serve and return, back and forth. I like starting with a drop serve because it helps my rhythm. Then I’ll mix in a volley serve once I’ve found my depth. On the return, pick your target before the ball is even in the air — middle, wide, short, or deep. That way your brain already knows where it’s headed.

Overheads and Transition Zone. Warm up that shoulder first with a few gentle figure-eights before you take a real overhead swing. And here’s something worth remembering: you do not need an overhead to be a great pickleball player. If you’ve got a strong punch volley instead, use it. The goal is defending that shot with confidence, not proving you have a tennis serve.

One Question Before You Play

Once you’ve gone through this whole routine, ask yourself: is there a shot I typically hit during a game that I didn’t just warm up? For Sarah and me, it’s often lobs — both from the kitchen and off the baseline — and we sometimes skip them without meaning to. Whatever your version of that shot is, make sure it’s part of your pickleball warm-up routine too.

At the end of the day, it really does come back to your feet. Move your feet, stay light, and don’t watch your paddle — watch the ball and trust your feet to get you there. Do that, and you’ll walk into your first game already playing your best pickleball instead of finding it two games in. This is because your warm-up routine did its job before the score ever mattered.

You can find more warm-up drills and routines like this one over at betterpickleball.com.

If you’re ready to stop finding your game two matches in, come grow your game with us — check out our camps!