How to Do a 5-Minute Warm-Up Between Pickleball Matches

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Kyle from ThatPickleballSchool

Hey guys, it’s Kyle from ThatPickleballSchool. By the end of this article, you’ll know a five-minute warm-up you can use in between matches at a tournament. So here’s typically what happens: you’re at a tournament, you show up a little early, maybe get in a longer warm-up or a few practice games. Then the tournament starts, you play your first match, and then—you wait.

Eventually, you get the text. You’ll see something like: “Court 39 immediately for your match: Michael Lloyd, Nico Montoya vs. Dan Johnson, Craig Johnson.”

When you get that text, you head straight to the court, and usually, you only have about five minutes to warm up.

Use Every Second: Bring a Ball, Ask the Ref

Bring a ball with you. If the ref isn’t there yet, you don’t want to waste time standing around. If the ref is there, ask how much time you have. Usually, it’s five minutes. But even if it’s less—or more—the same warm-up applies. Just condense or expand it.

When you get to the court, you’re probably going to start warming up down the line with your partner. But if no one’s there yet, hit some cross-court dinks, because as soon as others show up, they’re going to want to go down the line.

Step 1: Quick Hands

Here we go. I like to start with quick hands for two reasons.

A quick hands warm-up in pickleball is a fast-paced drill where players stand close to the net and rapidly volley the ball back and forth to improve hand speed and reflexes.

One, I’ve just been sitting around, and I want to activate my brain and body. Quick hands is the fastest way to do that. Two, it’s fun—and a little bit intimidating. If your opponents hear you and your partner going at it with quick hands, they’ll feel the pressure. And if you accidentally hit them, say “Sorry!” But seriously, don’t do that. Okay?

We’re doing that for about 30 seconds.

Step 2: Down the Line Dinking

Next, we do some down-the-line dinking. Just getting our touch, maybe occasionally speeding it up. Again, 30 seconds to a minute.

Big picture—pause and understand the principle:
The point of the warm-up is to get touches. You’ve been sitting, and you want to practice the same shots you’re about to see in the game.

So far:

1. Quick Hands
2. Dinking

Step 3: Mid-Court Work

Now we move to mid-court transition work. I’ll feed my partner some higher balls and work on touch in the mid-court. I’ll stay back while he’s up, then we flip.

Step 4: Drops and Drives from the Baseline

After mid-court, move back to work on drops and drives. Remember, the third shot drop is different than a reset. So, ask your partner to feed you flat or cut shots, because that’s what you’re likely to see in a real game.

So now we’re working on third shot drops, drives—that’s number four.

Step 5: Get to the Kitchen

Finally, I call it “get to the kitchen.” I hit my partner a ball, he hits me whatever he wants, and I just try to get to the kitchen like I would in a real point. We’ll do a few reps until I feel good.

Make sure you’re not monopolizing the entire warm-up. I’ll check in with the ref—“How much time do we have?”—and then my partner gets his reps. He’ll go through mid-court, drops and drives, and get-to-the-kitchen, just like I did.

Simulate Real Match Situations

I’m not trying to hit winners here. I want to give my partner a rhythm, help him get loose again after waiting around. I’ll give him slightly easier balls so he can get a feel for it again. When he’s done with get-to-the-kitchen, we wrap up.

If you’ve only got three minutes, maybe you just do:

• 15 seconds of quick hands
• A few dinks
• A couple resets
• Some drives
• And a few “get-to-the-kitchen” points

Don’t Forget Serves and Returns

If you’ve got time left, ask the ref—“Hey, can we hit a few serves?” Get a few in. You don’t want your first serve of the match to go long or dump into the net. Do a couple of cross-court serves and returns just to feel it out.

Game Time Energy

When the ref says “Take your positions,” you come to center court with your partner, give them a chest bump and say, “Right now.” Then turn to your opponents and give them a look like, “Yeah.” (Just kidding. Don’t rip your shirt off.)

Adapt to What You Need

Condense, expand, and adapt this warm-up to what you need, so you’re ready to win. That’s the whole point.

If you want a full breakdown on how to hit a third shot drop—one of the most important shots in the game—click right here.

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