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Should you play or practice?
Paul from Pickleball Daily
December 31, 2025
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Tip of the day
Determining the right balance between drilling and playing depends on your experience level and how quickly you want to improve.
New players who have been playing for less than three months should focus entirely on playing games to learn basic rules and strategy.
Once you understand the game, drilling becomes essential because it allows you to get many more repetitions in a short amount of time.
Practicing a specific skill for just five minutes a day can provide over eight times the repetitions you would get from hours of regular play.
However, simple repetition is not enough; you must practice with clear intent and seek feedback through video or coaching to avoid reinforcing bad habits.
Drills are designed to teach your body the mechanics of a shot, while games teach your brain when to actually use those skills under pressure.
It is normal for new skills to fail during match play, so you should give yourself grace as you transition from practice to competitive games.
The exact ratio of drilling to playing is less important than the focus and intention you bring to every session on the court.
Key Points:
Spend your first three months just playing to understand the flow and rules of the game.
Use short, daily drilling sessions to get thousands of extra repetitions each year.
Practice with specific intent and use video feedback to ensure your technique is correct.
Understand that drills build physical skills while real games teach strategic decision-making.
Arrive at the courts early to spend fifteen minutes isolating one skill before starting recreational play.
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That’s it for today! As always, thank you for reading. 🙏
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Happy pickling,
Paul