Consistency Drill: Soft Blocks That Guide, Then Drop Crosscourt

Summary

Cliff Pickleball works with a skilled but inconsistent junior: every hard drive gets blocked up for another smash. Fix the block first — soft hands that guide the ball, not a frozen paddle in one spot.

Loosen the wrist, place the block where they can’t attack again, often one-handed. Drill: three hard drives to block, last ball drop crosscourt, then play out. Force the skill switch (block → drop) without losing control.

Key takeaways

• Soft guided blocks beat a stiff paddle stuck in one spot
• Place the block away from their next drive
• Drill: 3 blocks → crosscourt drop → play out

Action items

• Partner feeds hard drives: guide blocks only for a full basket
• Add the 3-block → CC drop finisher and track pop-ups