This is EXACTLY How I Became a 5.5 DUPR in 3 Months

  

How to Improve Your Pickleball Game Dramatically in One Month Tanner Tomassi's Proven Drilling Routine

In this comprehensive guide, professional pickleball player Tanner Tomassi shares the exact drilling routine he uses to quickly improve players' games. Tomassi explains how he went from a 4.5 level player to a 5.5 level player and qualified for the main draw of a professional tournament in just three months. By dedicating 90 minutes a day, 5 days a week to these highly effective drills, Tomassi says any player can transform their game within one month.

1. 0:00 Intro Tomassi provides background on his rapid improvement over three months after moving to Delray Beach, Florida. As a 4.5 level player, he began following this daily 1.5 hour drilling routine and progressed to a 5.5 level player who qualified for the main draw of a Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) tournament. He attributes his success directly to these drills that he will now demonstrate.

2. 0:31 The Dink Game The first essential drill is the dink game played on half a pickleball court. Players rally back and forth, only hitting dinks within the kitchen area. They play up to 20 points, winning by 2. The key is keeping dinks low and developing quick hands and reflexes to counter attack. This game greatly enhances dinking skills and hand speed critical for higher level play.

3. 1:34 Cross Court Dinking The second drill focuses on cross court dinking accuracy. Players again only hit dinks, this time cross court instead of straight ahead. They play games to 5 points, but with a twist - whenever a dink lands in the net, that player's score resets to 0. This scoring system creates tension and pressure, simulating actual game play. Controlling nerves while accurately placing cross court dinks develops an essential pickleball weapon.

4. 3:28 3rd Shot Drops Tomassi has one player start at the baseline and the other at the non-volley zone line (NVZ). The baseline player feeds balls to the NVZ player, who hits a variety of third shot drops. After approximately 15 minutes, players switch positions. This develops consistency executing different drop shots off third shot feeds. It also lets the baseline player practice aggressively attacking shorter fourth shots.

5. 3:52 4th Shot Practice Building on the previous drill, players focus specifically on fourth shot aggressiveness. The NVZ player feeds balls to the baseline player, who tries to attack every return out of the air before bounce. This could mean swinging volleys, drive volleys, or put away groundstrokes. The key is attempting to end points quickly whenever possible off weaker third shot drops.

6. 4:44 Reset Practice Resetting an opponent's offensive shot back into the NVZ area allows players to regain control of a point. From around the middle of the court, one player hits aggressive groundstrokes and volleys, while the other concentrates entirely on redirecting shots softly back into the NVZ. After resetting, players continue the point. This develops confidence resetting balls and extending rallies.

7. 5:36 Cat n Mouse Singles Drill This creative singles game improves agility and finesse. One player feeds balls into the NVZ area. The players can strike balls anywhere around the kitchen, emphasizing touch and placement. They play games to 11, winning by 2. Restricting players to the NVZ challenges them to master quick lateral movements and soft shots frequently required near the net.

8. 6:53 3rd Shot Drops on the Run Singles Drill Often singles players reflexively crush returns, but mixing in off pace drop shots is essential. The baseline player hits sharp cross court shots, attempting to move their opponent side to side. However, the baseline player can only hit third shot drop shots into the NVZ. Their opponent remains at the NVZ line, focused on directing balls into opposite corners - not on hitting winners. This lets the baseline player practice placing running drop shots.

9. 7:50 Outro Tomassi closes by promising that dedicating 90 minutes a day, 5 days weekly to these drills will lead to immense skill improvements within one month. By isolating different facets of the game with specialized drills, and emphasizing competition under pressure, players can expect their overall game to rapidly transform. Tomassi's own personal experience proves the effectiveness of concentrated deliberate drilling practice.

YouTube Time Code List

1. 0:00 Intro
2. 0:31 The Dink Game
3. 1:34 Cross Court Dinking
4. 3:28 3rd Shot Drops
5. 3:52 4th Shot Practice
6. 4:44 Reset Practice
7. 5:36 Cat n Mouse Singles Drill
8. 6:53 3rd Shot Drops on the Run Singles Drill
9. 7:50 Outro

How to Improve Your Pickleball Game Dramatically in One Month Quiz

1. What was Tanner Tomassi's pickleball skill level before moving to Delray Beach?

a) 4.0 b) 4.5 c) 5.0 d) 5.5

2. How long did it take Tomassi to improve from a 4.5 level to qualifying for a professional tournament?

a) 1 week b) 1 month c) 3 months d) 6 months

3. What is the duration of Tomassi's daily drilling routine?

a) 30 minutes b) 45 minutes c) 60 minutes d) 90 minutes

4. What scoring system does Tomassi recommend for the cross court dinking drill?

a) Play to 11 b) Play to 15 c) Play to 20 d) Unique resetting score to 5

5. What shot does Tomassi focus on in the 3rd shot drop drill?

a) Groundstrokes b) Lobs c) Overheads d) Drop shots

6. What is Tomassi's goal when his partner hits 3rd shot drops in the 4th shot practice drill?

a) Keep balls in play b) Attack aggressively c) Reset balls to kitchen d) Move opponent side-to-side

7. What is the purpose of the reset practice drill?

a) Improve footwork b) Work on dinking c) Practice drop shots d) Regain control of points

8. What pickleball format does the cat and mouse drill prepare players for?

a) Doubles b) Mixed doubles c) Wheelchair d) Singles

9. What shot can the baseline player only hit in the 3rd shot drops on the run drill?

a) Lobs b) Smash returns c) Third shot drops d) Groundstrokes

10. How often does Tomassi recommend doing these drills to transform your game?

a) 3 days a week b) 4 days a week c) 5 days a week d) 6 days a week

11. What skill does the dink game drill focus on developing?

a) Serving b) Volleying c) Quick hands d) Overheads

12. Why is the cross court dinking drill important?

a) Works endurance b) Focuses on form c) Practices common pattern d) Develops power

13. What does the 3rd shot drop drill let players work on?

a) Lobs b) Consistency c) Net play d) Serving

14. How does the reset practice drill help players?

a) With dinking b) Smashing c) Extending points d) Volleying

15. What main benefit does Tomassi say players gain from his drills?

a) Better strategy b) Faster footwork c) More power d) Game transformation

Answer Key:

1. b
2. c
3. d
4. d
5. d
6. b
7. d
8. d
9. c
10. c
11. c
12. c
13. b
14. c
15. d