This engaging team pickleball drill combines serving practice with the strategy of Tic-Tac-Toe, creating a fun and competitive atmosphere.

Setup:

Divide players into two teams of three, lining up in a single file at the baseline.
One team serves to the even side of the court, and the other serves to the odd side.
Place a Tic-Tac-Toe grid (drawn or taped) near the baseline for both teams to use during the game.

How to Play:

1. Serving and Qualification:

• Players take turns serving to their designated side.
• To earn a move in the Tic-Tac-Toe game, the serve must land in the correct service box, and the ball’s second bounce must be outside the court boundaries (no soft or short serves).

2. Tic-Tac-Toe Rules:

• If a serve qualifies, the player runs to the Tic-Tac-Toe grid and places their team’s marker (X or O) in one spot.
• The first team to get three in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) wins the round.

3. Game Flow:

• Rotate through the line so all players have equal opportunities to serve and participate in the Tic-Tac-Toe strategy.

Why It’s Effective:

• The pickleball drill adds an element of pressure, as players need accurate serves to contribute to their team’s Tic-Tac-Toe strategy.
• It keeps the practice lively and engaging while improving serve consistency and focus.

Variation:
To increase difficulty, divide the service boxes into smaller target zones. Serves must land within these zones to qualify for a Tic-Tac-Toe move.