Here are 10 Pickleball Training Aids Worth Your Attention

It’s a fact, Pickleball is easy to learn. Getting super good at it is another matter. Pickleball training aids are a great way to improve your skills and take your game to the next level. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned player, the right training aids can significantly boost your skills and on-court performance. Unlike pickleball ball machines that cost hundreds of dollars, the pickleball training aids covered in this post are more affordable and tailored to players of all levels. From simple targeting tools that help with accuracy to training aids that emphasize stroke refinement and consistency, this curated selection is targeted at beginner and intermediate-level pickleball players.

So, here are ten pickleball training aids and innovative tools that can potentially improve your game and maximize your on-court performance.

Disclosure: Racquet Social participates in Amazon’s affiliate advertising program and may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. The prices and ratings included in this post are subject to change over time.

TopspinPro Pickleball Training Aid

Concept: Improve topspin and racquet swing technique.

Developed initially for tennis players to practice hitting topspin, the TopspinPro has been repurposed for pickleball. The topspin is not a natural shot for pickleball players who do not have a tennis background. The TopspinPro is designed to help players develop and improve their topspin and paddle swing techniques. It features a screen panel and an attached ball to help users practice the much-touted windshield wiper motion needed for heavy topspin.

Pickleball Eye Coach

Concept: Develop stroke consistency and rhythm.

Another tool that has its origins as a tennis training aid, Billie Jean King’s Pickleball Eye Coach is a solo training device that focuses on improving essential skills such as keeping the head still, guiding the eyes’ focus, and teaching ball-striking rhythm. This training aid is aimed at helping players develop topspin strokes and consistency, making it beneficial for players looking to enhance their overall game. Check out the Pickleball Eye Coach if you are a beginner looking to learn the correct playing technique or an intermediate player aiming to elevate your game.

Brand	Product	Features	Price
	Pickleball Eye Coach		Check Price

At last check, Billie Jean King’s Pickleball Eye Coach was out of stock on Amazon. You may be able to find one at OnCourt OffCourt’s website.

Dink Pad

Concept: Enhance solo practice dinks, volleys, and accuracy.

The Dink Pad by Enhance Pickleball is a popular tool for solo practice, allowing players to work on their dinks, volleys, and accuracy without needing a practice partner. Its simple yet effective design, featuring a 3-foot wide and 4-foot tall pad with adhesive backing, helps you transform any smooth wall into a pickleball training aid. The included catalog of drills provides players with endless opportunities to improve their game and train muscle memory. If you are not excited about jumping on the treadmill in your basement, the Dink Pad may work as a pickleball training aid and fitness solution.

The Dink Master is the portable version of this training aid. You can find other manufacturers who make dink pads here.

Brand	Product	Features	Price
	Dink Pad By Enhance		$Check PriceAmazon.ca

Franklin ProShot Pickleball Launcher

Concept: Pickleball training aid for newbies, seniors, and children.

With a low 15-ball capacity and feed rate of 8-9 seconds, the Franklin ProShot Pickleball ball launcher is more suitable for seniors, children, and new players. However, compared to other pickleball machines in the market, the ProShot Pickleball Launcher is inexpensive, lightweight, compact, and portable. It can be powered with A/C wall power or through externally bought 4 D batteries, which could add ongoing costs to your pickleball training.

Brand	Product	Features	Price
	Franklin Automatic Pickleball Launcher		$218 on Amazon.comAmazon.ca

Pop-up targets for pickleball

Concept: Develop shot accuracy.

Pop-up targets are another tennis training aid that can be used to develop shot accuracy in pickleball. These targets are designed to be easily attached to tennis or pickleball nets and used during practice sessions, allowing players to focus on hitting specific areas of the court with precision. Each target measures 30″ x 36″ and is made of impact-resistant nylon and a durable metal frame, providing players with various aiming points to enhance their shot placement skills. You can check out On Court Off Court’s pop-up targets here.

Tourna Pickleball Caddy

Concept: Collect and store pickleball balls

Technically, the Tourna Pickleball Deluxe Caddy is not a training aid. It is more of a practical accessory that facilitates your training. Ideal for practice sessions and training, it is designed to pick up pickleball balls from the ground easily and has a capacity of around 45 balls. Its small wheels allow you to roll it rather than carry it from the car to the court, making transportation of pickleballs easy. The handles fold down to create legs for easy ball access during drills. The non-wire body ensures that the caddy does not rust over time.

Brand	Product	Features	Price
	Tourna Pickleball Deluxe Caddy		$42 on Amazon.comAmazon.ca

Pickleball Ball Machines

Pickleball ball machines can be incredibly useful training tools for intermediate and advanced players. However, they come at a significant cost. While it is not a substitute for working with a human coach, pickleball ball machines help you improve your game on your own. These machines allow you to practice on your schedule, reinforcing the techniques and strategies you’ve learned from your coach or through personal playing experience.

Evaluating your individual needs and preferences is imperative before delving into the pickleball ball machine brands and models. Your investment should be based on your skills, budget, and situation. Here’s a Guide to the Top Six Pickleball Ball Machine Brands.

Kill-Shot Pro

This one is new!

The Kill-Shot Pro pickleball training system is a unique tool that leverages technology to enhance your performance. Its smart paddle features integrated sensors, providing audio and visual feedback to analyze your shots in real time. This system is designed to improve two critical aspects of the game: hand-eye coordination and sweet-spot accuracy. With built-in data storage, effortlessly track your progress with a simple series of taps on the paddle. The Kill-Shot Pro’s specifications (weight: 9.2oz; length: 15-1/2”; thickness: 10mm; handle: 4-1/4″) match those of heavier performance paddles, ensuring easy adaptability into game situations. Unlike smart tennis racquets, the Kill-Shot Pro does not currently offer an external app for the training system.

Brand	Product	Features	Price
	Kill-Shot Pro Pickleball Training System	Gives players real-time audio, visual, and statistical feedback Fully integrated product – sensors, LEDs, and controller  Statistics are stored to help you track your progress.	Check Price

Gamma Flexible Disc Cones

Concept: Court markers for targeted dinks, shots, and training drills.

Court markers are great for honing targeted shots such as cross-court dinks, drives, and serves. Also used for agility training, these colorful and flexible cones are made of non-slip rubberized material. They are light and flexible and can be used on indoor or outdoor courts, making them a practical and multi-functional training aid for coaches and players across different sports. You can pick up Gamma Disc Cones here.

Pickleball Lead tape

Concept: Tweak the weight distribution of your paddle.

Lead tape can be used to tweak a pickleball paddle’s weight distribution and balance, allowing players to customize their equipment to suit their playing style and needs. Sold by pickleball paddle manufacturers and sports accessory stores, the lead tape strips are precision cut and feature a high-strength adhesive to ensure they stay intact during play. Players can enhance power, stability, and control by adding lead tape to specific areas of the paddle, ultimately tailoring the paddle to their playing style. Lead tape is legal for tournament play and is a common practice among professional and advanced-level players to fine-tune their equipment. You can choose the lead tape of your liking here.

Training aids are no substitute for in-person coaching sessions from qualified trainers. Pickleball training aids help you augment the learnings you receive from coaches and experienced peers. Repetition is vital to improving your playing technique and enhancing accuracy and consistency. These training aids are substantially less expensive than pickleball ball machines and help you practice independently and repeat stroke routines to improve specific areas of your game.

If you do decide to get one, enjoy your training!

Please share your experiences in the comments below, if you have used any of these pickleball training aids. Also, are there other training aids we missed? Let us know.