Defending against an overhead smash isn't about hitting a perfect shot right away. It's an exercise in persistence and endurance. You just need to survive long enough to find the right opportunity to turn the tides back in your favor.

To help you get the hang of it, here's a drill that can transform you from a sitting duck into a defensive wall. It's called the Survivor Drill, and Selkirk TV's Mark Price is here to break down exactly how to use it.

How to Play

Many of the most effective pickleball drills are the simplest, and this one is no exception.

Here's how to run it:

• One player is at the kitchen line, hitting aggressive overhead smashes or speed-ups at every opportunity
• The other is behind the baseline, working to put the ball back in play as much as possible
• The point is live; the goal is to win the point, by any means possible

There's one critical caveat: The offensive player cannot hit angled shots out wide, but rather must keep all attacks within the baseline and centerline of the opposing player's respective side.

The Art of Blocking High

When the smash comes toward the baseline, your defense should be under the ball, blocking high. You're not trying to be a hero with a perfect drop-shot here; you're putting the ball up high to force another smash and live to tell about it.

"I'm trying to frustrate him and cause him to over hit, hit it out," Price says.

This is cooperative drilling at its finest. Your partner works on their smashing technique and power. You work on defensive positioning and high blocks. Both players benefit, and nobody's ego gets bruised because you're not keeping score.

If your opponent smashes shallow, the ball bounces high, giving you an opportunity to slap it back with more pace. But the key remains the same: keep them hitting smashes until you feel a change of pace.

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Recognizing the Moment to Attack

The most common error? Players try to drop too early. They're attempting a finesse shot against the hardest shot in the game, and it rarely works out.

Price waits for specific signals before switching from defense to offense:

• The ball goes over the opponent's head, and they can't get as much power on it
• The ball sits up high and shallow, preventing a full smash
• The opponent's shot comes back softer than previous attempts

"So I'm going to keep blocking until I feel that change of pace, and then I drive or drop to work my way in," Price explains.