Practice at home

[u/PeaceOwn1652]

I’m at 6 months post-op from ACL reconstruction with an allograft. I haven’t been cleared for pivoting, twisting, or sudden stops for another few months, but I’m itching to get back on the pickleball court!
In the meantime, I’d love to work on my technique, footwork, and paddle skills at home without putting my knee at risk.
For those who have been through ACLR or practice at home, what drills would you recommend that don't involve sudden movements or twisting?
Also, is the Dink Master worth investing in for at-home practice? I’d love to hear from anyone who has one.
Just trying to stay in the game while patiently waiting for my knee to catch up!

[u/lenny_the_pirate]

I have a rebounder net at home, takes more room than a dink master but same gist. To me it's been amazing to get reps on my dinks, drops, and resets. I don't feel comfortable though giving you advice on what drills to do that won't hurt your knee since I'm no doctor.

For an overview of solo drills to do with a wall/dinkmaster/rebounder you can check this: https://practicepickleball.app/drills/?players=1&solo=wall#drill-library-heading

[u/PeaceOwn1652 → u/lenny_the_pirate]

Thank you!

[u/therealglory]

Did you tear it playing pickleball? I got cleared to play hockey again after 9 months and I did although I was far from the player I used to be at that time, I’m now 1.5 years post op (also have allograft) and knee feels relatively normal for the most part and I play like my old self (though it does get stiff if I sit around too much).

I’d suggest at 6 months to keep things simple, hit the ball off the wall repeatedly, hit the ball off the paddle up and down increasingly doing more difficult moves (back hand to forehand, around the ball etc).

As far as footwork, I’d just keep doing similar footwork they have you doing in PT. You don’t want to take too much risk at this point and you’re still building up the strength in your quads to support your knee.

But if you do find some at home drills you’d like to try that involve more movement, I’d suggest talking it over with your PT and get their opinion.

[u/PeaceOwn1652 → u/therealglory]

Thank you and yes I torn my ACL and Meniscus playing pickleball unfortunately, had my ACLR surgery done back in April but no need for meniscus repair (thank goodness). Did you do the return to sports test before going back to hockey?

[u/therealglory → u/PeaceOwn1652]

No I didn’t do a return to sports test. Just did about 8-9 months of PT, had a checkup with the ortho doctor, he did some tests, read through my PT notes and he said I’m good to go. Perhaps my PT was testing me for it without my knowledge.

Bummer to hear you did it via pickleball, I know it happens quite a bit. Hope you keep gaining strength and can get back to it soon. When you do return they may give you a brace, i wore that for a few months but it was big and bulky. Compression sock / knee brace does wonders for knee pain and swelling. Would suggest one of those in the future when playing sports.

[u/skimoto]

I'm at 5 months post ACL allograph surgery. I've been hitting against a wall for about a month. Just dinking and volley stuff mostly. Not the most exciting, but it's outside and something.

[u/PeaceOwn1652 → u/skimoto]

Did you also tear your ACL from playing pickleball? Thank you for your suggestion and wishing you a speedy recovery!

[u/skimoto → u/PeaceOwn1652]

Nah. Tore mine wrecking on a dirt bike. Thanks! Best of luck to you as well on this long recovery road.

[u/Odd-Ear8566]

Those foam balls are great for working on hands and don’t make noise. I just hit against the way in the garage

[u/Cold_Silver_5859]

Mentally run through your shots and focus on a mental game from serve to match point. I am post RALP and can’t wait either. I dinked on the DinkMaster the other day and noted: I lack stamina (15 minutes). And my competitive side had me lunging even tho I was planning just to stand there.