Mixed-skill groups are common in pickleball. They show up in clinics, club sessions, and open enrollment programs all the time. The challenge is not the range of ability. The challenge is keeping everyone engaged without slowing the session down or leaving someone behind.
It is not always possible to separate players by skill. Sometimes the solution is designing activities that scale naturally, so everyone is working on the same concept while being challenged at their own level.
Why Structure Matters
Without structure, mixed groups break down quickly. One player gets bored. Another feels overwhelmed. Energy drifts and learning suffers.
Good structure creates:
Shared Purpose – Everyone is working on the same tactical or technical idea.
Individual Challenge – The level of difficulty adjusts based on the player, not the drill.
Positive Group Energy – Players feel included and supported instead of compared.
When structure is clear, mixed groups stop feeling like a compromise and start feeling efficient.
How to Coach Mixed Groups
Coaching mixed-ability groups works best when you resist the urge to separate players by level. Instead, use constraints and rotations to create the right challenge for everyone. Let the environment do the work for you.
Same Drill, Different Focus
Run one activity, but assign different intentions. Beginners focus on consistency, margin, and court position. More advanced players focus on precision, decision-making, or shot selection. The drill stays the same, but what “success” looks like changes from player to player.
Why Rotations Matter
Rotating players is essential in mixed groups. It prevents one side from dominating, keeps energy high, and exposes players to different speeds, styles, and problems to solve. Rotations also stop stronger players from falling into autopilot and give developing players more varied looks and opportunities to compete.
Rotations Through Scoring, Not Separation
Change how points are earned rather than changing the activity itself. One group earns points for keeping the rally neutral and unforced. Another earns points for creating an advantage through placement or pressure. Everyone plays together, but success is defined differently.
When you rotate players and adjust constraints, the group stays unified, learning stays individualized, and the session feels purposeful for everyone on the court.
Final Thoughts
You do not need multiple drills to coach multiple skill levels. You need one well-designed drill with clear purpose and flexible constraints.
When done well, mixed-skill sessions become some of the most dynamic environments to coach in. One activity, one concept, appropriate challenge for all players.