If you play doubles regularly, you’ve probably had this experience: you miss a volley, dump a ball into the net, or pop one up under pressure and immediately think, I need to work on my technique. More often than not, the real problem started earlier with your decision on where to move.
In pickleball doubles, most errors aren’t caused by bad strokes. They’re caused by poor positioning. When you’re out of position, even simple shots feel rushed and uncomfortable. When you’re in the right spot, the game suddenly feels slower and easier.
If you are competing at 5.5, you are already among the best players most people will ever face. The jump to 6.0 is not about being better at pickleball in the traditional sense. It is about becoming harder to beat. Fewer mistakes. Fewer openings. Fewer emotional swings. Skill is assumed. What separates players is how little they give away and how consistently they impose their game.
If you’re playing at a true 5.0 level, you already know this truth: the jump to 5.5 is not about adding shots. It’s about eliminating weaknesses and tightening margins everywhere. Everyone is skilled. Everyone can hit pace. Everyone understands the game.
You’ve put in the hours. You’re fast, consistent, and mentally tough. You know how to drop, dink, reset, and finish—and you can do it under pressure. Now, if you want to hit that 5.0 benchmark, it’s not about learning new shots. It’s about sharpening every part of your game until it holds up against the very best. At this level, tiny differences in execution separate good from great.
At 4.0, you’ve already got a strong foundation—solid technique, smart tactics, and reliable teamwork. But moving to 4.5 means stepping into a higher gear. This is where pickleball becomes more physical, more mental, and much more detail-oriented. Every decision counts. Every ball matters. You’re no longer just playing well—you’re expected to be clean, sharp, and efficient.
You’ve got solid mechanics. You’re comfortable dinking, dropping, attacking, and defending. Now, it’s time to elevate your shot selection, reduce mistakes, and apply pressure with purpose. Moving from 3.5 to 4.0 is about playing smarter, cleaner, and more deliberately—every single point. At this stage, your tools are built. Now it’s about how you use them.
You’ve got the basics down. You can rally, dink, serve, and return with control. Now it’s time to level up your decision-making, shot variety, and movement. Moving from 3.0 to 3.5 is a shift from playing the game to playing it well.
At this level, small improvements make a big difference—and they start with awareness and intention.
You’re learning the game, having fun, and starting to see how pickleball works. At the 2.0 level, you're likely still figuring out basic rules, how to move on the court, and how to hit the ball consistently. Moving up to 2.5 means you’re starting to rally, serve with purpose, and play actual games—without just hoping for a lucky bounce.
This is the level where everything begins to click.
You’re dinking, waiting, watching… and then boom! Your opponent speeds it up right at you. If you’re not ready, the point’s over in a flash. However, if you can anticipate, read the play, stay calm, and counter with control, the rally shifts quickly in your favor.
Learning to handle and respond to speed-ups is one of the key skills that separates intermediate players from advanced ones. It’s not just about quick reflexes. It’s about knowing what to expect, what to look for, and what to do next.
Pickleball is fast. It’s easy to get lost in the points and hit the ball wherever it’s easiest. However, if you want to improve and win more points, you need to move beyond reacting or just getting the ball over the net. Every shot you hit should serve a purpose. That’s the difference between just playing… and playing well.
In pickleball coaching, one of the most effective ways to help players improve isn’t adding more drills or fancy equipment—it’s simply letting them know what they’re working on and what success looks like. When players understand the goal of the session, they focus better, stay more engaged, and make faster progress.
Defence is just as important as offence. Knowing how to handle an aggressive opponent can change the direction of a match. When you’re under pressure, giving yourself more time can help you reset and get back into position. Remember, hitting the ball slower with more shape can provide more time in comparison to hitting the ball faster and straight, which can take away time. A soft reset shot is one of the best ways to regain control and break their momentum. By taking the pace off the ball and dropping it into the non-volley zone, you force your opponent to move from attacking to dinking, giving yourself time to recover.
Every shot in pickleball starts from the ground up. Whether you're at the baseline or up at the kitchen line, your movement sets the stage for your shot. Footwork isn't just about hustling, it's about purpose, timing, and putting yourself in the best position to succeed.
When you’re playing up at the net, every moment counts. Whether you’re trying to finish the point or just stay in the rally, your volleying skills can make the difference between winning and scrambling. It’s fast, it’s close, and it’s all about control.
You’ve served. Your opponents return the ball deep. Now it’s your move—and this next shot may just decide how the rally plays out. It’s the third shot, and whether you choose to drop it softly or drive it with power, one thing’s for sure: this shot is your first real opportunity to take control of the point.
In a sport where fast hands and hard hits often get the spotlight, it is easy to think that power is the path to victory. However, ask any experienced player, and they will tell you it is the combination of hard hits and soft shots—drops and dinks— that separates good players from great ones.
In pickleball, a strong serve and return are essential for controlling the flow of the rally right from the start. The serve is your first opportunity to set the tone for the point, and a strategic return can give you the upper hand. As pickleball paddle technology progresses, players can hit stronger, faster and more aggressive serves while maintaining control, which means they are starting off the point with a bang. By not taking advantage of your serve, you start off the point at a disadvantage by letting your opponents get a free ride to the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ). Here’s how to master both and give yourself the best chance of success.
Great doubles teams don’t just hit great shots—they work together seamlessly. The best partners move as a unit, communicate effectively, and cover the court strategically. When you and your partner are in sync, you force your opponents into challenging situations while setting yourselves up for success.
Pro pickleball players don’t just hit great shots—they keep their opponents guessing. One of the most effective ways to do this is through deception, and the key to deception is consistency in your setup and impact point. When your preparation looks the same for multiple shots, you force your opponent to react late, giving you the advantage.
At the end of the day, aren’t we all just trying to put the pickleball exactly where we want? But if you are like us, it is rare for that to happen. The good news is, if the ball doesn’t end up going right where you want there is a simple problem-solving approach – think PAS.
