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The Importance of Skill Development in Pickleball: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Players
As you progress in pickleball, the skills you need to focus on evolve. Each level requires a different approach—from mastering the basics to refining strategy and mental toughness. Here’s a breakdown of the importance of skills at each stage:
Top Five Skills Every Beginner Pickleball Player Should Practice
If you’re new to pickleball, mastering these fundamental skills will help you improve quickly, gain confidence, and enjoy the game even more
Consistent & Controlled Serve
Your serve is how every point starts, so make it count!
✅ Practice serving deep to keep opponents at the baseline.
✅ Focus on placement over power—aim for consistency first.
✅ Try serving to your opponent’s backhand to gain an advantage.
Return of the Server Placement
A strong return sets you up for success!
✅ Hit the return deep to keep your opponent back.
✅ Use a high, controlled shot to give yourself time to move up to the NVZ (kitchen).
✅ Work on returning cross-court for better angles
Moving to the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ)
The team that controls the NVZ usually wins the point!
✅ Get to the kitchen line quickly and with control after the return of serve.
✅ Stay in an athletic stance with your paddle ready.
✅ Move with your partner to avoid leaving gaps.
Dinking – Mastering Soft Shots
The dink shot is key to controlling the pace of the game.
✅ Keep your dinks low and unattackable.
✅ Use soft hands and keep your wrist relaxed.
✅ Aim for your opponent’s backhand to force weaker returns.
The Third Shot Drop
The most important shot in pickleball!
✅ Aim to land the ball softly in the opponent’s kitchen.
✅ Use a smooth, controlled swing, not too much power.
✅ Work on hitting the shot high enough to clear the net but low enough to stay unattackable
Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to refine your technique, improve consistency, and develop winning strategies to take your game to the next level. Here are the top five skills developing players should focus on!
Top Five Skills For Developing Pickleball Players to Practice
For players rated 2.75 to 3.25—often referred to as developing players—the focus should shift from simply learning the game to building consistency, control, and smart shot selection.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to refine your technique, improve consistency, and develop winning strategies to take your game to the next level. Here are the top five skills developing players should focus on!
Dinking with Purpose
Dinking isn’t just about keeping the ball in play—it’s about setting up the point.
Try different dink depths and angles to move your opponent. Target your opponent’s backhand for weaker returns. Recognize when to speed up the point and attack off a high dink
The Third Shot Drop
It allows you to transition from defense to offense and avoid giving your opponent a high ball to attack.
Use a smooth shoulder swing, like a long dink. Aim for a soft drop into the kitchen, targeting your opponent’s backhand. Drop Feed Drill – Stand at the baseline and drop-feed yourself balls. Aim to land each shot softly in the kitchen across the net. Partner Drop Drill – Have a partner at the net. Practice hitting drop shots while they catch or lightly volley the ball back.
Consistent and Deep Serves & Returns
Serve and return depth is key to controlling the pace early in the rally.
Deep serves pin your opponent back, and deep returns give you time to approach the net. Cone Target Drill – Place cones near the baseline and practice hitting serves and returns that land deep in the court. Track consistency by aiming for 8 out of 10 balls to land within 2 feet of the baseline.
Volley Control and Ready Position
Players at this level often get caught flat-footed or swing too big at the net.
Good volley form helps you win fast hands battles and block attacks. Wall Volley Drill – Stand a few feet from a wall and volley back and forth using compact movements. Partner Fast Hands Drill – At the NVZ, exchange fast volleys with a partner, focusing on keeping your paddle up and in front.
Smart Court Positioning & Movement
Learning to move with your partner, cover the court, and avoid leaving gaps is critical.
Strong positioning helps you defend more easily and take advantage of openings. Shadow Movement Drill – Practice moving laterally and forward/backward with an imaginary partner or coach calling directions. Kitchen Line Movement Drill – Stand at the NVZ with your partner and practice sliding side to side in sync, covering wide balls and switching on lobs.
The difference between a beginning and a developing player is consistency, patience, and strategic thinking. Keep refining these skills, and you’ll quickly level up your game!
Top Five Skills Intermediate Pickleball Players Should Practice
At the intermediate level, it’s all about developing your strategy, increasing consistency, and mastering shot execution. If you want to compete at a higher level, these five skills are essential for dominating the court!
Third Shot Strategy – Drop, Drive, or Lob?
At this level, mixing up your third shot keeps your opponents guessing.
✅ Master the third shot drop so you can place it precisely in the kitchen.
✅ Use third shot drives strategically to set up a fifth-shot advantage
✅ Recognize when a third shot lob can push opponents back and create an opening.
Speed-Up & Counterattack at the Net
The ability to initiate and react to fast-paced hands battles is a game-changer.
✅ Learn to attack at the right moment—off a high dink or weak return.
✅ Work on fast reflex volleys to counter speed-ups and reset points.
✅ Develop a disguised attack by using different angles and speeds
Mastering the Erne & Around-the-Post (ATP) Shots
These techniques turn defense into offense and add a dangerous weapon to your game.
✅ Recognize when to execute an Erne—jumping outside the NVZ for an attack.
✅ Develop precision for Around-the-Post (ATP) shots when your opponent pushes you wide.
✅ Use the Erne and ATP to put immediate pressure on your opponent
Defensive Resets & Midcourt Transitions)
The best players know how to turn defense into offense with controlled resets.
✅ Use soft hands to reset the ball when under attack.
✅ Stay balanced in the transition zone (midcourt) instead of rushing to the net.
✅ Keep the ball low and neutralize aggressive opponents with a controlled block.
Dinking Strategy – Outlast & Outmaneuver
The best players know how to turn defense into offense with controlled resets.
✅ Use soft hands to reset the ball when under attack.
✅ Stay balanced in the transition zone (midcourt) instead of rushing to the net.
✅ Keep the ball low and neutralize aggressive opponents with a controlled block.
Final Takeaway: Keep Practicing & Keep Learning!
Every great pickleball player goes through these stages—from beginner to developing, to advanced. The key to improvement is consistent practice, smart play, and adapting to higher levels of competition.
No matter where you are in your journey, keep training, stay patient, and have fun improving!
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