If you are well into your pickleball journey, you may be wondering if you are still an intermediate-level pickleball player or if you have graduated to an advanced level. There is no one definition of what an advanced pickleball player is, but here are some tips to help you determine your pickleball level.
Advanced-level pickleball player (3.9 and above)
An advanced pickleball player is going to be anywhere from 3.9 and above. An intermediate player will be a 3.5 to 3.9. How to know if you are an intermediate pickleball player.
Advanced pickleball skills
At the advanced level, at minimum, you should have the following skills:
- You can hit your forehand with depth and control consistently.
- You are perfecting your shot selection and timing.
- You can hit your backhand consistently and are continually improving your backhand movements.
- You can hit your serve consistently and can mix it up with different depths and speeds.
- You can hit your return of serve consistently, with controlled placement and speed.
- You are consistent with your dinks, including being able to control the height and depth.
- You understand the difference between an attackable ball and one that is not.
- You can control your third shot and decide, in the moment, whether a drop or drive is appropriate.
- You can volley different shots at many different speeds with consistency and control.
- You are beginning to integrate the block/reset volley into your game more and more.
Advanced pickleball strategy
Strategy is where advanced players separate themselves from intermediate players. Some strategy you should understand as an advanced pickleball player are:
- You have a good knowledge of all the rules of pickleball and can refer to them when any situation arises.
- You should always be aware of your partner’s position on the pickleball court.
- You and your partner should be able to move as a team.
- You are able to change directions easily.
- You have few unforced errors every game.
- You understand when and why stacking is important.
- You know how to spot your opponent’s weaknesses, and how to use those weaknesses for your game plan.
- You are no longer satisfied with beginner and intermediate games, and are continually looking to improve your skills.
How to improve your pickleball skills
Everyone who plays pickleball starts in the same place: as a 2.0-2.5 beginner player. Every player improves their skills at a different pace, but those improvements are never by accident. There are many things that can affect how quickly you improve, including:
- How often you play.
- How often you drill.
- Your hand-eye coordination.
- Your sports background.
- Your athletic shape.
- How dedicated you are to learning the rules of pickleball.
- The other players you are playing with and competing against.
- Your age.
- And so much more.
Advanced vs. pro pickleball players
When you first start playing pickleball, the differences between an advanced and pro player seem negligible. But the closer you get to being advanced, the more you will realize there are vast differences between them.
Learn more about the differences between a 4.0 and 5.0 pickleball player.
Moving up
Becoming an advanced pickleball player does not happen without a lot of work, and it definitely doesn’t happen overnight. Most pickleball players don’t ever make it to this level, but those who do are the ones who are constantly seeking out more games and also drilling on their own between games.