How to improve in pickleball and stop plateauing

If you’ve been trying to figure out how to improve in pickleball, you’ve probably seen the usual advice: play more games, watch videos, buy a better paddle, or just keep showing up.

Some of that can help, but most recreational players need more. If you want to take your improvement to the next level, keep reading.

The real reason many players stay stuck is simple: they spend too much time playing and not enough time practicing with purpose. Games reveal problems, but they rarely fix them. If you want to improve consistently, you need a different approach—one that includes repetition, feedback, and structure.

Let’s break down why players get stuck and what actually leads to real progress.

Why most recreational players don’t improve

A common belief is that improvement comes naturally with more play.

Players show up to open play, rotate through matches, and get plenty of court time each week. On the surface, it feels productive.

But over time, the same issues keep showing up:

• Dinks that pop up too high
• Volleys that pop up under pressure
• Difficulty resetting balls in the transition zone
• Late or rushed decisions at the kitchen line
• Inconsistent movement and positioning

The problem is not effort. It’s the type of practice.

Games are designed for competition, not skill development. When the point starts, players focus on winning—not on refining technique or repeating a specific movement.

Under pressure, most people fall back on what feels natural. Without structured repetition, those habits don’t change.

The real truth about how to improve in pickleball

Improvement comes from three things working together: repetition, guidance, and feedback.

Repetition

You need enough quality reps to build consistency. Hitting a shot a few times during a game is not enough to create lasting change.

Guidance

It’s not just about working hard. You need to know what to work on. Many players spend time reinforcing the bad habits simply because they don’t know what to adjust.

Feedback

Without feedback, it’s easy to repeat the same mistakes for a long time. Feedback can come from a coach, video, or eventually, your own ability to recognize what’s happening.

Why playing more games isn’t the answer

Games still matter. They help you apply skills under pressure and make decisions in real time.

But they have clear limitations:

• You might only hit a handful of reps for a specific shot
• Points often end before you can work on a pattern
• You naturally avoid shots you’re uncomfortable with
• There’s no time to isolate mechanics

If your forehand drive is inconsistent, playing more games usually just means repeating the same mistakes.

For most players trying to improve, the recommended breakdown is:

• 75% of the time should be spent drilling
• 25% playing games

You don’t need that ratio forever, but it’s often the fastest way to break through a plateau.

What good drilling looks like

Drilling is only effective if it has structure. Simply hitting balls back and forth without a goal doesn’t lead to much improvement.

Good drills include:

• One clear focus
• Enough repetitions to build consistency
• A controlled pace
• Some form of feedback
• A measurable goal

For example, instead of casually dinking, you spend 30 min on one specific pattern:

Crosscourt backhand dinks

During that time, your focus could be:

• Getting balanced before contact
• Making contact in front of the body
• Controlling paddle angle
• Controlling a linear swing speed—no sudden accelerations.

That level of focus is what builds real consistency.

The hidden challenge: finding a strong practice partner

Another reason players struggle to improve is that they can’t find a high-level drilling partner.

To get good reps, you need a partner who can:

• Keep the ball in play consistently
• Place shots accurately
• Control pace
• Stay focused on the drill

In many cases, that means playing with someone at a higher level; 4.0 and above.

But stronger players often prefer competitive games or training at their own level, which makes it harder to find consistent drilling partners.

That leaves many rec players practicing with partners who are inconsistent and at their level, which reduces the quality and volume of reps.

Your best options for improving

If you’re serious about getting better, here are a few practical options.

1. Find a consistent drill partner

Ideally, someone slightly stronger or at least very consistent. Even if they’re not advanced, consistency matters more than level.

2. Use a ball machine

A ball machine can create consistent repetitions without needing another person.

It’s useful for:

• Groundstrokes
• Transition resets
• Footwork patterns
• Volley repetitions

The downside is cost, but for motivated players, it can be a strong investment. I recommend the Hydrogen Sports Electron. It’s very portable and not the most expensive machine.

3. Use a wall

Wall work can help with:

• Hand speed
• Volley reactions
• Paddle control

However, many players below 3.5 may not yet have enough control to make wall sessions highly productive for all skills. The wall becomes pointless if you have to chase more balls than you hit.

4. Work with a coach

A good coach can significantly shorten the learning curve.

Private lessons can help you:

• Fix mechanics earlier
• Identify priorities
• Learn efficient drills
• Avoid ingraining bad habits

For players who value faster progress, this is often the most direct route. Once you have enough lessons to understand and internalize the mechanics, you will start to be able to self-diagnose your swings.

Why lessons matter more than many players realize

Some players hesitate to take lessons because they think they should figure things out on their own.

But lessons are not just about instruction; they build understanding.

Once you internalize better mechanics and concepts, you can start to self-correct during play. That means you rely less on constant coaching and become more efficient on your own. At this point, hitting with a drill partner will be effective.

If you want real-time, personalized feedback, pickleball lessons are designed to help players improve faster through clear technical guidance and practical on-court application.

A realistic weekly practice plan

You do not need a professional schedule to improve.

For most recreational players:

Minimum Effective Dose

• 30 minutes per week on one skill

Better Option

• 1 hour per week on two skills

Examples:

• 30 min backhand dinks + 30 min volley resets
• 30 min forehand volleys + 30 min forehand drives
• 30 min forehand slice third shot drops + 30 min forehand counter volleys

Consistency over time matters more than occasional long sessions.

Why structure makes a difference

One of the biggest reasons players plateau is a lack of direction. They jump between tips, drills, and advice without a clear plan.

Having a structured progression removes that confusion. When you know exactly what to work on and in what order, you improve faster and with less frustration.

This is why I’ve built a Skill Progression system that contains progression roadmaps for each level. It shows you which skills you need to practice at each level and includes a drill library to improve them. Sometimes the biggest win is simply removing confusion.

Once you’ve mastered the skills at a particular level, you’ll be able to see the skills you need to focus on next, in order to play at the next level.

This system is part of my Skool community, built to provide ongoing support, accountability, and structured coaching guidance for players who are serious about improving.

The secret to improving in pickleball without overcomplicating it

If you keep it simple, improvement comes down to this:

• Work on one skill at a time
• Get enough repetitions
• Use feedback to adjust
• Apply it in games
• Repeat

If it’s not working in games, go back to drilling. That cycle is what leads to real progress.

Conclusion: How to improve in pickleball the right way

Improving in pickleball is not complicated, but it does require intentional effort.

Most players stay at the same level because they rely too heavily on games and don’t spend enough time building skills.

You don’t need to train like a pro. But if you want meaningful progress, treat improvement as a skill-building process rather than hoping games alone will solve it.

That’s when your level starts to change.