If you want to take your game to the next level and compete with more advanced players, you need to understand what it means to be a 4.0 pickleball player.

A 4.0 pickleball player is someone who has mastered the basic skills of the Pickleball game and can execute them consistently and effectively in various situations. A 4.0 player can also apply strategy and tactics to gain an advantage over the opponent shots and can adapt to different styles of play. A 4.0 player is not only proficient in the technical aspects of the game, but also in the mental and physical aspects.

What is a 4.0 Pickleball Player

In this article, we will explain what a 4.0 pickleball player is, how to determine your pickleball skill level, and how to improve your skills and strategies to become a 4.0 player. We will also share some tips and drills from pro players and coaches that will help you achieve your pickleball goals.

Defining the 4.0 Skill Level

According to the USA Pickleball Player Skill Ratings, a 4.0 pickleball player should possess the following skills:

4.0 Level Skills:

• Consistently hits forehand shots and backhand role Shots with depth and control
• Consistently gets serve and return of serve in with varying depth and speed
• Consistent and dependable overheads (directional control, depth and placement)
• Accurate Shot in placing lobs
• Able to sustain dink rally with control, height and depth of shot
• Understands which balls are attackable ball and those that are not in a dink rally
• Sustains a dink exchange with patience at the net to elicit a “put away” shot
• Consistently executes 3rd shot drop from the baseline to approach the net
• Able to change soft shots to power shots to create an advantage
• Able to volley a variety of shots at varying speeds
• Able to block and return fast, hard volleys
• Able to control non-volley zone (NVZ) keeping their opponents back
• Aware of partner’s position on the court and moves as a team
• Solid understanding of stacking and when and how it can be used effectively
• Demonstrates ability to change position in an offensive manner (switching)
• Demonstrates a broad knowledge of the rules of the game
• Has a moderate number of unforced errors per game
• Can identify opponents’ weaknesses and formulate Game plan to attack weaknesses
• Plays competitively in tournaments
• Has good mobility / quickness / hand-eye coordination

3.5 Level Skills:

A 4.0 pickleball player should also possess all the skills of a 3.5 player, which include:

• Demonstrates control on forehand groundstroke (direction, speed, and spin)
• Demonstrates control on backhand groundstroke (direction, speed, and spin)
• Demonstrates control on forehand volley (direction, speed, and spin)
• Demonstrates control on backhand volley (direction, speed, and spin)
• Demonstrates control on serve (depth, placement, and variety)
• Demonstrates control on return of serve (depth, placement, and variety)
• Demonstrates control on overhead smash (direction, speed, and spin)
• Demonstrates control on dink shots (forehand and backhand)
• Demonstrates control on lob shots (forehand and backhand)
• Demonstrates control on drop shots (forehand and backhand)
• Demonstrates control on 3rd shot (drop or drive)
• Demonstrates control on 5th shot (drop or drive)
• Demonstrates control on 7th shot (drop or drive)
• Demonstrates control on transition shots (from baseline to NVZ)
• Demonstrates control on defensive shots (from NVZ to baseline)
• Demonstrates control on offensive shots (from NVZ to NVZ)
• Demonstrates control on put-away shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on reset shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on angle shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on spin shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on pace shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on placement of shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on depth shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on width shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on height shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on timing shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on anticipation shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on reaction shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on deception shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on consistency shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on endurance shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on pressure shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on mental shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on physical shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on emotional shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on strategic shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on tactical shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on situational shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on environmental shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on partner shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on opponent shots (from any position)
• Demonstrates control on self-shots (from any position)

As you can see, a 4.0 pickleball player has a lot of skills to master and maintain. However, having these skills is not enough to be a 4.0 player. You also need to know how to use them effectively and efficiently in a game situation.

How Do You Determine Your Pickleball Skill Level?

• Self-Assessment for Skill Level
• UTPR (USA Pickleball Tournament Player Rating)
• DUPR (Domestic USA Pickleball Rating)

Self-Assessment for Skill Level is based on the skill ratings rubric provided by USA Pickleball. You can download the skill assessment sheets for each level and rate yourself on each skill from 0 to 3. The advantage of doing a self-assessment is that you can identify your strengths and weaknesses and work on improving them. The disadvantage is that you may be biased or inaccurate in your evaluation.

Another way to determine your pickleball skill level is to use the UTPR (USA Pickleball Tournament Player Rating) system. This is a dynamic rating system that is based on your performance in sanctioned tournaments. Your UTPR is calculated by using an algorithm that considers the following factors:

• The rating of your opponents
• The rating of your partner
• The score of each game
• The number of games played
• The recency of the games played

Your UTPR is updated after each tournament and reflects your current skill level. The advantage of using the UTPR system is that it is objective and consistent. The disadvantage is that it may not reflect your true skill level if you do not play in many tournaments or if you play with different partners.

A third way to determine your pickleball skill level is to use the DUPR (Domestic USA Pickleball Rating) system. This is a static rating system that is based on your self-declared skill level. Your DUPR is assigned by USA Pickleball when you register as a member and can be changed by you at any time. The advantage of using the DUPR system is that it is simple and convenient. The disadvantage is that it may not be accurate or reliable.

3 BIG Mistakes Made By Most Pickleball Players 4.0 & Below

• Mistake #1 – The Misconception about Swing “Hard”
• Mistake #2 – The Myth of Always Going for Winners
• Mistake #3 – The Perfection of Technique

One of the reasons why some pickleball players struggle to reach the 4.0 level is that they make some common mistakes that prevent them from playing at their best. Here are three big mistakes that you should avoid if you want to become a 4.0 pickleball player.

The Misconception about Swing “Hard”

Many Intermediate players think that swinging hard is the key to hitting powerful and effective shots. They believe that the harder they swing, the faster and farther the ball will go. However, this is a misconception that can lead to poor shot quality and consistency.

The truth is that swinging hard does not necessarily mean hitting hard. In fact, swinging hard can have the opposite effect of hitting hard. When you swing hard, you tend to tense up your muscles, lose your balance, and compromise your technique. This can result in hitting the ball too high, too low, too long, or too wide. It can also cause you to miss the sweet spot of your paddle, which reduces the power and control of your shots.

The correct way to hit hard is to swing fast, not hard. Swinging fast means accelerating your paddle through the ball with a smooth and relaxed motion. This allows you to generate more racket head speed, which translates into more ball speed. It also allows you to maintain your balance, timing, and technique, which improves your shot quality and consistency.

To swing fast, you need to use your whole body, not just your arm. You need to engage your legs, hips, torso, shoulders, and wrist in a coordinated and fluid movement. You also need to swing fast, you need to have a good grip on your paddle, a proper stance and posture, and a smooth and compact swing. You also need to hit the ball at the right time, angle, and spot. By swinging fast, you can hit hard shots with more accuracy and consistency.

The Myth of Always Going for Winners

Another mistake that many pickleball players make is that they always try to go for winners. They think that the best way to win a point is to hit a shot that the opponent cannot return. They try to hit the ball as hard, as low, as close to the lines, or as far away from the opponent as possible. However, this is a myth that can lead to more Common Pickleball errors and frustration.

The truth is that going for winners is not always the best strategy. In fact, going for winners can be risky and counterproductive. When you go for winners, you increase the chances of making mistakes, such as hitting the net, hitting out, or hitting into the opponent’s paddle. You also give the opponent an opportunity to counterattack, especially if they are good at defending or anticipating your shots.

The correct way to win a point is to go for smart shots, not winners. Smart shots are shots that put pressure on the opponent and force them to make Common errors or weak returns. Smart shots are also shots that set up your next shot or your partner’s shot. Smart shots are not necessarily hard, low, close to the lines, or far away from the opponent. They can be soft, high, in the middle, or near the opponent, depending on the situation.

To go for smart shots, you need to use your vision, your brain, and your paddle. You need to see the Incoming shots, where the ball is, and where the open spaces are. You need to think about what shot to hit, when to hit it, and how to hit it. You need to execute your shot with the right speed, spin, direction, and placement. By going for smart shots, you can win points with more efficiency and effectiveness.

The Perfection of Stroke Technique

The third mistake that some pickleball players make is that they focus too much on the perfection of technique. They think that the only way to improve their game is to have flawless technique. They obsess over every detail of their Basic strokes, such as the grip, the backswing, the contact point, the follow-through, and the recovery. They try to copy the technique of Experienced players or coaches, without considering their own strengths and weaknesses. However, this is a mistake that can limit their potential and enjoyment.

The truth is that perfection of Stroke technique is not the ultimate goal of pickleball. In fact, the perfection of technique is impossible and unnecessary. No one has perfect Stroke technique, not even the pro players or coaches. Everyone has their own unique style and preferences, based on their physical attributes, personality, and experience. What works for one player may not work for another player.

The correct way to approach Stroke technique is to find your optimal technique, not the perfect technique. Optimal technique is the technique that suits you best and allows you to play at your best. Optimal technique is the technique that maximizes your strengths and minimizes your weaknesses. Optimal technique is the technique that is comfortable, consistent, and adaptable.

To find your optimal Stroke technique, you need to experiment, practice, and evaluate. You need to try different techniques and see what feels good and what works well for you. You need to do Consistent practice your technique and make adjustments as needed. You need to evaluate your technique and get feedback from yourself, your partner, or your coach. By finding your optimal technique, you can play with more confidence and fun.

Where to Put Your Focus As a 4.0 Player

• Identifying Key Areas for Improvement
• Working on Advanced Pickleball Skills

If you want to become a 4.0 pickleball player, you need to put your focus on the right areas. You need to identify the key areas that you need to improve and work on them diligently. You also need to work on the advanced pickleball skills that will give you an edge over your opponents.

Identifying Key Areas for Improvement

Some of the key areas that you need to improve as a 4.0 player are:

• Your mental game
• Your shot selection
• Your shot variety
• Your shot consistency
• Your shot drops
• Your non-volley zone (NVZ) skills
• Your skill level rating

Your mental game is the most important aspect of your pickleball game. It affects how you think, feel, and act on the court. It determines your Positive attitude, your motivation, your confidence, your concentration, your emotions, and your decisions. A strong mental game can help you overcome challenges, cope with pressure, and perform at your best. A weak mental game can cause you to lose focus, make Common errors, and play below your potential.

To improve your mental game, you need to develop a positive mindset, a clear goal, a realistic plan, and a resilient attitude. You also need to Consistent practice mental skills, such as visualization, relaxation, self-talk, and breathing. You can also use mental tools, such as affirmations, routines, rituals, and cues. By improving your mental game, you can enhance your pickleball game.

Your shot selection is the ability to choose the best shot for each situation. It involves analyzing the ball, the opponent, the court, and yourself. It also involves applying the principles of pickleball, Understanding of strategy, such as keeping the ball low, hitting to the open space, hitting to the weaker side, hitting to the middle, and hitting to the feet. A good shot selection can help you gain control of the point, create opportunities, and finish the point. A bad shot selection can help you lose control of the point, miss opportunities, and lose the point.

To improve your shot selection, you need to practice your vision, your brain, and your paddle. You need to practice seeing the ball, the opponent, the court, and yourself. You need to practice thinking about what shot to hit, when to hit it, and how to hit it. You need to practice executing your Basic shot with the right speed, spin, direction, and placement. By improving your shot selection, you can improve your pickleball game.

Your shot variety is the ability to hit different types of shots with different characteristics. It involves using different speeds, spins, directions, and shot placements. It also involves using different strokes, such as groundstrokes, volleys, overheads, lobs, drops, dinks, drives, and slices. A good shot variety can help you surprise the opponent, keep the opponent guessing, and exploit the opponent’s weaknesses. A bad shot variety can help you be predictable, be easy to read, and play into the opponent’s strengths.

To improve your shot variety, you need to practice with your High-Quality Pickleball paddle, your wrist, and your fingers. You need to practice using different parts of your paddle, such as the center, the edge, the face, and the side. You need to practice using different motions of your wrist, such as snapping, rolling, flicking, and twisting. You need to practice using different pressures of your fingers, such as squeezing, relaxing, pinching, and spreading. By improving your shot variety, you can improve your pickleball game.

Your shot consistency is the ability to hit the same type of shot with the same quality over and over again. It involves hitting the ball with the right contact point, the right swing path, and the right follow-through. It also involves hitting the ball with the right timing, the right angle, and the right spot. A good shot consistency can help you maintain your rhythm, build your confidence, and reduce your errors. A bad shot consistency can help you lose your rhythm, lower your confidence, and increase your errors.

To improve your shot consistency, you need to practice your Stroke technique, your balance, and your repetition. You need to practice your balance and make sure it is stable and centered. By improving your shot consistency, you can improve your pickleball game.

Your shot drops are the shots that you hit from the baseline or the mid-court to the NVZ. They are usually the 3rd, 5th, or 7th shots of the rally. They are also called the transition shots, because they allow you to transition from the back of the court to the front of the court. A good shot drop can help you approach the net, put pressure on the opponent, and set up your next shot. A bad shot drop can help you stay at the baseline, give the opponent an easy shot, and lose the point.

To improve your shot drops, you need to practice your paddle, your legs, and your eyes. You need to practice using the right part of your paddle, such as the center, the edge, or the face. You need to practice using the right motion of your legs, such as bending, stepping, or jumping. You need to practice using the right focus of your eyes, such as the ball, the net, or the opponent. By improving your shot drops, you can improve your pickleball game.

Your NVZ skills are the skills that you use when you are at the NVZ or near the NVZ. They include your volleys, your dinks, your overheads, your blocks, your resets, your put-aways, and your angles. They also include your footwork, your positioning, your anticipation, your reaction, and your Effective communication. A good NVZ skill can help you dominate the net, win the point, and have fun. A bad NVZ skill can help you lose the net, lose the point, and get frustrated.

To improve your NVZ skills, you need to practice your paddle, your hands, and your feet. You need to practice using the right part of your paddle, such as the center, the edge, or the face. You need to practice using the right motion of your hands, such as snapping, rolling, flicking, or twisting. You need to practice using the right movement of your feet, such as shuffling, crossing, or pivoting. By improving your NVZ skills, you can improve your pickleball game.

Your skill level rating is the number that represents your pickleball skill level. It is based on your performance in tournaments, your self-assessment, or your rating session. A good skill level rating can help you find the right partners, opponents, and events for your level. A bad skill level rating can help you find the wrong partners, opponents, and events for your level.

To improve your skill level rating, you need to practice your game, your rating, and your improvement. You need to practice your game and play as much as you can with different players and in different situations. You need to practice your rating and get rated by a certified rating specialist or by playing in sanctioned tournaments. You need to practice your improvement and work on the areas that you need to improve. By improving your skill level rating, you can improve your pickleball game.

Key Areas to Work On

• Do You Know Your Grip?
• Get Aggressive With Your 4th Shots
• Hit Your 3rd Shot Drops Higher
• Be Intentional with Your Dinks

In addition to the key areas that you need to improve, there are also some key areas that you need to work on as a 4.0 player. These are some of the advanced pickleball skills that will help you take your game to the next level and compete with high skill level player.

Do You Know Your Grip?

Your grip is the way you hold your paddle. It affects how you hit the ball, how you control the ball, and how you feel the ball. It is one of the most fundamental and important aspects of your technique. A good grip can help you hit the ball with more power, spin, accuracy, and consistency. A Wrong grip can help you hit the ball with less power, spin, accuracy, and consistency.

There are different types of grips that you can use in pickleball, such as the continental grip, the eastern grip, the semi-western grip, and the western grip. Each grip has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the type of shot, the type of spin, and the type of player. There is no one perfect grip for every shot or every player. You need to find the grip that works best for you and your game.

To find your grip, you need to experiment, practice, and evaluate. You need to experiment with different grips and see how they affect your shots. You need to practice with the grip that feels natural and comfortable playing for you. You need to evaluate your grip and get feedback from yourself, your partner, or your coach. By finding your grip, you can improve your pickleball game.

How To Determine Pickleball Paddle Grip Size: Expert Tips & Guide

Get Aggressive With Your 4th Shots

Your 4th shot is the shot that you hit after the opponent’s 3rd shot. It is usually a volley or a half-volley that you hit from the NVZ or near the NVZ. It is also called the attacking shot, because it allows you to attack the opponent and take control of the point. A good 4th shot can help you put pressure on the opponent, create opportunities, and finish the point. A bad 4th shot can help you lose pressure on the opponent, miss opportunities, and lose the point.

To hit a good 4th shot, you need to be aggressive, not passive. Being aggressive means hitting the ball with confidence, authority, and intention. Being passive means hitting the ball with hesitation, doubt, and fear. Being aggressive can help you hit the ball with more speed, spin, direction, and placement. Being passive can help you hit the ball with less speed, spin, direction, and placement.

To be aggressive with your 4th shots, you need to practice your vision, your brain, and your paddle. You need to practice seeing the ball, the opponent, the court, and yourself. You need to practice thinking about what shot to hit, when to hit it, and how to hit it. You need to practice executing your shot with the right speed, spin, direction, and placement. By being aggressive with your 4th shots, you can improve your pickleball game.

Hit Your 3rd Shot Drops Higher

Your 3rd shot drop is the most fundamental shot that you hit from the baseline or the mid-court to the NVZ. It is usually the 3rd shot of the rally. It is also called the transition shot, because it allows you to transition from the back of the court to the front of the court. A good 3rd shot drop can help you approach the net, put pressure on the opponent, and set up your next shot. A bad 3rd shot drop can help you stay at the baseline, give the opponent an easy shot, and lose the point.

To hit a good 3rd shot drop, you need to hit the ball higher, not lower. Hitting the ball higher means hitting the ball with more arc, more margin, and more depth. Hitting the ball lower means hitting the ball with less arc, less margin, and less depth. Hitting the ball higher can help you clear the net, land the ball in the NVZ, and bounce the ball low. Hitting the ball lower can help you hit the net, land the ball out, and bounce the ball high.

Also Read; pickleball 3rd shot strategy

To hit your 3rd shot drops higher, you need to practice your paddle, your legs, and your eyes. You need to practice using the right part of your paddle, such as the center, the edge, or the face. You need to practice using the right motion of your legs, such as bending, stepping, or jumping. You need to practice using the right focus of your eyes, such as the ball, the net, or the opponent. By hitting your 3rd shot drops higher, you can improve your pickleball game.

Top Drills For A Winning Drop Shot In Pickleball In 2023

Be Intentional with Your Dinks

Your dink is the shot that you hit softly and low over the net from the NVZ or near the NVZ. It is usually a forehand or a backhand shot that you hit with an open paddle face and a gentle swing. It is also called the soft shot, because it allows you to play a soft game with the opponent and wait for a mistake or a put-away. A good dink can help you sustain the rally, force the opponent to make errors or weak returns, and create opportunities. A bad dink can help you end the rally, make errors or weak returns, and miss opportunities.

To hit a good dink, you need to be intentional, not random. Being intentional means hitting the ball with purpose, direction, and shot placement. Being random means hitting the pop-up balls without purpose, direction, or placement. Being intentional can help you hit the pop-up ball with more control shots, accuracy, and consistency. Being random can help you hit the ball with less control, accuracy, and consistency.

To be intentional with your dinks, you need to practice your vision, your brain, and your paddle. You need to practice seeing the ball, the opponent, the court, and yourself. You need to practice thinking about what shot to hit, when to hit it, and how to hit it. You need to practice executing your shot with the right speed, spin, direction, and placement. Watch Pickleball Videos of Tyson McGuffin to Improve your Dinking.

key Skills to becoming a 4.0 pickleball player

Sure, here’s a table that provides the key Skill Points to becoming a 4.0 pickleball player:

Point	Description
Develop Skills	Master control, power, and consistency
Sound Strategy	Game Plan and pressure opponents
Speed & Power	Balance quickness with consistency
Play in All Phases	Control rallies, attack, and defend
Offensive Game	Aggressively win points
Control Your Serves	Learn to serve effectively
Switch Court Positions	Adapt to different court positions
Non-Volley Zone Play	Get comfortable at the non-volley zone
Block Volleys	Learn to block volleys effectively
Footwork and Moves	Improve footwork for better mobility
Strategy In Dinking	Learn effective dinking strategies
Effective Drop Shots	Master the art of drop shots

Remember, becoming a 4.0 player requires dedication, hard work, and natural talent.

Top 4 Pickleball Drills for 4.0+ Players

• Drill #1 – Fireball
  • How to Do It
  • Objective/Goals
• Drill #2 – Terminator
  • How to Do It
  • Objective/Goals
• Drill #3 – Survivor
  • How to Do It
  • Objective/Goals
• Drill #4 – Mid-Court Crisis
  • How to Do It
  • Objective/Goals

One of the best ways to improve your pickleball skills and strategies is to practice drills. Drills are exercises that focus on specific aspects of the game, such as technique, consistency, accuracy, variety, speed, power, spin, placement, timing, anticipation, reaction, decision-making, effective communication, and teamwork. Drills can help you develop your muscle memory, improve your shot quality, increase your confidence, and enhance your performance.

Here are four pickleball drills that are designed for 4.0+ players. These drills are challenging, fun, and effective. They will help you work on your advanced pickleball skills and prepare you for competitive Pickleball matches. You can do these drills with a partner, a group, or a Experienced coaches. You can also modify these drills to suit your level, your achievable goals, and your preferences.

Drill #1 – Fireball

This drill is a fast-paced and intense drill that will help you improve your volleys, your reflexes, and your aggressiveness. You will need four players, two paddles, and one ball for this drill.

How to Do It:

• Divide the players into two teams of two and have them stand at the opposite NVZs.
• One team starts with the ball and serves it to the other team. The serve can be hard or soft, but it must land in the court.
• The receiving team must return the serve with a volley. The volley can be hard or soft, but it must land in the court.
• The rally continues with both teams hitting only volleys. No groundstrokes, no lobs, no drops, no dinks, no overheads, no blocks, no resets, no put-aways, no angles, no spins, no placements, no depths.
• only volleys. The rally ends when one team misses the volley, hits the net, hits out, or commits a fault.
• The team that wins the rally gets one point and serves the next ball. The team that loses the rally does not get any point and receives the next serve.
• The first team to reach 11 points and win by two points wins the drill.

Objective/Goals:

• The objective of this drill is to improve your volleys, your reflexes, and your aggressiveness.
• The goals of this drill are to:
  • Hit your volleys with speed, power, and accuracy
  • React quickly and correctly to the opponent’s volleys
  • Attack the opponent’s weak volleys and defend your own weak volleys
  • Maintain your balance, posture, and paddle position at the NVZ
  • Communicate and coordinate with your partner at the NVZ

Drill #2 – Terminator

This drill is a strategic and competitive drill that will help you improve your 3rd shot drops, your dinks, and your put-aways. You will need four players, two paddles, and one ball for this drill.

How to Do It:

• Divide the players into two teams of two and have them stand at the opposite NVZs.
• One team starts with the ball and serves it to the other team. The serve can be hard or soft, but it must land in the court.
• The receiving team must return the serve with a groundstroke. The groundstroke can be hard or soft, but it must land in the court.
• The serving team must hit a 3rd shot drop to the NVZ. The 3rd shot drop can be hard or soft, but it must land in the NVZ and bounce low.
• The rally continues with both teams hitting only dinks or put-aways. A dink is a soft shot that goes over the net and lands in the NVZ. A put-away is a hard shot that goes over the net and lands out of the opponent’s reach. No groundstrokes, no lobs, no drives, no overheads, no blocks, no resets, no angles, no spins, no placements, no depths
• The rally ends when one team misses the dink or the put-away, hits the net, hits out, or commits a fault.
• The team that wins the rally gets one point and serves the next ball. The team that loses the rally does not get any point and receives the next serve.
• The first team to reach 11 points and win by two points wins the drill.

Objective/Goals:

• The objective of this drill is to improve your 3rd shot drops, your dinks, and your put-aways.
• The goals of this drill are to:
  • Hit your 3rd shot drops with arc, margin, and depth
  • Hit your dinks with control, height, and direction
  • Hit your put-aways with speed, power, and placement
  • Recognize when to hit a dink or a put-away
  • Anticipate and counter the opponent’s dinks or put-aways
  • Be patient and consistent at the NVZ
  • Communicate and coordinate with your partner at the NVZ

Drill #3 – Survivor

This drill is a fun and challenging drill that will help you improve your serves, your returns, and your endurance. You will need four players, two paddles, and one ball for this drill.

How to Do It:

• Divide the players into two teams of two and have them stand at the opposite baselines.
• One team starts with the ball and serves it to the other team. The serve can be hard or soft, but it must land in the court.
• The receiving team must return the serve with a groundstroke. The groundstroke can be hard or soft, but it must land in the court.
• The rally continues with both teams hitting any type of shot they want. They can hit groundstrokes, volleys, overheads, lobs, drops, dinks, drives, slices, or any other shot they can think of. The rally ends when one team misses the shot, hits the net, hits out, or commits a fault.
• The team that wins the rally gets one point and serves the next ball. The team that loses the rally does not get any point and receives the next serve.
• The twist is that each player has three lives. Every time a player makes a mistake, such as missing the serve, missing the return, or losing the rally, they lose one life. When a player loses all three lives, they are out of the drill. The last player standing wins the drill.

Objective/Goals:

• The objective of this drill is to improve your serves, your returns, and your endurance.
• The goals of this drill are to:
  • Hit your serves with speed, spin, and accuracy
  • Hit your returns with speed, spin, and accuracy
  • Hit your shots with variety, consistency, and strategy
  • Avoid making mistakes and losing lives
  • Survive as long as you can and win the drill

Drill #4 – Mid-Court Crisis

This drill is a tricky and tactical drill that will help you improve your drops, your volleys, and your decision-making. You will need four players, two paddles, and one ball for this drill.

How to Do It:

• Divide the players into two teams of two and have them stand at the opposite NVZs.
• One team starts with the ball and serves it to the other team. The serve can be hard or soft, but it must land in the court.
• The receiving team must return the serve with a groundstroke. It can be hard or soft, but it must land in the court.
• The serving team must hit a 3rd shot drop to the NVZ. The 3rd shot drop can be hard or soft, but it must land in the NVZ and bounce low.
• The rally continues with both teams hitting any type of shot they want, except for groundstrokes. They can hit volleys, overheads, lobs, drops, dinks, drives, slices, or any other shot they can think of, as long as they do not let the ball bounce. The rally ends when one team misses the shot, hits the net, hits out, or commits a fault.
• The twist is that each team has a designated mid-court player. The mid-court player is the player who is closer to the baseline than the NVZ. The mid-court player can only hit shots that land in the mid-court area, which is the area between the baseline and the NVZ. The mid-court player cannot hit shots that land in the NVZ or beyond the baseline. The mid-court player can switch with their partner at any time, as long as they do not cross the NVZ line. The mid-court player can also move to the NVZ if they hit a shot that lands in the NVZ, but they must return to the mid-court if they hit a shot that lands in the mid-court or beyond the baseline.
• The team that wins the rally gets one point and serves the next ball. The team that loses the rally does not get any point and receives the next serve.
• The first team to reach 11 points and win by two points wins the drill.

Objective/Goals:

• The objective of this drill is to improve your drops, your volleys, and your decision-making.
• The goals of this drill are to:
  • Hit your drops with arc, margin, and depth
  • Hit your volleys with speed, power, and accuracy
  • Hit your shots with variety, consistency, and strategy
  • Avoid hitting shots that land in the wrong area
  • Switch and move with your partner effectively
  • Adapt to the mid-court crisis and win the drill

Top 3 Skills To Become A 4.0 Pickleball Player

The top three skills that you need to master as a 4.0 player are:

• Effective third shot drop
• Offensive and defensive dinks
• Competitive volleys

These skills are essential for playing a successful soft game, which is the key to winning points and matches at the 4.0 level and above. A soft game is a game that involves hitting the ball softly and low over the net, usually from the non-volley zone (NVZ) or near the NVZ. A soft game can help you control the pace of the rally, create openings, and force errors from the opponent.

In the following sections, we will explain what each skill is, why it is important, and how to improve it. We will also share some tips and drills from pro players and Experienced coaches that will help you practice and master these skills.

Effective Third Shot Drop

The third shot drop is the shot that you hit from the baseline or the mid-court to the NVZ. It is usually the third shot of the rally, after the serve and the return. It is also called the transition shot, because it allows you to transition from the back of the court to the front of the court. An effective third shot drop can help you approach the net, put pressure on the opponent, and set up your next shot.

The third shot drop is one of the most important and difficult shots in pickleball. It requires a lot of skill, timing, and precision. A good third shot drop should have the following characteristics:

• It should clear the net by a few inches, not too high or too low.
• It should land in the NVZ, not too short or too long.
• It should bounce low, not too high or too flat.
• It should have some spin, not too much or too little.

An effective third shot drop can give you many advantages, such as:

• It can prevent the opponent from hitting a hard shot or a put-away shot.
• It can force the opponent to hit a weak shot or an error.
• It can allow you to move forward and take control of the net.
• It can create opportunities for you to hit a volley, a dink, or a put-away shot.

To improve your third shot drop, you need to work on the following aspects:

• Your paddle, your legs, and your eyes. You need to use the right part of your paddle, such as the center, the edge, or the face. You need to use the right motion of your legs, such as bending, stepping, or jumping. You need to use the right focus of your eyes, such as the ball, the net, or the opponent.
• Your speed, your spin, and your placement. You need to hit the ball with the right speed, not too fast or too slow. You need to hit the ball with the right spin, not too much or too little. You need to hit the ball with the right placement, not too high or too low, not too short or too long, not too wide or too narrow.
• Your timing, your angle, and your spot. You need to hit the ball at the right time, not too early or too late. You need to hit the ball at the right angle, not too steep or too shallow. You need to hit the ball at the right spot, not too close or too far from the net, not too close or too far from the sideline, not too close or too far from the centerline.

To practice your third shot drop, you can do the following drills:

Drill #1 – Drop Zone. 

This drill will help you improve your accuracy and consistency. You will need two players, two paddles, and one ball for this drill.

• How to Do It:
  • Divide the court into four zones: A, B, C, and D. Zone A is the left half of the NVZ, zone B is the right half of the NVZ, zone C is the left half of the mid-court, and zone D is the right half of the mid-court.
  • One player stands at the baseline and the other player stands at the NVZ. The baseline player starts with the ball and serves it to the NVZ player. The serve can be hard or soft, but it must land in the court.
  • The NVZ player returns the serve with a groundstroke. The groundstroke can be hard or soft, but it must land in the court.
  • The baseline player hits a third shot drop to one of the four zones. The third shot drop can be hard or soft, but it must land in the zone and bounce low.
  • The NVZ player tries to return the third shot drop with a volley or a dink. The volley or the dink can be hard or soft, but it must land in the court.
  • The rally continues until one player misses the shot, hits the net, hits out, or commits a fault.
  • The baseline player gets one point for every successful third shot drop that lands in the zone and bounces low. The NVZ player gets one point for every successful return that lands in the court. The player who wins the rally serves the next ball.
  • The players switch roles after every 10 points. The first player to reach 21 points and win by two points wins the drill.
• Objective/Goals:
  • The objective of this drill is to improve your accuracy and consistency of your third shot drops.
  • The goals of this drill are to:
    • Hit your third shot drops to the designated zone with arc, margin, and depth
    • Hit your third shot drops with different speeds, spins, and placements
    • Adjust your third shot drops according to the opponent’s return
    • Return the opponent’s third shot drops with volleys or dinks

Drill #2 – Drop Shot. 

This drill will help you improve your timing and precision. You will need two players, two paddles, and one ball for this drill.

• How to Do It:
  • One player stands at the baseline and the other player stands at the NVZ. The baseline player starts with the ball and serves it to the NVZ player. The serve can be hard or soft, but it must land in the court.
  • The NVZ player returns the serve with a groundstroke. The groundstroke can be hard or soft, but it must land in the court.
  • The baseline player hits a third shot drop to the NVZ. The third shot drop can be hard or soft, but it must land in the NVZ and bounce low.
  • The NVZ player tries to return the third shot drop with a volley or a dink. The volley or the dink can be hard or soft, but it must land in the court.
  • The rally continues until one player misses the shot, hits the net, hits out, or commits a fault.
  • The baseline player gets one point for every successful third shot drop that lands in the NVZ and bounces low. The NVZ player gets one point for every successful return that lands in the court. The player who wins the rally serves the next ball.
  • The twist is that the baseline player can call out “drop” before hitting the third shot drop. If the baseline player calls out “drop”, the NVZ player must let the ball bounce before returning it. If the NVZ player does not let the ball bounce, they lose the point. If the baseline player does not call out “drop”, the NVZ player can return the ball with or without a bounce.
  • The players switch roles after every 10 points. The first player to reach 21 points and win by two points wins the drill.
• Objective/Goals:
  • The objective of this drill is to improve your timing and precision of your third shot drops.
  • The goals of this drill are to:
    • Hit your third shot drops with the right speed, spin, and placement
    • Hit your third shot drops with the right timing, angle, and spot
    • Call out “drop” when you hit a good third shot drop
    • Return the opponent’s third shot drops with or without a bounce

Offensive and Defensive Dinks

The dink is the shot that you hit softly and low over the net from the NVZ or near the NVZ. It is usually a forehand shots or a backhand shot that you hit with an open paddle face and a gentle swing. It is also called the soft shot, because it allows you to play a soft game with the opponent and wait for a mistake or a put-away. An offensive dink can help you create openings, force errors, and finish the point. A defensive dink can help you sustain the rally, avoid errors, and reset the point.

The dink is one of the most essential and versatile shots in pickleball. It requires a lot of skill, patience, and precision. A good dink can help you control the pace of the rally, create openings, and force errors from the opponent. A bad dink can help you lose control of the rally, miss openings, and make errors yourself.

To hit a good dink, you need to hit the ball higher, not lower. Hitting the ball higher means hitting the ball with more arc, more margin, and more depth. Hitting the ball lower means hitting the ball with less arc, less margin, and less depth. Hitting the ball higher can help you clear the net, land the ball in the NVZ, and bounce the ball low. Hitting the ball lower can help you hit the net, land the ball out, and bounce the ball high.

To improve your dinks, you need to work on the following aspects:

• Your paddle, your wrist, and your fingers. You need to use the right part of your paddle, such as the center, the edge, or the face. You need to use the right motion of your wrist, such as snapping, rolling, flicking, or twisting. You need to use the right pressure of your fingers, such as squeezing, relaxing, pinching, or spreading.
• Your speed, your spin, and your placement. You need to hit the ball with the right speed, not too fast or too slow. You need to hit the ball with the right spin, not too much or too little. You need to hit the ball with the right placement, not too high or too low, not too short or too long, not too wide or too narrow.
• Your timing, your angle, and your spot. You need to hit the ball at the right time, not too early or too late. You need to hit the ball at the right angle, not too steep or too shallow. You need to hit the ball at the right spot, not too close or too far from the net, not too close or too far from the sideline, not too close or too far from the centerline.

To practice your dinks, you can do the following drills:

Drill #1 – Dink Rally. 

This drill will help you improve your consistency and accuracy. You will need two players, two paddles, and one ball for this drill.

• How to Do It:
  • Both players stand at the opposite NVZs. One player starts with the ball and hits a dink to the other player. The dink can be hard or soft, but it must land in the NVZ and bounce low.
  • The other player returns the dink with another dink. The dink can be hard or soft, but it must land in the NVZ and bounce low.
  • The rally continues with both players hitting only dinks. No volleys, no overheads, no lobs, no drops, no drives, no slices, no spins, no placements, no depths – only dinks. The rally ends when one player misses the dink, hits the net, hits out, or commits a fault.
  • The player who wins the rally gets one point and starts the next rally with a dink. The player who loses the rally does not get any point and receives the next dink.
  • The first player to reach 11 points and win by two points wins the drill.
• Objective/Goals:
  • The objective of this drill is to improve your consistency and accuracy of your dinks.
  • The goals of this drill are to:
    • Hit your dinks with control, height, and direction
    • Hit your dinks with different speeds, spins, and placements
    • Adjust your dinks according to the opponent’s dinks
    • Maintain your balance, posture, and paddle position at the NVZ
    • Communicate and coordinate with your partner at the NVZ

Drill #2 – Dink Cross. 

This drill will help you improve your cross-court dinks and your footwork. You will need four players, two paddles, and one ball for this drill.

• How to Do It:
  • Divide the players into two teams of two and have them stand at the opposite NVZs. Each team has one player on the left side and one player on the right side of the court.
  • One team starts with the ball and hits a cross-court dink to the other team. The cross-court dink can be hard or soft, but it must land in the NVZ and bounce low.
  • The other team returns the cross-court dink with another cross-court dink. The cross-court dink can be hard or soft, but it must land in the NVZ and bounce low.
  • The rally continues with both teams hitting only cross-court dinks. No straight dinks, no volleys, no overheads, no lobs, no drops, no drives, no slices, no spins, no placements, no depths – only cross-court dinks. The rally ends when one team misses the cross-court dink, hits the net, hits out, or commits a fault.
  • The team that wins the rally gets one point and starts the next rally with a cross-court dink. The team that loses the rally does not get any point and receives the next cross-court dink.
  • The twist is that after each cross-court dink, the players must switch sides with their partner. The player who hits the cross-court dink must move to the right side of the court, and the player who receives the cross-court dink must move to the left side of the court. The players must not cross the NVZ line when switching sides.
  • The first team to reach 11 points and win by two points wins the drill.
• Objective/Goals:
  • The objective of this drill is to improve your cross-court dinks and your footwork.
  • The goals of this drill are to:
    • Hit your cross-court dinks with control, height, and direction
    • Hit your cross-court dinks with different speeds, spins, and placements
    • Adjust your cross-court dinks according to the opponent’s cross-court dinks
    • Switch sides with your partner quickly and smoothly
    • Communicate and coordinate with your partner at the NVZ

Competitive Volleys

The volley is the shot that you hit before the ball bounces on the ground. It is usually a forehand or a backhand role shot that you hit with a closed paddle face and a short swing. It is also called the hard shot or Difficult Shot, because it allows you to play a hard game with the opponent and end the point. A competitive volley can help you dominate the net, win the point, and have fun.

The volley is one of the most powerful and Game-Changer shot in pickleball. It requires a lot of skill, reflexes, and aggressiveness. A good volley should have the following characteristics:

• It should clear the net by a few inches, not too high or too low.
• It should land in the court, not too short or too long.
• It should bounce low, not too high or too flat.
• It should have some speed, power, and accuracy.

A competitive volley can give you many advantages, such as:

• It can prevent the opponent from hitting a soft shot or a put-away shot.
• It can force the opponent to hit a weak shot or an error.
• It can allow you to finish the point with a put-away shot or an angle shot.
• It can create opportunities for you to hit a volley, a dink, or a put-away shot.

To improve your volleys, you need to work on the following aspects:

• Your paddle, your wrist, and your elbow. You need to use the right part of your paddle, such as the center, the edge, or the face. You need to use the right motion of your wrist, such as snapping, rolling, flicking, or twisting. You need to use the right position of your elbow, such as high, low, or in line with your paddle.
• Your speed, your power, and your accuracy. You need to hit the ball with the right speed, not too fast or too slow. You need to hit the ball with the right power, not too hard or too soft. You need to hit the ball with the right accuracy, not too high or too low, not too wide or too narrow.
• Your timing, your angle, and your spot. You need to hit the ball at the right time, not too early or too late. You need to hit the ball at the right angle, not too steep or too shallow. You need to hit the ball at the right spot, not too close or too far from the net, not too close or too far from the sideline, not too close or too far from the centerline.

To practice your volleys, you can do the following drills:

Drill #1 – Volley Rally. 

This drill will help you improve your consistency and accuracy. You will need two players, two paddles, and one ball for this drill.

• How to Do It:
  • Both players stand at the opposite NVZs. One player starts with the ball and hits a volley to the other player. The volley can be hard or soft, but it must land in the court and bounce low.
  • The other player returns the volley with another volley. The volley can be hard or soft, but it must land in the court and bounce low.
  • The rally continues with both players hitting only volleys. No groundstrokes, no overheads, no lobs, no drops, no dinks, no drives, no slices, no spins, no placements, no depths – only volleys. The rally ends when one player misses the volley, hits the net, hits out, or commits a fault.
  • The player who wins the rally gets one point and starts the next rally with a volley. The player who loses the rally does not get any point and receives the next volley.
  • The first player to reach 11 points and win by two points wins the drill.

Objective/Goals:

• The objective of this drill is to improve your consistency and accuracy of your volleys.
• The goals of this drill are to:
  • Hit your volleys with control, speed, and power
  • Hit your volleys with different speeds, spins, and placements
  • Adjust your volleys according to the opponent’s volleys
  • Maintain your balance, posture, and paddle position at the NVZ
  • Communicate and coordinate with your partner at the NVZ

Drill #2 – Volley Cross. 

This drill will help you improve your cross-court volleys and your footwork. You will need four players, two paddles, and one ball for this drill.

• How to Do It:
  • Divide the players into two teams of two and have them stand at the opposite NVZs. Each team has one player on the left side and one player on the right side of the court.
  • One team starts with the ball and hits a cross-court volley to the other team. The cross-court volley can be hard or soft, but it must land in the court and bounce low.
  • The other team returns the cross-court volley with another cross-court volley. The cross-court volley can be hard or soft, but it must land in the court and bounce low.
  • The rally continues with both teams hitting only cross-court volleys. No straight volleys, no groundstrokes, no overheads, no lobs, no drops, no dinks, no drives, no slices, no spins, no placements, no depths – only cross-court volleys. The rally ends when one team misses the cross-court volley, hits the net, hits out, or commits a fault.
  • The team that wins the rally gets one point and starts the next rally with a cross-court volley. The team that loses the rally does not get any point and receives the next cross-court volley.
  • The twist is that after each cross-court volley, the players must switch sides with their partner. The player who hits the cross-court volley must move to the right side of the court, and the player who receives the cross-court volley must move to the left side of the court. The players must not cross the NVZ line when switching sides.
  • The players switch roles after every 10 points. The first team to reach 11 points and win by two points wins the drill.
• Objective/Goals:
  • The objective of this drill is to improve your cross-court volleys and your footwork.
  • The goals of this drill are to:
    • Hit your cross-court volleys with control, speed, and power
    • Hit your cross-court volleys with different speeds, spins, and placements
    • Adjust your cross-court volleys according to the opponent’s cross-court volleys
    • Switch sides with your partner quickly and smoothly
    • Communicate and coordinate with your partner at the NVZ

Pro Tips to Move from 3.5 to 4.0 Pickleball

• Fine-Tuning Your Skills
• Strategies for Skill Advancement

If you are a 3.5 pickleball player who wants to move up to the 4.0 level, you need to fine-tune your skills and apply some strategies for skill advancement. You need to work on the details that make a difference in your singles and doubles game, such as your technique, your consistency, your shot selection, your shot variety, your shot drops, your NVZ skills, and your skill level rating in Pickleball. You also need to learn from the best, such as pro players, coaches, and rating specialists.

Here are some pro tips that will help you move from 3.5 to 4.0 pickleball:

Fine-Tune Your Technique. 

Your technique is the way you hit the ball with your paddle. It affects how you generate power, spin, accuracy, and consistency. To fine-tune your technique, you need to find your optimal technique, not the perfect technique. Optimal technique is the technique that suits you best and allows you to play at your best. Optimal technique is the technique that maximizes your strengths and minimizes your weaknesses. Optimal technique is the technique that is comfortable, consistent, and adaptable. To find your optimal technique, you need to experiment, practice, and evaluate. You need to try different techniques and see what feels good and what works well for you. You need to practice your technique and make adjustments as needed. You need to evaluate your technique and get feedback from yourself, your partner, or your coach.

Fine-Tune Your Consistency. 

Your consistency is the ability to hit the same type of shot with the same quality over and over again. It affects how you maintain your rhythm, build your confidence, and reduce your errors. To fine-tune your consistency, you need to practice your repetition, your balance, and your focus. You need to practice your repetition and make sure it is frequent and focused. You need to practice your balance and make sure it is stable and centered. You need to practice your focus and make sure it is on the ball, the target, and the process.

Fine-Tune Your Shot Selection. 

Your shot selection is the ability to choose the best shot for each situation. It affects how you analyze the ball, the opponent, the court, and yourself. It also affects how you apply the principles of pickleball strategy, such as keeping the ball low, hitting to the open space, hitting to the weaker side, hitting to the middle, and hitting to the feet. To fine-tune your shot selection, you need to practice your vision, your brain, and your paddle. You need to practice your vision and see where the ball is, where the opponent is, where the court is, and where you are. You need to practice your brain and think about what shot to hit, when to hit it, and how to hit it. You need to practice your paddle and execute your shot with the complex shots, Consistent Shots and Diagonal Shots.

Fine-Tune Your Shot Variety. 

Your shot variety is the ability to hit different types of shots with different characteristics. It affects how you surprise the opponent, keep the opponent guessing, and exploit the opponent’s weaknesses. To fine-tune your shot variety, you need to practice your paddle, your wrist, and your fingers. You need to practice your paddle and use different parts of it, such as the center, the edge, the face, and the side. You need to practice your wrist and use different motions of it, such as snapping, rolling, flicking, and twisting. You need to practice your fingers and use different pressures of them, such as squeezing, relaxing, pinching, and spreading.

Fine-Tune Your Shot Drops. 

Your shot drops are the shots that you hit from the baseline or the mid-court to the NVZ. They are usually the 3rd, 5th, or 7th shots of the rally. They are also called the transition shots, because they allow you to transition from the back of the court to the front of the court. To fine-tune your shot drops, you need to practice your paddle, your legs, and your eyes. You need to practice your paddle and use the right part of it, such as the center, the edge, or the face. You need to practice your legs and use the right motion of them, such as bending, stepping, or jumping. You need to practice your eyes and use the right focus of them, such as the ball, the net, or the opponent.

Fine-Tune Your NVZ Skills. 

Your NVZ skills are the skills that you use when you are at the NVZ or near the NVZ. They include your volleys, your dinks, your overheads, your blocks, your resets, your put-aways, and your angles. They also include your footwork, your positioning, your anticipation, your reaction, and your communication. To fine-tune your NVZ skills, you need to practice your paddle, your hands, and your feet. You need to practice your paddle and use the right part of it, such as the center, the edge, or the face. You need to practice your hands and use the right motion of them, such as snapping, rolling, flicking, or twisting. You need to practice your feet and use the right movement of them, such as shuffling, crossing, or pivoting.

Fine-Tune Your Pickleball Skill Ratings. 

Your skill level rating is based on Types of Pickleball Skills, your performance in tournaments, your self-assessment, or your rating session. To fine-tune your skill level rating, you need to practice your game, your rating, and your improvement. You need to practice your game and play as much as you can with different players and in different situations. You need to practice your rating and get rated by a certified rating specialist or by playing in sanctioned tournaments. You need to practice your improvement and work on the areas that you need to improve.

Learn from the Best. 

One of the best ways to improve your pickleball skills and strategies is to learn from the best. You can learn from the best by watching, listening, and asking. You can watch professional players and coaches play and teach pickleball. You can listen to pro players and coaches talk and explain pickleball. By learning from the best, you can get valuable insights, tips, and feedback that will help you improve your pickleball game and Help you to Avoid Premature Attacks.

Conclusion

Achieving a 4.0 pickleball skill level is not easy, but it is possible. You need to master the top three skills that are essential for playing a successful soft game, which are effective third shot drops, offensive and defensive dinks, and competitive volleys. You also need to fine-tune your skills and learn from the best. By doing so, you can improve your pickleball game and enjoy the sport more.

Continued growth and improvement are the keys to becoming a better pickleball player. You need to keep practicing, learning, and challenging yourself in Professional Pickleball Matches. You also need to have fun, be positive, and be supportive of your fellow players. By doing so, you can reach your full potential and achieve your pickleball goals.

FAQ

1. What is the 4.0 skill level in pickleball?

The 4.0 skill level represents a significant milestone in a player’s journey, where they have developed a strong understanding of the game and possess more advanced skills and strategies.

2. How can I improve my grip in pickleball?

To improve your grip in pickleball, ensure that you have a firm yet relaxed grip on the paddle, with your fingers comfortably spread apart. This will allow for better control and maneuverability during gameplay.

3. What are some tips for improving my footwork in pickleball?

To improve your footwork in pickleball, focus on proper weight transfer and balance while moving around the court. Take small, quick steps, stay on your toes, and practice lateral movements to cover the court with effective Strategies

4. How can I enhance my serving skills in pickleball?

To enhance your serving skills in pickleball, practice different types of serves, work on consistency and accuracy, and learn how to incorporate spin into your serves to make them more challenging for your opponents to return.