So, you’re no longer a beginner in pickleball—you understand the rules, can hold your own in casual games, and might even be winning more often. But now, you’re looking to take your skills to the next level.
How do you go from just “playing” to truly competing?
The key to improving at pickleball isn’t just hitting the ball harder—it’s about refining your strategy, control, movement, and mental game.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
✅ The biggest mistakes intermediate players make (and how to fix them)
✅ How to improve your shot consistency and placement
✅ The best strategies for winning more points
✅ How to move better and react faster on the court
✅ How to train for endurance and stay competitive
By the end of this guide, you’ll have the tools and strategies to become a more advanced player and start dominating the courts!
1. Mastering Shot Consistency & Accuracy
At the intermediate level, the difference between winning and losing often comes down to consistency. The more accurate and controlled your shots are, the harder it is for your opponent to attack.
a. Focus on Shot Placement Over Power
Many intermediate players try to win points with force, but advanced players win with placement.
✔️ Aim for deep serves and returns to push opponents back.
✔️ Target your opponent’s feet—it’s the hardest shot to return.
✔️ Hit to their backhand whenever possible.
🔥 Drill to Try:
- Place cones or targets on the court and practice hitting 10 shots in a row to each target.
2. Improve Your Soft Game (Dinking & Third-Shot Drop)
a. Dinking with Purpose
Dinking isn’t just about keeping the ball in play—it’s about setting up an attack.
✔️ Keep dinks low and unattackable.
✔️ Move your opponent side to side with crosscourt dinks.
✔️ Be patient—wait for a pop-up before attacking.
🔥 Drill to Try:
- Play a game where you can only hit dinks for the first 5 shots of every rally.
b. Mastering the Third-Shot Drop
The third-shot drop is essential to transitioning from the baseline to the net.
✔️ Hit a soft, arching shot that lands in your opponent’s kitchen.
✔️ Focus on control, not speed—you’re not trying to win the point immediately.
✔️ Mix in third-shot drives to keep opponents guessing.
🔥 Drill to Try:
- Hit 50 third-shot drops in a row to build consistency.
🔥 Pro Tip: Stay cool during long practice sessions with a moisture-wicking pickleball t-shirt from BigGreenPickle.com!
3. Court Positioning & Footwork: Move Smarter, Not Harder
Many intermediate players don’t realize that where you stand on the court is just as important as how you hit the ball.
a. Doubles Positioning: The Kitchen Line is Key
✔️ After the return, move forward quickly to the kitchen line.
✔️ Stay in sync with your partner—don’t leave big gaps.
✔️ Avoid standing in “no man’s land” (mid-court), where opponents can attack easily.
🔥 Drill to Try:
- Play a game where you must stay at the kitchen line unless forced back.
b. Improve Your Footwork
✔️ Stay on the balls of your feet, not your heels.
✔️ Use small, quick steps instead of lunging.
✔️ Return to ready position after every shot.
🔥 Drill to Try:
- Set up cones and practice shuffle steps while staying balanced.
4. The Best Strategies for Winning More Points
At the intermediate level, strategy beats brute force. If you want to win more games, you need to outthink your opponent.
a. Hit to the Middle to Cause Confusion
✔️ In doubles, hitting down the middle creates miscommunication.
✔️ It’s harder for opponents to angle their shots from the middle.
🔥 Drill to Try:
- Play a match where your goal is to hit every shot to the middle and watch how often opponents struggle.
b. Be Patient—Don’t Force Winners
✔️ Many intermediate players lose by trying to attack too early.
✔️ Instead, wait for a high ball before going for a winner.
🔥 Drill to Try:
- Play a game where you can only attack after 5 shots—this teaches patience.
c. Mix Up Your Shot Speeds
✔️ If your opponent is used to fast shots, slow it down with soft dinks.
✔️ If they love dinking, speed up play with volleys and drives.
🔥 Drill to Try:
- Alternate between slow dinks and fast volleys in practice to develop control over tempo.
5. Mental Toughness: Stay Focused & Confident
The best pickleball players are mentally strong. If you get frustrated easily, you’ll make more unforced errors.
a. Stay Calm Under Pressure
✔️ Take deep breaths between points to stay relaxed.
✔️ Focus on one point at a time—don’t worry about the score.
🔥 Drill to Try:
- After every point, take a deep breath and reset your focus before the next serve.
b. Learn to Adapt Mid-Match
✔️ If your strategy isn’t working, change something—pace, shot selection, positioning.
✔️ Pay attention to your opponent’s weaknesses and adjust.
🔥 Pro Tip: Stay hydrated and energized with a pickleball tumbler from BigGreenPickle.com.
6. The Right Gear for a Competitive Edge
If you want to play at your best, your gear matters.
a. Use the Right Paddle for Your Style
✔️ Control players need paddles with textured surfaces for spin.
✔️ Power players should use paddles with solid cores for extra pop.
b. Wear the Right Clothing
✔️ Moisture-wicking t-shirts keep you cool and dry.
✔️ Supportive shoes prevent injuries and help with footwork.
🔥 Pro Tip: Check out moisture-wicking pickleball t-shirts at BigGreenPickle.com for ultimate comfort.
Final Thoughts: How to Keep Improving
Going from an intermediate to an advanced player is all about:
✅ Shot consistency and placement over power.
✅ Mastering the soft game—dinking and third-shot drops.
✅ Smart positioning and footwork to control the court.
✅ Strategic shot selection to keep opponents guessing.
✅ Mental toughness and confidence under pressure.
And don’t forget—the right gear can make a big difference!
✅ Moisture-wicking pickleball t-shirts keep you comfortable.
✅ Pickleball tumblers help you stay hydrated for peak performance.
By focusing on these key areas, you’ll see major improvements in your game and start winning more matches!
