NOTE: This Article is designed for pickleball players who are not TPS or TPS Camp Students. If you are a TPS or TPS Camp Student, click here for an article specifically written for you.
At some point in every pickleball player’s journey, it happens.
You start playing knowing nothing.
You fall in love with the game.
You improve quickly.
Then suddenly…
You feel stuck.
Progress slows.
Frustration creeps in.
You have reached what we refer to in our coaching as the “Pickleball Plateau.” Fear not, however, for the Plateau is not forever. With a few tips – outlined below – you can move off the Plateau and continue your upward climb.
What Is the Pickleball Plateau?
The Pickleball Plateau refers to a common stage in a player’s development where skill improvement appears to level off.
Early in your pickleball journey, gains come fast. You learn the rules, basic shots, positioning, and scoring. Almost every session feels like progress.
Later on, improvement becomes more subtle. You may still be getting better — just not in the obvious leaps you experienced before.
This slowdown often gets mistaken for failure or lack of talent.
In reality, it’s simply how skill development works.
Plateauing Is Normal (And Not a Bad Thing)
Let’s clear up two important truths right away:
Everyone plateaus
In every sport and skill, players experience periods of rapid growth followed by slower progress. Pickleball is no different.
Plateauing doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong.
It means you’ve reached a new stage of learning.
The plateau isn’t a “you problem”
It’s not about age, athletic ability, or talent.
Most players hit plateaus because:
• They rely mostly on games instead of focused practice
• They don’t follow a clear improvement path
• They bounce between random tips and strategies
All fixable.
Are You Actually on a Pickleball Plateau?
Sometimes players feel stuck when they’re actually improving.
Before assuming you’ve plateaued, ask yourself:
Compare Your Progress with Video
Video never lies.
I once worked with a student who felt she hadn’t improved at all. We compared her current play to video from 90 days earlier — and the difference was huge.
Better footwork.
Cleaner shots.
Smarter positioning.
Seeing it side-by-side changed her entire perspective.
Has Your Competition Improved?
As you improve, you often start playing stronger opponents.
That can make it feel like you’re backsliding — even though you’re actually better than before.
My friend Scott is a perfect example of this. Scott is a solid player and a regular at Open Play in the mornings. He is one of the best (if not the best) players in that group. When he plays in our group, though, there are parts of his game that we can attack that the Open Play group is not able to exploit. The positive way of viewing this is that our group “pushes” Scott to keep growing as a player – which he is doing.
When better players expose weaknesses that weaker players couldn’t, it’s not failure.
It’s growth.
Are You Practicing or Just Playing?
Games are fun — but they’re not the fastest way to improve.
If most of your pickleball time is rec play with little focused drilling, your progress will naturally slow.
If you are not putting in some time drilling, then you may just be dealing with an expectations issue. Why would you expect to improve if you are not putting in the work?
Improvement requires intentional effort.
How to Break Through the Pickleball Plateau
If you’ve confirmed you’re truly stuck, here’s how to move forward.
Follow a Clear Improvement Path
If you want to reach a destination, you need a roadmap.
Many players struggle because they:
• Jump between random YouTube tips
• Try every new “hot strategy”
• Get conflicting advice from friends
Instead, focus on understanding how pickleball is built:
• Court positioning
• Shot selection
• Percentage play
• Strategy that works at all levels
When you have your path laid out in front of you, stick with it. Avoid the daily (hourly now) distractions of YouTube, Instagram, and even TikTok notifications offering you the latest and greatest. Also be wary of your email feed – that’s getting pretty hot and heavy with tips too.
And your friends at the courts? They are friends, sure. But did they all of a sudden turn into pickleball professionals who understand what you need to improve? I’m guessing no.
Consistency beats chaos.
Get Intentional Reps
Repetition is how your brain and body learn.
Pick one shot or skill to focus on:
• Third shot drop
• Dinking consistency
• Serve placement
• Transition zone movement
Then work it — over and over.
Think quality first, then volume.
I often recommend a 90-day focus:
Spend about 80% of your practice time on one key skill for three months. I guarantee you that at the end of 90 days you will notice a marked improvement with that shot.
Practice Strategy During Games
Improvement isn’t just physical — it’s strategic.
Growth happens when you:
-
Learn smart strategy
-
Apply it intentionally during play
Many players use strategies without understanding the why behind them.
One example of a misunderstood strategy is “drive the third drop the fifth.” This is not an incorrect strategy – it is just misapplied because players do not understand the underpinning of why pro players sometimes drive the third and drop the fifth. So the amateur player ends up just driving every third and trying to drop every fifth. Which is not the correct use of this strategy.
When you understand how pickleball is designed to be played — and consciously practice those strategies — progress accelerates.
Stay focused during play:
• Notice when you apply strategy well
• Recognize when you drift away from it
• Adjust intentionally
That awareness is where breakthroughs happen.
Moving Past the Pickleball Plateau
Plateaus are part of every athlete’s journey.
They don’t mean you’ve reached your limit.
They mean you’re ready for the next level of learning.
With:
✔ A clear improvement plan
✔ Focused repetition
✔ Strategic awareness
You will move past the plateau.
Pickleball is a lifelong learning sport — and that’s what makes it so rewarding.
There’s always another layer to master.
Ready to Move Past the Pickleball Plateau?
Most players struggle not because of effort — but because they don’t have a clear path.
At Better Pickleball, we teach a proven step-by-step framework that helps players understand the game, practice smarter, and improve faster.
Join thousands of players who’ve broken through their plateaus with structured coaching.
👉 Discover The Pickleball System and start improving today.
CJ Johnson
Hey there — I’m a professional three-sport athlete and coach who has spent my entire adult life earning a living from playing and coaching sports. Since I started coaching more than three decades ago, one thing has remained the same: My commitment to see students not as they are but as what they can become and to move heaven and earth to help them realize their untapped potential. You should know that when it comes to helping pickleball players over 50 live their best lives on and off the courts, I'm an expert. Good pickleball is not just technique; it's the mind and body working holistically. That's why I'm also a personal trainer and weight management specialist. When I’m chillin', you'll find me watching Star Trek with my husband John and our two fur babies, Shirley and Ralph. (Yes, Happy Days)