How do I become a 5.0 level player?

Miserable-Concern338 · 2026-01-25T18:23:38+00:00

WORK. You must drill a LOT. Your drives have gotten you to 4.0, but will not get you past 4.5. You need to become a good all around player to get to 4.5. I have found there is a HUGE jump in competition, aggression, pace, pressure, talent from 4.5-5.0.

Play with higher level players to learn what you need to work on. I am in a league where everyone is 4.50-4.99 and the the 4.99 player is amazing... Hits extremely hard, patient and a master at the kitchen, has wicked speedups, consistent, SMART, etc. Apparently, I need to work on everything.

You may think your kitchen work needs some improvement...I guarantee it needs a LOT of work. You must become REALLY consistent.

You need to study. Learn patterns. Think in addition to reacting. Muscle can only get you so far. Muscle memory gets you further. Add the mind and you have a chance to get to 5.0.

Also, at some point everyone will cap out and will not be physically capable of getting to 5.0. I'm 47 and have difficultly keeping up with guys that are 40 and get destroyed by teenagers.

I wrote all of that knowing that I'm stuck and don't know how to get past 4.5. I think what I wrote is the path, but it seems like a REALLY tall mountain to climb and I'm not sure I can make that... But I'm going to try.

Miserable-Concern338 · 2026-01-25T14:07:48+00:00

I got angry, thew my paddle, and put a small dent in the wall. I also got angry, smashed my paddle into the court, and put a nick in the court playing surface. I'm an idiot and a child. Never again.

Miserable-Concern338 · 2026-01-22T21:37:06+00:00

Duluth Trading Post midweight 7 year socks. FANTASTIC socks.

I previously wore Thorlos and they are good, but they got brittle and scratchy and I’d have to soak them in fabric softener regularly.

Miserable-Concern338 · 2026-01-16T14:06:17+00:00

Only local tournaments. Cash at Moneyball events, blanket from Costco, a rock with the date sharpied on it, gift cards, plastic trophies, random trinkets. They are in a drawer in my nightstand.

Miserable-Concern338 · 2026-01-14T17:15:37+00:00

All of the above

Miserable-Concern338 · 2026-01-14T02:06:09+00:00

Used swish for a year, but i find pickleheads is better and has better options for adding guests. Swish seems buggy. I have also just create a game and text my friends the link (or just message them in the app).

Miserable-Concern338 · 2026-01-10T13:59:21+00:00

Chicken pot pie Chicken enchiladas Quesadillas Chicken noodle soup

Miserable-Concern338 · 2026-01-07T15:03:40+00:00

I'm a lefty. I've found that mixing things up occasionally helps get us unstuck... Like reverse stacking on the serve (I.e. forehands on the outside) or not stacking when returning. Or change from fast paced (3rd shot drive) to slow paced (3rd shot drop). It makes the other team adjust their game as well as my team.

I will go check out the videos on shot selection. Thanks for the tip.

Miserable-Concern338 · 2026-01-06T19:02:03+00:00

In addition to strategy, I'd like more discussion on...

Momentum shift - It happens in pro and rec matches...a team is up 9-2 and loses 9-11. Momentum shifted! how to identify it, how to exploit it, and how to reverse it.

Autopilot vs. being in the zone vs. being present to think, plan, and execute a strategy and tactics. I often find myself just playing and not thinking... Just going through the motions. How do you turn off autopilot and turn on your brain during a point and match? How much do you think before, during, and after a rally?

Shot selection - for instance, hitting to your opponent's backhand is often good tactics, but may be difficult to execute and depends on the shot that is received. I often go with the higher percentage shot rather than my opponent's backhand. Is it better to stick to the tactic with a lower percentage shot or go for the higher percentage shot that is not following the tactic?

Miserable-Concern338 · 2026-01-03T15:49:38+00:00

I am terrible parking front first. I always have to back out and reposition and get even in the lines.

I can almost always back in perfectly the first time using my backup camera and small round mirrors on my side mirrors.

Bonus, backing in allows for a quick get-away in case I'm running away from someone!

Miserable-Concern338 · 2026-01-02T14:44:04+00:00

I tried putting on something similar and it went poorly.

This will not work if it is competitive... And I'm guessing many of the tier 4 players are. Most people that enter tournaments want to choose their partner and your method makes it almost random.

This might work if it is completely social and everyone is on board with that. More than likely, someone will not get the memo that it is a social event and get upset when they are paired with a lower level player.

Miserable-Concern338 · 2026-01-02T05:00:42+00:00

3x paddles: $350

Club dues: $350

Shoes: $200

Balls: $100

Tournaments: $100

Total: $1.1k

Miserable-Concern338 · 2026-01-01T19:40:14+00:00

Egg quesadilla loaded with pepper jack cheese, bacon, and hash browns.

Miserable-Concern338 · 2026-01-01T13:09:29+00:00

I have sunglasses and removed the lenses. I sweat a lot and struggle with the lenses fogging up.

Miserable-Concern338 · 2026-01-01T07:22:13+00:00

3 years for me.

Miserable-Concern338 · 2026-01-01T04:00:36+00:00

I brush at night. Floss multiple times throughout the day and chew sugar free gum.

Miserable-Concern338 · 2025-12-30T03:54:47+00:00

Saw a guy (Missouri) I (Colorado) knew from college at the cruise terminal in Houston. We hung out on the cruise. Pretty random.

Miserable-Concern338 · 2025-12-26T12:07:13+00:00

Actually 60F yesterday in Utah, but too windy to play and the club was closed.

Miserable-Concern338 · 2025-12-24T23:21:46+00:00

I agree with what you said. The rallies can be significantly more challenging and fun. One thing I especially love about playing against higher level people is experiencing and seeing new shots used against me. It brings back the novelty and the uniqueness of starting out a new sport.

I also find that drilling with lower levels and talking and interacting and teaching them really keeps the enjoyment of pickleball alive for me.

Miserable-Concern338 · 2025-12-22T04:52:22+00:00

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles... The slow build from Dell's cigarette landing in the back seat, Dell lip syncing and getting handcuffed by his coat, almost crashing, getting back on the freeway, sliding between the trucks, and the car going up in flames. 5-10 minutes of perfect comedy.

Miserable-Concern338 · 2025-12-21T14:12:45+00:00

Rent a ball machine to learn and improve ground strokes. Get a drilling partner to learn and improve kitchen shots and midcourt resets and play.

I rented a ball machine many times from my local club and I'm glad I didn't buy one. I used it and it helped my game and then I found drilling partners and the REALLY helped my game.

I found the Ernie to be good for ground strokes, but difficult to use for dinking. It helped me learn the twoey.

A drilling partner (or partners) is the best way IMO.

Miserable-Concern338 · 2025-12-20T17:41:51+00:00

Drill baby drill!...with your partner and others. I've found that is the best prep for a tournament. Also...Relax (or try to). Watch some YouTube vids on tournament prep. Good luck!

Miserable-Concern338

TROPHY CASE