3 Skills to Level Up from 3.0 to 4.0 in Pickleball

Photo by Bruce Yeung; IG:@yeungphotography

1. 1. Learning to Handle Pace & Drives
2. 2. Reactive vs Proactive Play
3. 3. Dinking with a Purpose

Hey guys, it’s John from John Cincola Pickleball. The transition from a 3.0 to a 4.0 level in pickleball can be one of the most challenging in the sport. In this article, I’ll share my top three skills to break through this barrier and reach that 4.0 level.

There’s a massive population of pickleball players in the 3.0 to 4.0 range, and there’s endless information out there—YouTube videos, coaching tips, and advice—to try to help you get over the 4.0 hump. The problem is knowing what to focus on and how to practice effectively. So, here are the top three things I believe will help you progress from 3.0 to 4.0.

1. Learning to Handle Pace & Drives

The first skill we’ll focus on is learning to handle the drive. This is important because new players, especially athletic and ex-tennis players, often start with strong drives. If you can’t handle those, you’ll struggle against newer players who come into the game with strong hits. Handling pace is crucial, and the best place to start is by practicing against drives, which gives you distance to react and perfect your technique.

Photo by Kerry Pittenger; IG:@
kerry_pittenger_pickleball

Drill #1 Don’t Panic

I’ve got a couple of drills for this. The first one is called “Don’t Panic.” Here’s how it works: you stand at the kitchen line, while your partner is at the baseline and drives the ball at you as hard as possible (Figure 1). Your goal is not to react until the ball is halfway to you. The reason for this is that many players tend to panic, tense up, and guess where the ball will go before it actually arrives. This drill helps you delay your reaction, so you’re seeing where the ball goes before you react, rather than guessing.

(Figure 1)

Drill #2: Tip to the Ball

The second drill is called “Tip to the Ball.” This drill is similar in setup, with you at the kitchen line and your partner driving from the baseline. As the ball comes, you keep the tip of your paddle pointed at the ball as long as possible (Figure 2). This helps limit backswing and excess motion, keeping your paddle in front and reducing unnecessary body movement. It’s a great way to keep volleys more controlled and out in front of you.

(Figure 2) John Cincola Pickleball

2. Reactive vs Proactive Play

Now, here’s the second skill: moving from being reactive to proactive on the court. Imagine playing two-on-one or using a paddle half the size of your opponent’s; it wouldn’t be easy, right? Playing reactively—waiting to see what the ball does before moving—puts you in a similar disadvantage. Most 3.0-3.5 players are reactive, watching and waiting for their opponent’s shot before they decide what to do. In contrast, 4.0+ players are proactive, using the time after they hit the ball to position themselves, anticipating the next shot, and staying active on the court.

3. Dinking with a Purpose

Finally, the third skill is “Dinking with a Purpose.” When I first started, I was taught to be consistent with my dinks—to avoid popping the ball up or missing. While these are good basics, I found that just trying not to make mistakes limited my game. I realized I needed to focus on what I wanted to do with the ball: where to place it, how high it should go over the net, what spin to add, and how to challenge my opponent with my dinks. This mindset shift helped me dink with intention, rather than just keeping the ball in play.

Practice Drill for Purposeful Dinking

To practice this, set specific goals: try dinking to specific cones, keeping the ball no more than six inches above the net, or adding topspin. These targeted drills will help you develop precision and purpose in your dinking game.

Thank you for reading! Be sure to grab a screenshot of these drills and tips to reference on the court. See ya next time.

For exclusive content and full-version tutorials, make sure to check out my YouTube channel, ➡️ John Cincola Pickleball.