Why You’re Not Getting Better—And How to Break Through the Plateau


One phenomenon I’ll never understand is when someone does something a certain way, fails, repeats it the exact same way, and then gets frustrated when they fail again. This mindset shows up all the time in pickleball. If you hit a shot into the net, out, or simply somewhere you didn’t intend, why would you attempt the same shot the same way again and expect a different result?

If you're going to try it again, something has to change. Maybe you need to drop your paddle tip and come over the ball more. Maybe you need to bend your knees or follow through better. Small adjustments can make a big difference.

Which brings us to a key question:

How do you consistently execute shots that help you win more matches?

A lot of people know the answer to this question, but don't necessarily want to acknowledge it. The answer is you have to practice these shots over and over again. You do this by drilling.  

The number of balls you can hit drilling versus just playing rec games is incredibly large. 

When you're drilling, you're hitting purposeful repetitions of the same shot over and over. For example:

  • In 10 minutes of dinking drills, you might hit 300+ dinks.

  • In a full rec game, you might hit 20–50 dinks total, and most won’t be under pressure or placed intentionally.

Here’s a rough breakdown comparing 1 hour of focused drilling vs. 1 hour of rec play:

ActivityBalls HitPurposeful RepsFeedback Opportunity
Drilling1,000+HighImmediate & Repetitive
Rec Games200–300Low-MediumSituational & Sporadic

Drilling also isolates weaknesses. You can work on:

  • Drops in different places. 

  • Third shots with different spins and depths

  • Backhand rolls or resets in fast hands drills

Rec play gives you variety and pressure, but it’s not efficient for technical development.

In short:

If you want faster improvement, spend more time drilling than playing. Use rec games to test what you've drilled. 

While rec games are fun and offer real-time decision-making practice, they simply can’t match the volume, precision, and repetition that drilling provides. If you're serious about improving your game, especially specific skills like drops, dinks, or resets, drilling is the fastest and most efficient path forward. By intentionally building your mechanics through reps, you’ll be more confident and consistent when it matters most—on game day. So, hit the courts with a plan, and make drilling a core part of your training routine.

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