Pickleball is fun. It’s social. And it’s easy to feel like you’re improving just because you’re playing a few times a week.
But here’s the hard truth: playing more doesn’t automatically mean you’re getting better.
So how do you know if you’re actually improving—or just reinforcing the same habits on a loop?
We’ll break it down by category, give you specific technical indicators, and offer drills and benchmarks to track real progress.
First, Let’s Define “Better”
Before we go further, let’s clarify: What does “better” actually mean?
Real improvement in pickleball is measured in three areas:
| Category | What It Looks Like |
|---|---|
| Consistency | Fewer unforced errors, better resets, clean serves and returns |
| Execution | Correct technique under pressure—drops, volleys, lobs, and speedups |
| Decision-Making | Smart shot selection, better court positioning, and anticipating your opponent’s moves |
1. You’re Making Fewer Mistakes, Not Just Hitting More Balls
What progress looks like:
- Third shot drops are consistently landing in the kitchen
- You no longer pop up dinks or float returns
- You reset out of a firefight instead of panicking
How to Track Unforced Errors (U.E.s)
Recording your matches (even just with your phone) once a month can be a game-changer. But what should you look for when reviewing the footage?
Here’s how to define and tally unforced errors:
| What Counts as an Unforced Error? | What Doesn’t (Forced Errors) |
|---|---|
| Missed serve or return (with no pressure) | Missed return from a fast, well-placed serve |
| Pop-up on a dink without pressure | Pop-up off a difficult low dink from your opponent |
| Hitting into the net or out on an easy rally ball | Missing a difficult passing shot or a lob recovery |
| Overhitting a third shot drop when the court is open | Hitting a defensive lob that gets crushed—because you had no better option |
Tips for tracking:
- Use a simple tally chart: one column for U.E.s, another for forced errors.
- Set a goal: under 10 unforced errors per match is a great starting target for most rec players.
- Pay attention to patterns: Are you always missing backhands? Always netting third shots? That’s your next drill.
Over time, your total U.E.s should go down—and your confidence should go up.
2. You’re Playing Faster—Without Trying to Hit Harder
It’s easy to confuse speed with power. But real progress means playing quicker without muscling the ball.
Signs of progress:
- Your hand speed at the kitchen is up
- You’re using shorter, more compact strokes
- You’re anticipating attacks and countering without panic
Drill to try: Wall drills (like the “Dink-Speedup-Reset” cycle) help develop control at pace.
3. Your Third Shot Drop Doesn’t Feel Like a Gamble
Let’s be honest—when you’re learning, that third shot drop is 80% hope and 20% guesswork.
Real progress looks like:
- You can hit it with backspin and topspin
- You place it toward feet, not just “over the net”
- You recover and move forward after hitting it—without hesitation
Technical Tip: Use the “Golf Wedge” technique—keep your paddle angle steady and let your shoulder do the work. Add topspin when you want the ball to dip quicker.
4. You’re Making Your Partner Look Good
This is the underrated skill.
Signs of growth:
- You’re not stealing their forehand shots or collapsing into the middle
- You’re stacking or switching sides based on strengths
- You communicate before the chaos—not after the point
How to Track Your Team Win Percentage
Want a surprisingly useful way to measure your real contribution? Start tracking your team win percentage.
Here’s how to do it:
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1. Choose a sample size | Track at least 10–15 games with each partner for accuracy |
| 2. Record the partner | Use initials or names (especially helpful if you rotate partners often) |
| 3. Record the result | Win or loss per game (not per match), and whether it was rec play or competitive |
| 4. Calculate win % | Wins ÷ Total Games × 100 = Team Win Percentage |
Example:
You and “J.D.” play 12 games together. You win 7 and lose 5.
7 ÷ 12 = 0.583 = 58.3% team win percentage
That doesn’t mean you’re better than your opponents—it means you’re helping your team win more often. And that’s what counts in doubles.
5. You’re Winning Points with Setup—Not Just Finishing Power
What this means:
- You’re constructing points, not rushing them
- You know when to hold the line and when to speed up
- You can force an error with a well-placed dink or drop—not just a banger
Shot combination drill: Play practice points where you’re only allowed to win after 4 shots or more. This helps you build patterns and patience.
6. You’re Moving Like a Player—Not a Spectator
Watch video of top-level 4.5+ players. The difference isn’t just shots—it’s how they move.
Progress markers:
- You split step at the right times
- You shuffle at the NVZ instead of lunging
- You backpedal never—you turn and pivot like you’re supposed to
Footwork drill: Run kitchen-to-baseline suicides with split steps at each line. Add dinks or volleys between reps to build endurance and reactive movement.
7. You’ve Leveled Up Your Shot Arsenal
If you’re only relying on your forehand drive and hoping for pop-ups, you’ll stall out around 3.5.
Add to your toolkit:
- Roll volleys (especially on backhand)
- Topspin lobs (great against net huggers)
- Inside-out dinks
- Drop volleys
- Punch resets
Progress checklist:
- Can you hit at least 3 versions of each basic shot (drive, drop, dink)?
- Can you change direction comfortably on both forehand and backhand?
If not, now’s the time to add variation.
8. Your DUPR (or Rating) Is Climbing—for the Right Reasons
A rising DUPR or skill rating can be a powerful signal of improvement—but only if it reflects sustainable, transferable skills.
Yes, a win is a win. But a true performance rating (like DUPR) is most valuable when it’s tracking the how, not just the what.
Ask yourself:
- Are your wins coming from cleaner execution and smarter patterns?
- Can you still win when your power game or speedups stop working?
- Are your shot decisions holding up under pressure or fatigue?
If your answer to these is “yes,” then the climb is likely real.
What a Smart DUPR Increase Looks Like
Rather than just logging wins, focus on what should lead to rating growth:
| Real Progress | False Indicators |
|---|---|
| Winning against equal or higher-rated opponents | Repeatedly beating lower-level players |
| Competitive scores even in losses | Inflated wins with unbalanced matchups |
| Holding up in long rallies and pressure points | Winning via brute force and short points |
| Scoring in multiple ways (drops, resets, drives) | Relying solely on one weapon (power, lob, etc) |
| Contributing in doubles as both a playmaker & finisher | Playing one-dimensional or ball-hogging |
Tracking Your Rating With Intent
Use DUPR or a personal spreadsheet to go beyond the number:
| Track This | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Win/loss record vs. different levels | Are you consistently performing above your current rating? |
| Match difficulty (tight vs. lopsided) | A 11-9 win says more than 11-3 vs. a much lower-rated opponent |
| Shot quality and shot choice | Is your decision-making winning you points, or are you guessing? |
| Your impact on team win rate | Can you elevate a partner? Or only win when carried? |
Bonus: Skill Progression by Level
Here’s a quick view of technical progress by level:
Bonus: Technical Skill Progression by Level
| Skill Level | Core Abilities | Tactical Awareness | Shot Execution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 – 3.0 | Consistent underhand serve, basic forehand/backhand | Follows basic rules, limited positioning awareness | Can sustain short rallies, struggles with dinks/drops |
| 3.0 – 3.5 | Improved footwork, forehand/backhand accuracy improving | Begins understanding when to drop vs. drive | Dinks are cleaner, drops land ~50–60% of the time, occasional resets |
| 3.5 – 4.0 | Can hit third shot drops with intention, volleys improving | Court coverage improves, starts stacking when needed | Resets under pressure, initiates speed-ups selectively, lobs with purpose |
| 4.0 – 4.5 | Comfortable at NVZ, defends and attacks with control | Uses stacking strategically, reads opponent tendencies | Counterattacks cleanly, dinks with depth and spin, third shots land 70–80% |
| 4.5 – 5.0 | Controls tempo, anticipates patterns, manages momentum | Adapts mid-rally, sets up points proactively | High-quality drops, precise resets, hand battles won more often than lost |
Play With Purpose
The number of games you play doesn’t matter unless you’re using each one to learn. Don’t just ask yourself, “Did I win?” Ask:
- “Did I hit shots I’ve been working on?”
- “Did I reset instead of panic?”
- “Did I move smart?”
- “Did I make my partner better?”
If yes? You’re on the path.
Because real progress isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing it better.
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