Patience, Practice, and Pickleball: Trusting the Process on Court
Let’s be real for a second. Progress in pickleball isn’t always fast. At times, it barely feels like it's happening at all. Don’t stress. It’s happening and sinking in.
You’re showing up to open play, you’ve taken a few clinics or classes here and there. Maybe even bought one of those premium paddles with the new tech, usually an acronym like brand new A+PP Technology…I just made that one up (A+ for good, PP for Power and Precision). What do you think?! I digress.
You're still missing your third shots, popping up dinks, and watching others move up while you feel stagnant.
Sound familiar?
Welcome to the plateau period. Frustrating? Yes. Necessary? Yes and part of your pickleball journey. If you’re a 2.5 chasing 3.0, or a more advanced player looking for consistency in pressure situations, one thing is universally true: personal growth requires patience, practice, and trust in the process.
Patience: The Silent MVP
It’s easy to get caught up in the instant gratification of pickleball. We live in that world now. Amazon delivers the next day, doesn’t it? Like any sport that blends physical skill with mental discipline, there are no real shortcuts. It rewards those who are willing to be uncomfortable in the short term for long-term gains.
Think about the process of breaking old habits and finally seeing the pathway in front of you to higher level pickleball. Attacking from the transition zone constantly without progressing to the kitchen line = bad habit. Hitting a drop in the transition zone and winning a point at the kitchen line = breaking the bad habit.
Just because you're not seeing immediate improvement doesn't mean you're not improving.
Believe me when I say this. The understanding of sequences and formation of shots are forming in the brain. Muscle memory is building. Strategic shot selection is evolving.
Practice: Quantity vs. Quality
If you’re drilling, be intentional. Know what you’re working on and visualize using it in play — tournament or league, or even rec.
If you’re playing rec games, challenge yourself and dedicate yourself to something. Try this: Hit every third as a third shot drop, even if it wouldn’t typically be the right shot in match play. It is good practice. The situation for this may be a weaker team. Maybe it's dinking cross-court until the opponent makes the first move. You are practicing patience, cross-court dinks with depth and precision, and awaiting an opportunity.
You might make a mistake because it feels wrong. Uncomfortable. That’s ok.
Progress doesn’t come from staying safe and winning rec games. It comes from pushing boundaries, making mistakes, and learning from them.
Trusting the Process
Results almost never happen overnight. We are in a world of impatience. I mentioned quick Amazon deliveries earlier. On the court, how often do you see third shot drives? Most of the time now, in the era of the power paddle. Attack, attack, attack. Instant gratification yet again.
When you’re pushing yourself to improve, it takes time. If you’re starting to feel impatient, like it is becoming pointless and you’re not seeing results…DON’T give up! Here's how to stay grounded:
Zoom out. Instead of measuring your growth over a week, look back three months. Are you reading the game better? Making smarter decisions? Moving more efficiently through the zones of the court?
Celebrate the small wins. Did you reset the hard drive successfully? Keep your composure after a bad point? Those “small” wins are actually big — and crucial to becoming the better player you want to become.
Connect with others. Find a player who’s been through this journey. Talk to them. Listen to their stories of plateauing and breaking through. My dad always told me, “You have two ears and one mouth for a reason…listen.”
Slow Progress is Still Progress
Are you frustrated? Feel like everyone is evolving and passing you by? You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.
Now if you know me, I am not always a pure positivity kind of guy. I can be that Negative Nancy sometimes and I have to shake that out of me and wake up. So here is the thing to remember:
You’re showing up. You’re working. You have a goal. AND you are determined.
And that matters.
Pickleball rewards patience. The breakthrough will come. Believe that!
About the Author: Neil Friedenberg is a certified pickleball coach and Head of Education for Empower Pickleball. He is passionate about helping players of all levels grow their skills and confidence on the court. A lifelong player with deep roots in the sport, Neil also brings experience as a paddle company owner, blending technical expertise with a love for the game.