So, you’ve learned the rules of pickleball, mastered the basics of serving, returning, and rallying, and can hold your own in casual games. Now what?
For many players, there comes a point where they want more than just hitting the ball back and forth. They want to win matches, compete at a higher level, and start thinking strategically. That’s where our Beyond the Basics program comes in—a step-by-step approach to help you transition from casual play to competitive-style pickleball with confidence.
If you’re ready to refine your skills, build smarter strategies, and truly elevate your game, this stage is for you.
Why Go Beyond the Basics?
The beginner stage is fun—you get hooked on the game, enjoy social play, and build fundamental skills. But at some point, players realize that rallies are short, points are lost on easy mistakes, and games feel repetitive.
Going beyond the basics means learning how to:
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Control the game, not just react to it.
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Develop strategies that win points, not just keep the ball in play.
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Work with your partner as a team, not just two individuals on a court.
This shift is what separates casual players from competitive players. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being purposeful.
What You’ll Learn in Beyond the Basics
Our program is designed to build the skills and mindset that take you from beginner to confident competitor. Here’s what we focus on:
1. Strategic Shot Placement
Beginners often just hit the ball back without much thought. At this stage, you’ll learn how to place shots with purpose—whether it’s aiming at your opponent’s weaker side, finding open spaces, or forcing them into tough positions.
Smart shot placement makes rallies longer and gives you control of the pace. It’s the difference between just “getting the ball over” and playing chess on the court.
2. Controlling the Pace of the Game
Pickleball is about rhythm. If you let your opponent dictate the speed, you’ll always be playing catch-up. In Beyond the Basics, we teach you how to slow down when needed and speed up when the opportunity is right.
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Use soft shots like dinks to neutralize power players.
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Speed up with drives and volleys when the chance to attack comes.
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Recognize when to change gears in the middle of a rally.
Learning pace control gives you a whole new level of confidence.
3. Court Positioning and Teamwork
Pickleball is not a one-person game—it’s a doubles sport at its core. Many beginners stay glued to the baseline or wander around the court without purpose.
Here, we teach:
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The importance of getting to the kitchen line.
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How to move with your partner as a unit.
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Where to position yourself in offense vs. defense.
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When to switch sides or cover gaps.
Proper positioning not only improves your defense but also creates more opportunities to attack.
4. Handling Common Game Scenarios
Every game comes with tricky situations—fast volleys at the net, deep lobs, or opponents who play with lots of spin. Beginners often panic in these scenarios, but Beyond the Basics gives you a toolbox of solutions.
You’ll learn:
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How to defend against aggressive “bangers.”
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The right response to lobs and overhead smashes.
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Resetting the rally with soft shots when under pressure.
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Turning defense into offense with smart counterplays.
By rehearsing these situations, you’ll stay calm and confident when they happen in real games.
The Mental Game: Thinking Like a Competitor
Beyond the Basics isn’t just about physical skills—it’s about building the mental side of pickleball.
At this level, you’ll start to think like a competitor:
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Reading your opponent’s tendencies.
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Anticipating shots instead of reacting late.
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Staying patient during long rallies.
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Managing nerves in close games.
This mental toughness is what allows players to perform consistently, especially in competitive play.
Drills That Make a Difference
A big part of going beyond the basics is structured practice. Some of the drills we focus on include:
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Third Shot Drop Practice – Controlling the transition from baseline to net.
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Dink-to-Attack Drills – Soft play until the right opportunity arises.
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Crosscourt Placement – Targeting specific areas for accuracy.
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Transition Zone Training – Learning to move from defense to offense.
Drilling with purpose turns your game from inconsistent to reliable.
Common Mistakes Players Make (and How We Fix Them)
Many players get stuck at the beginner-to-intermediate stage because of bad habits. Here are a few we correct in Beyond the Basics:
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Always staying back at the baseline. We teach you to move forward strategically.
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Hitting too hard all the time. Instead, you’ll learn when to slow down.
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Ignoring teamwork. Success in doubles comes from communication and coordination.
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Lack of patience. Winning players know when to wait for the right shot.
By addressing these habits early, you’ll avoid plateaus and keep progressing.
Who Is This Program For?
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Players who already know the rules and fundamentals.
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Beginners who are ready to take the next step.
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Social players who want to enter more competitive games.
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Anyone aiming to reach a 3.0–3.5 skill level.
If you’re past the “just learning to play” stage and want to sharpen your strategy, this program is built for you.
Why Beyond the Basics Matters
Pickleball is growing fast, and so is the level of play. What worked in casual beginner games won’t hold up against experienced opponents. Beyond the Basics prepares you for that next level—so you can:
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Enjoy longer rallies.
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Win more games.
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Compete with confidence.
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Keep growing as a player.
It’s the bridge between casual fun and serious play.
Final Thoughts: Time to Level Up
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world because it’s simple to learn yet endlessly rewarding to master. Going Beyond the Basics is the natural next step for players who love the game and want to keep improving.
You’ll learn to think strategically, play confidently, and work as a true teammate on the court. You’ll stop reacting and start controlling the game. And most importantly—you’ll discover how much more fun pickleball becomes when you have the tools to play at a higher level.
👉 If you’re ready to stop playing like a beginner and start competing like a strategist, join our Beyond the Basics program today. The journey to the next level starts now!
