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3.0 to 4.0—From John Cincola

1. Learning to Handle Pace & Drives

2. Reactive vs Proactive Play

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.

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.

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.

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.

Stacking Strategy—From Kyle Koszuta

• Basic Pickleball Positioning

• Normal Switching vs. Stacking

• How Stacking Works

• Benefits of Stacking

• Stacking On The Return

Hey guys, it’s Kyle from ThatPickleballGuy. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly what stacking is, why you should consider using this strategy, and how to exploit opponents who decide to stack against you. If you’ve been confused about what stacking is, that’s exactly what we’ll cover. Let’s dive in!

Basic Pickleball Positioning

Let’s start with regular pickleball positioning: in our starting position, I’m on the right, and my partner is on the left. In this setup:

• When our score is even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10), I’ll be on the right, and my partner will be on the left (Figure 1).

• When the score is odd (1, 3, 5, 7, or 9), my partner will switch to the right side, and I’ll move to the left (Figure 2).

This foundational “starting position” is key throughout the game, and returning to it keeps our positioning consistent as scores change.

Normal Switching vs. Stacking

In a typical game, after winning a point, players switch sides. This is how most players approach the game, playing interchangeably on both sides. We’ll call this the “normal world.”

Introduction to Stacking

Now, let’s introduce stacking. Stacking is a doubles strategy that allows each player to stay on their preferred side or “stronger side” throughout the game. For example, if my partner prefers the left and I prefer the right, stacking keeps us in those spots.

How Stacking Works

Stacking allows us to stand on the same side before the serve, which is completely legal (Figure 3). After each point, the server still switches sides, but once the serve begins, both players quickly move back to their preferred sides – my partner on the left, and me on the right (Figure 4). This lets us stay on our strongest sides throughout the game, maximizing our strengths.

Benefits of Stacking

Here are six key reasons why you might consider stacking:

1. More Length: A taller player often has better reach, making it advantageous for them to play on the left, where they can cover more of the middle.

2. Stronger Forehand: In mixed doubles, the player with a stronger forehand (often the man) might play on the left for stronger put-away shots.

3. Righty-Lefty Combination: Righty-lefty pairs can keep forehands in the middle, providing better coverage and offensive power.

4. Hide Weaknesses: If one player has a weaker backhand, stacking allows them to stay on the right side where they can rely on their forehand.

5. Highlight Strengths: Positioning a player with a powerful forehand or an aggressive Ernie player on their preferred side can boost team offense.

6. Switch Things Up: If one side is being overpowered, switching can provide a fresh look, potentially throwing off the opposing team’s rhythm.

Stacking On The Return

One of the most confusing parts of stacking can be figuring out where to stand when your team is receiving the serve, especially after a side-out. A good rule to avoid confusion is to remember your “starting position.” If you began the game on the right side, you’ll stand on the right when the score is even (0, 2, 4, etc.). If the score is odd (1, 3, 5, etc.), you switch sides and stand on the left.

The After-Return Switch

After returning the ball, you may choose to use an after-return switch. Here’s how it works:

• Before play starts, the player at the net signals to the returning partner whether to stay or switch. A fist means “stay,” and an open hand means “switch” (Figure 5).

• Once the serve is returned, the returning partner crosses over to get to their preferred side, and the player at the net who gave the “switch” signal would move to the right (Figure 6).

This switch allows the returning player to cover the middle momentarily as their partner moves to their side of the court, reducing any gaps in coverage.

Another Method: The Step-On Approach

To avoid any loss of visual contact with the ball, you can also try the step-on approach. In this method:

• The player waiting at the net stays off the court to the right.

• After the return, the partner quickly steps onto their preferred side without needing to cross in front of each other (Figure 7).

This keeps both players in position and ensures they never lose sight of the ball. However, it requires a strong, deep return to give the player at the baseline enough time to switch safely.

These techniques allow your team to stay on your preferred sides without missing a beat, keeping your strongest positioning intact while receiving the serve.

Wrapping Up

Stacking is a powerful strategy that allows you and your partner to play to your strengths, covering more court space effectively and maintaining better positioning throughout the game. If you have any questions or insights, let me know in the comments below!

Think you know pickleball inside and out? Challenge yourself with ThatPickleball IQ Test and see if you can score a perfect 10 out of 10! 

See you guys next time 👊🏻