Pickleball has become a more popular sport nowadays and competition at a professional level is now more intense. It can be a little challenging to become a pro at the game of pickleball if you don’t come up with the right approach. It can be even harder if you want to ride the pickleball high with a 9 to 5 job.
Going after multiple dreams is possible in life but is it also true for pickleball? How can I become a pro player in pickleball? What is the best way to go? These are all the questions that keep hitting your mind when you desire to become a professional pickleball player. In the blog post, I’ll share some tips and great pieces of advice on how to become a pro in pickleball.
How to Become a Pro Pickleball Player?
Pickleball player proficiency level is measured on a scale of 1 to 6. To become a pro player you must reach a proficiency level of 4.5. When you join the sport professionally you will have to go through an evaluation process. On the basis of it, you are given a level of proficiency. If you are below 3.0 you need to do a lot of work to reach the desired level of proficiency.
Join a Club
Practicing alone will not help and this is true for any skill level. If you want to become a pro at pickleball, start playing in a competitive environment. Clubs provide you with professional-grade equipment and playing conditions that help you upskill your game quickly. Also, you get to play with experienced players that will help you uplift your game and figure out your weak points.
Pickleball Camps/ Clinics
If you work 40 hours per week or live in a small town you may not be able to join a pickleball club. Pickleball camps and coaching sessions arranged by different clubs in different parts of the country give you an opportunity to get better at the game. These long coaching sessions are organized by professional pickleball coaches. Under the guidance of pro trainers, you can work on your weaknesses and improve your game.
Pickleball clinics are short coaching sessions organized for beginners to intermediate players. The clinic is a 90 minute session with 60 minutes of instructions followed by 30 minutes of free play. Clinics are more cost-effective than pickleball clubs and camps and you can join a clinic when you are free. Also, clinics focus on particular aspects of your game giving you more problem-focused training and advice.
Know your Weakness and Work on Them
A weak point is acceptable when you are in recreational games or learning. But a pro player will take a few rallies to read your weak points and use them to push you on the back foot. If you want to improve your rating as a professional pickleball player, knowing and fixing your weak spots is crucial.
For instance, some players face difficulty in generating spin while others find it hard to return spin serves or spin strokes. Most beginners find it difficult to play in the kitchen or no volley zone. Talk to the pros at the club and they will help you figure out your issues. Practice hard to overcome your weaknesses.
Watch pros in Action
Watching professional players will help you adopt a realistic approach. Observe how they hold the paddle, what their body language is on the court, and what strategy they adopt in various parts of the game. Watching the players who are more experienced will help you understand how good you really have to be to reach pro-level ranking.
Play Against a Player Who is Better Than you
An easy competition can under shadow your weaknesses. So to test your abilities and figure out your weak spots you must play against a player who is more experienced and skilled.
Play in Competitive Pickleball Tournaments
Once you have covered all the basics of the game, it’s time to shake hands with the professional player. Playing in tournaments can help you more than any other coaching or practice session. But the question is how you get to play in the tournament. USA Pickleball Association organizes multiple tournaments in which players with different ratings participate.
On the official website of the USA Pickleball Association, you can find an online resource that enlists the tournament’s schedule. The qualification and evaluation process can be tough but if you are skilled enough you will definitely get the chance. The fee for entering different events varies between $50 to $100. Click on the link below and get yourself registered to sign up for different tournaments.
usapickleball.org/tournaments/2024-schedule
PPA Vs APP
Tournament selection and accessibility is the biggest challenge you will face in this process. PPA and APP are both professional pickleball tournament tours. APP stands for Association of Pickleball Professionals and PPA stands for Professional Pickleball Association. To participate in APP tournaments you must be a member of the USA Pickleball Association while PPA doesn’t have such requirements. Tour fees for both platforms are almost similar but PPA has better cash prizes.
Practice Hard
If you don’t practice you don’t deserve to win. Like any other sport, pickleball demands scheduled practice sessions. Join a 1-3 hour practice session at least twice a month to get your skills better.
FAQs
Yes, it is actually very hard to break into pro pickleball if you are a beginner. It takes a lot of time and money investment to achieve a standout rating in pro pickleball. Also, accessibility and selection of tournaments are other challenges you will face.
A 4.0 pickleball player is skilled enough to play in competitive environments with good skill and strategy. 4.0 players distinguish themselves from 3.5 players due to better strategy, more consistency, and better speed.
Wrapping Up
The process of becoming a pro pickleball player is harder than one may think. It is a big investment in terms of time and money. However, if you’re passionate and believe in your skills and abilities, nothing can stop you from turning pro. Start playing at a competitive level as soon as possible as recreational games can’t uplift your ratings.
I’m a passionate pickleball enthusiast with years of experience, dedicated to sharing the latest tips, strategies, and insights about the game. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, my goal is to help you enhance your skills and enjoy pickleball to the fullest.
