4.0 Pickleball Isn’t What It Used To Be

Something that has really struck me as of late is what a 4.0 player looks like now vs. what a 4.0 looked like just a couple of years ago.
It's like night and day. Differences include:
* Points are longer and more well constructed,
* Drops are better,
* Players are more capable transitioning to the NVZ line
* More dink exchanges,
* Hands have gotten faster and attacking has gotten better,
* Serves & returns are better
* etc.,
As I look around at 4.0 play now it’s clear to me that the players that do the best have one thing in common.
They are more patient.
They wait for the right opportunity to attack. They build an advantage in the point and wait to strike only at that time. Others pull the trigger too early.
So why are some teams more patient than others?
Is it discipline and dinking skills?
Are they simply the most willing to wait and patiently develop the point and be sure there is some "blood in the water", so to speak, before they make their big move?
Yes, that's all part of it. But there’s more to the story and that nobody talks about and that’s what we’re going to unpack in today’s video.
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[@steveguinsler4451]

Nicole you are a great communicator. Well organized and knowledgeable! Thanks for sharing.

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks Steve! I strive to do those things so I’m happy to hear it comes across.

[@nancycampbell1695]

Thank you for the tips and drills!

[@primetimepickleball]

My pleasure Nancy!

[@robertkribs9513]

The reason you get your point across so well is seated in your analytical nature. The coupling of concise language with example video footage is effective. This is one to watch a couple of times!

[@primetimepickleball]

Thank you! Very happy to hear that all comes across well.

[@carlrobichaud5611]

Such great content! Thank you.

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks for the comment Carl!

[@kbotelho27]

Understanding weither we are on offense, defense or neutral is so important and it is seldom discussed. Skill development is important and needs to be ongoing, however being in the right place on the court and hitting the right shot is the quickest path to playing at a higher level. It's difficult to choose the right pattern of play when you don't recognize you are in a defensive position for example. Thanks Nicole for making this an emphasis of instruction. Great job as usual with this video 👍

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks so much! Great summary... yes you are spot. Have to know where you are to chart a path to get where you want to go.

[@infopioneersinnovators4124]

This is a very helpful video, what a great commentator and instruct you are. PLEASE keep it coming… more videos !!! I love this game. I’m hungry to do better and stay out of the kitchen lol. I will practice skinny singles now which I did not have the chance to really do before…

[@primetimepickleball]

Awesome! Happy to hear that this resonated with you. I will keep it coming! 😊

[@kimcoleman8034]

As always Nicole, great content and clearly explained. Love love your work!

[@primetimepickleball]

thx! glad you like it.

[@pearleanamorris5410]

As always, Nicole is excellent at giving hints for one to improve his/her game.

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@tommyzai7038]

I don't want to play with anyone who's happy at their level . . . I want to keep improving and play with people who are trying to reduce bad stuff and increase good stuff.

[@primetimepickleball]

Awesome!

[@debraschwartz9048]

Sooo helpful

[@primetimepickleball]

I'm so glad!

[@jimkazmarek5302]

This video is only for a small number of players. Construct the point? Most don't know what that means? Practice, what's that? LOL 🤪 We do these drills and more. Keep score and play to 7 points. Makes the drills very competitive! Then, move on to the next drill. Skinny singles is one of the best games to play and warm up. I think every ball is mine when we play doubles Thanks Nicole 😊

[@primetimepickleball]

You make some great points Jim! lol. I'll have to keep that in mind and maybe make a list to make some of those videos. Always happy to hear that the drilling is in full force :). Thanks for the comment.

[@guyrestivo]

Nicole..thks for sharing all your expertise--it has helped me so much..i have an off-topic question though...can your partner be inside the kitchen while you hit a legal volley outside the kitchen..thks

[@primetimepickleball]

You're so welcome. Yes, your partner can be in the kitchen the whole point if they want, so can you in fact... as long as neither of you volleys from in there on any shot during the point.

[@janetallen5078]

Are you related to the 🏀 Great, Havlicek? Nicole, you are an excellent commentator/instructor. Would you consider a GROUP lesson if ever in our vicinity? Port Saint Lucie, FL.

[@primetimepickleball]

Sadly, no relation. That would be cool. Thanks so much for your kind words. I'm happy to hear my style works for you. I'm not doing on court lessons right now due to injury but it's something I'll definitely consider in the future. I'd be announcing that here when it becomes available: primetimepickleball.mykajabi.com/dominating-doubles-newsletter-optin-organic

[@bretwallach9863]

Scared of being attacked first? Not really. However, if I'm playing opponents who are substantially better at dinking and the soft game than I am, I don't think it makes sense for me to try and play the soft game with them, assuming I want to win*, right? I mean, exploiting opponents' weaknesses means avoiding getting into a position where I'm playing part of the game where they're definitely stronger than me. This is sometimes further exacerbated by my partner. I play a lot of open play and rotations. If my partner for a given game is stronger than me, great, then it makes sense to be more patient. If my partner's soft game is weak, then I have to take that into account as well. For example, if I hit drop shots or resets, even quite good ones, that are then dinked to my partner who then consistently pops them up and those pop ups are consistently slammed down our throats, it's my fault that the slams happened since my shots started the sequences that led to them. With the partner with the weaker soft game, I should stick to drives (and an occasional lob) even though with a stronger partner drop shots would've been the better choice. So, in summary, if my partner and I are not (too badly) outclassed at that soft game, then I'll be pretty patient. Otherwise, patience is a recipe for losing in a particularly humiliating way and I'll attack the first vaguely plausibly attackable ball. * If it was just me, I would rarely care about winning at all. Number of times I hit the ball per hour is #1 for me (so I actually prefer drilling to games) and working on shots and improving are #2 and #3. Unfortunately, partners and opponents almost always expect me to try and win so I usually defer to their wishes.

[@primetimepickleball]

Bret, Iove the way you think and approach things. I think you're spot on with all your points here. I especially like the part about you taking responsibility (whether it's really yours to take or not) for hitting a great drop that you just know (and does) get hit to you partner who pops it up right away even if they weren't pressed. Yes, you have to factor that in and adjust accordingly if you are seeking to win (even if it's more them that wants to win and you wouldn't mind practicing your drops and resets even if losing 👍). As always, love the deep and thoughtful comment. I always get a lot out of it. Thank you!

[@windowman9406]

I'm happy playing at my level...AND I want to get better. They're not mutually exclusive

[@primetimepickleball]

Ok, fair point. I was letting people know that the willingness to play soft is key to the next level and if they don't want to do it then that's ok. No disrespect intended.

[@windowman9406]

@@primetimepickleball none taken no worries

[@tsar5117]

Sounds like your butt hurt that your getting beat by 3.5 😂

[@jonarbuckle8003]

this is fine, as long as you realize your progress is going to be slower than somebody who plays better people and drills consistently

[@AlphaTennisinPittsburgh]

Pickleball is America's fastest-growing sport and we like it #Pickleball

[@primetimepickleball]

it is! Awesome.

[@Eric-Denton]

My guy touching the post during the point @1:51 is giving 2.0 energy… bro im trying for ATPs step back

[@primetimepickleball]

Lol! That’s Barry. He’s coaching them. Really good player and coach!

[@Rabit437]

What is this shot at 17:35 kzbin.info/www/bejne/immvc4quiL6dgtk looks a slice backhand drop volley but no backspin or side spin?? What is it called

[@primetimepickleball]

Yes, backhand slice drop volley. It looks to me like it did have a lot of backspin on it. She didn't swing much because she was trying to take all the pace off but she did cut it with slice as much as possible with her minimal swing and it helped the ball stay really low. Nice finesse from her on that one.

[@user-mx5vu4dx3j]

Are you related to basketball star John?

[@primetimepickleball]

Sadly no :(

[@donaldlenardson6291]

I want to play better than Ben John's.

[@primetimepickleball]

Don’t we all.

[@unvcht5046]

Wow I thought you were a guy lol but great video

[@FrancisTankana-jw6of]

It’s not a real sport …that’s the real issue😊😅

[@crgedney]

Obviously you don't play....

[@AlphaTennisinPittsburgh]

Pickleball is America's fastest-growing sport and we like it #Pickleball