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As a pickleball coach, one of the most common questions I hear from my students is, “How do I know I’m actually improving?” You may not always feel more confident, your shots may not look perfect, and some days you will play worse than the previous session. Improvement in pickleball isn’t linear. It happens quietly, sometimes in the background, and the signs of progress do not always show up as highlight-worthy shots or flashy winners.
I see improvement in my students constantly, even when they don’t recognize it. Over time, patterns emerge that tell me without question they have advanced. After coaching hundreds of players, from beginners to tournament competitors, I’ve identified several reliable signs that you’re getting better. Let’s take a deeper look at three of the biggest ones, plus a few bonus indicators that may surprise you.
1. You Are Playing Longer Points
This is one of the first and strongest indicators of improvement.
When players start out, rallies end fast. A missed serve return, a rushed shot into the net, or a wild forehand past the baseline. The moment the ball feels “too fast,” beginners tend to panic, shorten their swing, or just try to hit harder. That almost always ends the point in two or three shots.
As your skills grow, something changes. Your body begins to stay calmer. Your feet move where they should. You instinctively slow down and work through the point instead of trying to end it. Suddenly, rallies last six, eight, even twelve shots. To someone observing from the outside, they simply see a longer rally. But to me as a coach, that is one of the most beautiful signs of progress.
Longer points show that you are:
- Preparing earlier instead of reacting late.
- Placing the ball intentionally rather than just sending it back.
- Recognizing opponents’ weaknesses and applying pressure instead of swinging wildly.
- Transitioning into the kitchen rather than staying stuck in no-man’s land.
Most players don’t realize this is improvement because they think longer rallies mean they are not “finishing” points. But the point is not about finishing. The point is about earning control. When you make your opponent hit one extra ball, two extra balls, three extra balls, you are winning the mental portion of the match.
I tell my students all the time: pickleball is not about who hits the hardest; it’s about who makes the fewest mistakes. Longer rallies prove that mistakes are happening less frequently. That alone means you’re getting better.
2. You Are Winning More Than You Are Losing
This one seems obvious, but it is misunderstood. Winning doesn’t always have to mean winning matches crowned in gold and glory. It comes in stages.
First, maybe you used to lose to everyone. Now, you split matches with the same partner. Then you start beating players you used to avoid because they intimidated you. One day, you’re winning three games in a row, and you suddenly think, “Wait… am I actually good now?”
It’s natural to doubt that feeling. You might think the opponents were tired or they had a bad day. But no — you improved. You learned how to dink instead of hitting everything hard. You discovered how to slow the game down when you’re under pressure. You started to recognize when to attack and when to reset.
Winning comes from:
- Cleaner mechanics
- Better decision-making
- Reduced panic at net pressure
- Emotional resilience
Every new layer changes how the match unfolds.
One of the reasons people don’t believe they are improving is because they expect their results to feel dramatic. They expect an “aha!” moment or a sudden leap in talent. Most improvement doesn’t show up like that. Instead, it shows up quietly in your score. You simply stop losing as often.
Also note: improvement isn’t only measured by winning games. It can be measured by:
- Losing 11–3 last month but losing 11–9 today.
- Coming back from 2–8 to tie 8–8.
- Winning rallies against people who used to dominate you.
Score tells a story. Listen to it.
3. Your Opponents Start Playing More to Your Partner
This is one of my favorite signs, and players rarely notice it until I point it out.
When you first start, strong opponents will test you over and over. They’ll hit at you aggressively because they know they can break you. But at some point, something changes. They start directing pressure to your partner. They want you to move less. They want you to be taken out of rhythm.
Why? Because you became the stronger player on the court.
You might be hitting better resets. Your blocks no longer collapse. Your kitchen dinks land soft and controlled. You begin reacting naturally to shoulder-high attacks. Suddenly, the “easy target” is not you — it is someone else.
Players don’t voluntarily avoid you. They do it because you are:
- Hard to attack
- Consistent under pressure
- Comfortable at the kitchen
- Patient during long points
- Capable of putting away high balls
That shift is real. It is one of the clearest marks of improvement I see.
Bonus Indicators That You Are Getting Stronger
You stop swinging hard just because the ball is high
Beginners believe that every high ball is a winner. Advanced players know that many high balls are traps. When you start to slow down, aim, and place the ball rather than blast it, you are growing.
You are less afraid of the net
Early on, everyone wants to stay back. It feels safe. But pickleball is won at the kitchen. The moment you naturally transition to the net — rather than hiding behind the baseline — your game transforms.
You begin noticing your opponent’s weaknesses
When players first learn, they spend 100 percent of their attention on their own mistakes. You know you’re advancing when you start recognizing what other players do wrong and adjusting to their patterns.
You feel calm, not rushed
That mental shift is crucial. The court becomes quieter. You hear your breath. You see the ball clearly. You think in anticipation, not survival.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to see improvement?
It varies. Some players improve rapidly within a few weeks and then plateau. Others progress slowly but steadily over months. Consistency matters more than talent. Even two lessons per month combined with weekly play can produce noticeable progress.
Do I need private lessons to get better?
Not always — but they accelerate results. When you have an experienced coach watching you, you skip months of trial and error. I’ve seen students jump a full skill level in four to six lessons simply by correcting movement patterns and learning how to control the kitchen.
Is it normal to feel like I’m getting worse even while I’m improving?
Absolutely. Players hit a stage where their brain understands advanced tactics, but the body hasn’t caught up yet. You start noticing mistakes more clearly. That does not mean you’re worse — it means your awareness is improving, which always comes before execution.
How do I deal with frustration when I’m not playing well?
Everything in pickleball becomes easier when you breathe, reset, and stop chasing speed. Frustration usually comes from believing you must “win” points rather than earn opportunities. Use failure as information, not punishment.
How many times a week should I play?
Even two quality sessions per week can produce growth if you play with intention. Avoid random hitting. Try drills, match play with goals, and lessons where you receive feedback. Focus time beats high volume.
Should I only play with stronger players?
You should play with a mix:
- Stronger players sharpen your defense and patience.
- Equal players help you test decision-making.
- Weaker players teach you to control tempo and placement.
If you play only one type, your game becomes one-dimensional.
My Closing Thoughts
Seeing your improvement is not always obvious. Some days you will feel stuck. Some days you will feel unstoppable. Pay attention to the small clues:
- Longer rallies
- More wins
- Opponents avoiding you
Those are not accidents. Those are signs that your game is evolving.
If you’re unsure where you stand or you feel like you are close to the next level but don’t know how to break through, I would be happy to work with you. I’ve helped many students in the Tampa Bay area understand exactly why they are improving and what they need to do next.
You can schedule lessons with me here:
👉 https://igpickleball.com/pickleball-lessons-tampa-bay-fl/
I look forward to seeing you on the court.
Coach Igor
Picture Source: AI-generated