Pathway from Beginner to Advanced

Rookie to Champion!

KPC is dedicated to support player development by providing a clear pathway and a structure helps players at every level, from 1st timers to advanced. We have identified and described below 3 main levels of play and provide appropriate sessions for each level. Also we have a grading committee that identifies players that are ready to go to the next level. Watch the space for upcoming intermediate Drills & Play session.

LOW INTERMEDIATE

LEARNING THE GAME & BASIC POSITIONING

Can serve and return most balls.
Rallies are usually short.
Often stays away from the kitchen.
Backhand shot is inconsistent and avoided.
Limited dinking and soft game.
Level of unforced errors quite high.
Focus is mainly on keeping the ball in play.

INTERMEDIATE

UNDERSTANDS PICKLEBALL STRATEGY & AIMS TO IMPROVE CONSISTENCY

Moves to the kitchen more consistently.
Learns to direct return to opponent weak side.
Backhand used more often but still avoided.
Dinking rally & soft game improved but inconsistent.
Volley exchanges improved but inconsistent.
Ball pop-up and unforced errors still quite high.
Ball reset and ability to defend limited.
Starts to learn court positioning and recovery and communicating with partner.

ADVANCED INTERMEDIATE

PLAYS WITH MORE CONTROL & CAN EXECUTE STRATEGY

Serves & returns delivered with more potency and aim.
Can alternate third-shot drops and drives more easily.
More patient in dink rallies and soft game.
Start winning firefight and dinking rallies.
Start to recognise put away versus reset balls.
Ball pop-up and unforced errors are reduced .
Ball reset and ability to defend improved.
Court positioning, communication & with partner improved, winning strategies discussed.

Grading committee

According to the above chart, 2 clubs members, currently Yuka and Rod, are assessing KPC players on a regular basis and invite them to attend the next level up sessions when they're ready to move up. If you haven't been invited and you feel you have the skills, please talk to Yuka or Rod!

12 min Warm-up Gold Drill

To help to gradually increase your level, do this short, intense one one one warm-up that focuses on essential skills at every session.

2 min Agressive Dink: Dink the ball away from your partner aggressively and purposefully. Keep the ball inside the kitchen.
2 min Butterfly Volleys: 1 partner hits straight volleys while the other hits cross volleys. Aim for 20 rallies and swap.
2 min Transition Reset & Swap: 1 partner at the kitchen hits agressive balls to the other partner at the transition zone who resets the ball to the kitchen. Aims for 10 resets and swap.
2 min Baseline Dropshot & Swap: 1 partner at the kitchen hits long balls while the other partner at the baseline hits dropshots to the kitchen. Aims for 10 dropshots and swap.

And, whenever you can play skinny singles. It's an excellent game that makes you work on every aspect of the pickleball game. Ask committee members if you don't know the game.

For further info go to:

Pickleball Australia Skills Ratings / Pickleball Australia Rating Guide

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