Becoming the #1 player on the APP Tour wasn’t by chance. It was a mix between smart training, mental growth, and habits that any player could use to enhance their game. Over the past few years I have learned what really separates elite pickleball players from the rest, so here are the five tips that helped get me to the top, and that can help you improve too!

1. Surround Yourself With G Players

Real progress doesn’t happen by winning every single game in your group, it actually happens by losing enough for you to learn, and winning enough to build your confidence. When I moved to Austin, Texas, I made a conscious decision to play with players who were already way better than me. That stretch of feeling like the underdog really forced me to speed up my development faster than anything else. Try to be the second or third weakest at practice. You’ll see improvements way faster and get more chances to play big points with top players.

2. Master the Mechanics That Others Ignore

In my opinion, succeeding in pickleball is all about the shots that most players tend to underestimate. Here are a couple of things that really transformed my game:

- Two-handed backhand: this shot gives consistency and power on both defense and offense, especially in tight angles.

- Spin on dinks and third shots: few players use spin intentionally, but it can disrupt an opponent’s rhythm and open up many opportunities.

- Ambidextrous play: Training both hands helps with court coverage, unpredictable angles, strategic hitting, and general athletic development.

Other important mechanics include footwork, grip, and contact point.

3. Build a Return of Serve That Works Under Pressure

A strong return of serve is the backbone of winning points before they even really start. Many of the top pros will tell you to “never miss a return” because they know just how important that shot really is. By practicing your return of serve and making careful decisions about your footwork, ball placement, and depth/spin, you can start turning weak returns into aggressive opportunities.

Focus on:

- Utilizing proper split step timing

- Taking returns with your forehand when it is possible

- Using a reliable two handed backhand for more tricky serves

- Having a plan about where you want your ball to go and how you want to follow up with it

4. Develop a Growth-Focused Mindset

There was a point early in my career where I was really terrified of losing. I’d tighten up on points that I thought mattered and every mistake felt like a failure. That all changed when I redirected my attention. I stopped playing not to lose, and started playing just to learn. Losing started to become feedback, and the pressure became opportunity. This mindset shift led to one of the biggest leaps in my career.

5. Record, Review, and Repeat

You are not able to improve what you don’t measure and track. When I started recording my matches and drills and watching them back, it helped me out so much! It's exactly like coaching yourself, just with objective eyes. When you see yourself play, you can see patterns that you easily miss live, such as:

- where your feet are

- how you set up your shots

- when you lose balance or control

- which mistakes are actually habits

Reviewing your own video should be a a non-negotiable part of your training. Whether it’s pulled from professional Championship Court feeds or an old iPhone at your local rec courts.

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Getting to be #1 on the APP Tour didn’t just happen overnight or in a day. It came from really hard work in practice, trying to be smart about my shot selection, having the right mindset and constant learning off the court. If pickleball is more than just a game to you, if it's something that you really want to excel at, then these tips can be used as a roadmap. Become a student of the game. Embrace all challenges, and always stay humble. You might be very surprised at how far this will take you.

To learn more about my approach to pickleball, strategic philosophy, and technical advice, check out my YouTube channel.