Three Key Differences between a 4.0 and 5.0 Pickleball Player

If your goal in pickleball is to get over the hump and finally achieve a 5.0 rating, keep reading. This game is addicting because you can see improvement quickly. However, one of the hardest jumps is going from a 4.0 to a 5.0.

Here are the three main differences between these two levels.

Generating and handling pace everywhere on the court

A 5.0 pickleball player can hit the ball hard from anywhere on the court. They have a strong and deep serve and return, they can drive the ball from the baseline effectively, and at the kitchen, they can use their length to create power, both out of the air and off the bounce.

At the 4.0 level, a player usually produces power off the drive but lacks the finesse to speed up effectively at the kitchen. Typically, their serves and returns are weaker and more attackable.

The biggest difference when it comes to pace is how they handle it. A 5.0 can manage pace without being overpowered. Not only can they defend and counter in hand battles, but they also have the ability to reset the ball from both the baseline and the transition zone.

At the kitchen, they are ready for speed-ups and easily defeat “bangers,” players who rely solely on hitting the ball hard. A 5.0 has excellent defense and uses their athleticism and touch to stay alive in points.

Overall, a 5.0 won’t lose due to pace alone.

On the other hand, a 4.0 player is prone to being overpowered. They lack the hand speed to engage and sustain fast hands battles. They can be hurt by heavier serves and returns and struggle to keep longer rallies alive when defending against slams or overheads.

Their biggest challenge comes from the transition zone, where they cannot hit consistent resets to neutralize pace.

They Are Significantly Less Consistent

A 5.0 player rarely makes unforced errors and forces their opponents to beat them. Regardless of the score, they consistently make third shots and almost never miss serves or returns. They can stay in long dink rallies without missing and make resets from the transition zone look easy.

A 4.0 player, on the other hand, is significantly less consistent. They are generally steady from the baseline but struggle to keep the ball down and unattackable as they move closer to the net. The biggest difference is in unforced errors. A 4.0 player has more weaknesses, resulting in more unforced errors, especially at key game moments.

They are prone to missing returns, serves, and third shots in critical moments.

To improve consistency in pickleball, you need to drill. Work on those difficult shots and situations that typically result in errors. A great example is resetting the ball from the midcourt or transition zone, a shot often neglected by lower-level players, who are more inclined to drive the ball from the midcourt.

Against better players, this results in the ball being hit hard back at them, leading to an error or failure to reach the kitchen. If you’re a 4.0 and want to gain consistency, drill until you can make shots on command in all types of situations.

Want some drill ideas? Try these:

Well-Roundedness and Decision-Making

If you take away anything from this article in your pursuit of 5.0, let it be this: one of the most important differences between a 4.0 and a 5.0 is that a 5.0 player is more well-rounded and makes better, smarter decisions.

Let’s talk about well-roundedness first. Most 4.0 players are one-trick ponies. They can dink all day but have no offense. They can drive the ball well but can’t hit a reset from anywhere on the court. They have a great forehand but are a liability if the ball finds their backhand.

In contrast, a 5.0 is extremely well-rounded and can adapt to what their opponents are doing. If they face bangers, they can slow the game down, force soft shots, or use their opponents’ pace against them. If they’re playing great dinkers, they find ways to create offense. Their wide skill set and consistency give them an edge against all types of players.

Additionally, 5.0 players make better decisions.

A 4.0 player is prone to hitting the wrong shot at the wrong time. Instead of staying in a dink rally, they’ll speed up because they’re bored or don’t trust their dinking ability. Instead of resetting from the transition zone, they’ll speed up and get slammed. Instead of hitting a third-shot drop, they’ll keep driving the ball and fail.

A 5.0 player, on the other hand, is sound in their decision-making. They know when to hit what shot and are able to execute. They don’t give their opponents easy points.

If you're ready to make the leap from 4.0 to 5.0, focus on refining your consistency, mastering pace control, and sharpening your decision-making—because those are the keys to leveling up your game.