Stop Losing Easy Points: Smarter Strategy for 3.0–3.5 Pickleball Players

In Partnership with
VKTRY: Performance Insoles
Hope Health and Wellness: Comprehensive Health Solutions
Diadem Pickleball Complex
GAMMA: High Performance Paddles
LifeWave: Elevate, Activate, Regenerate

Hey, it’s Bob.

Two quick updates:

1) I launched a new newsletter for 3.0-3.5 players trying to reach 4.0. Every Sunday, I break down one specific skill gap between levels. Subscribe only if you want skill- development content. Free guides included.

2)  If you’re looking for gear that actually makes a difference, the sponsor spotlight below is a great place to start.

In today’s issue:

by Steven Schnitzer

Why do some teams seem to own the kitchen while others never get there? Steven Schnitzer breaks down the positioning rule that shifts the rally odds in your favor. Read here.

I recently read an article arguing that long‑term pickleball performance depends primarily on building a bigger cardio engine. It’s a well‑intentioned piece — and there’s value in some of what it says — but it also repeats a common misunderstanding about what actually drives improvement and longevity in this sport. The truth is far more nuanced, and in several places, the article gets the priorities backwards. Here’s where the argument falls apart, and what players really need to focus on if they want to play better and play longer. Read here.

Lesson: Why Power Is the Last Thing 3.0–3.5 Players Need
Don’t add power until the ball, your balance, and your position all agree.

Lesson: Why Most 3.0–3.5 Players Rush the Kitchen—and Pay for It
You don’t earn the kitchen by moving forward—you earn it with your last shot.

Lesson: Why 3.0–3.5 Players Lose More Points by “Trying to Be Nice
Percentage pickleball wins more games than polite pickleball.

If you’re stuck in the 3.0–3.5 range, the problem usually isn’t your power, your hustle, or your sportsmanship—it’s the hidden habits that quietly cost you points. This week’s article breaks down three game‑changing mindset shifts that instantly make you tougher to beat. If you want the full breakdown (and future lessons that move you toward 4.0), you can read it and subscribe to my newsletter, The Next Step to 4.0, here.

Over the next three issues, we’re breaking down the third shot in a way most players have never been taught. This series looks beyond “drop vs. drive” to the deeper factors that distinguish 3.0–3.5 players from those at the 4.0 level.

We’ll start with The Third Shot as a Tempo Shift: How 4.0 Players Control the Rhythm of the Rally, then move into The Third Shot as a Prediction Game: How 4.0 Players Read the Point Before It Happens, and finish with a more playful (but painfully accurate) look at your shot selection in The Third Shot: It’s Not a Shot… It’s a Relationship Problem.

You can jump into Part 1, The Third Shot as a Tempo Shift: How 4.0 Players Control the Rhythm of the Rally here.

Some players chase 4.0 with youth on their side. Others chase it with busy jobs, cranky knees, or limited court time. And then there are the rare, inspiring few who prove that improvement doesn’t have an age limit. This is the confession of a 78‑year‑old pickleball addict who’s still drilling, still competing, and still hungry to get better — a reminder that the path to 4.0 is less about age and more about attitude.

That’s right—if you haven’t heard yet, DPC Coconut Creek is rolling out a brand-new 2026 clinic lineup featuring PPA pros Juan Benitez and Nicole Conard, alongside DPC Director Gene DeVito and teaching pros Amore Cook and Madison Henry.

With rotating clinics held daily, they cover everything from beginner fundamentals to advanced, pro-focused topics—there’s truly something for every level. Additionally, DPC now hosts 4 amateur tournaments each month, in addition to its highly popular seasonal six-week leagues. 

What are you waiting for? Jump on PlayByPoint and check the schedule for Diadem Pickleball Complex – Coconut Creek today. www.diadempickleballcomplex.com

Designed with a unique 38-hole, fully symmetrical pattern, CHUCK delivers a truer, more consistent flight than traditional pickleballs. Engineered to perform in both heat and cold, it resists warping and cracking for reliable, tournament-level play. With enhanced speed and durability, CHUCK helps players start every game with confidence.

Want to check it out? Use code PBPT20 at GAMMA for 20% off any purchase (excluding stringing machines). Might be the boost you’ve been looking for.

The companies that support this newsletter all have one thing in common: they help you feel better on the court and enjoy the game longer.

VKTRY Performance Insoles provide your feet with more support and spring, so quick moves feel easier and long sessions don’t leave you feeling worn out.

GAMMA paddles (especially the Knockout) are built for players who want dependable touch and put-away power without fighting their equipment.

LifeWave patches are used by players seeking more energy, improved mobility, and faster recovery between sessions—without pills or supplements.

Hope Health and Wellness helps players address the aches and nagging issues that come with frequent play, so small problems don’t turn into time off the court.

Supporting these partners helps keep this newsletter free—and gives you tools that actually show up when you play. Thanks for taking a look.

Susan Griard shares her personal experience using two non‑transdermal phototherapy patches and how they’ve improved her energy, recovery, and comfort during and after pickleball. She describes noticing improved stamina, reduced soreness, and better overall well‑being, and encourages viewers to contact Leah for more information on how the patches work. Play stronger. Feel better. Live fuller.. https://lifewave.com/leahstasney

The Boca Open will take place February 26 through March 1, 2026, at Patch Reef Park in Boca Raton. REGISTER HERE.

On Thursday night, Feb 26, is the Ivan Lendl Charity Pickleball Exhibition to support Ivan's charity, the Adaptive Sports Program. To attend and/or donate to this great cause, CLICK HERE.

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If you’re enjoying these insights and want a deeper dive into the skills that move players from 3.0–3.5 toward 4.0, I’ve started a new free newsletter where I break it all down in a more focused way: The Next Step to 4.0. You can subscribe here.

If you ever want to explore more resources, clinics, or ways to work with me, everything is on my site: The Next Step to 4.0. Until next time…

—Bob