What it takes to become a 4.5 level pickleball player

Frank Hines

Contributor

Last Edited

Sep 01 2025

Serves, returns, thirds and fourths

A true 4.5 level player will hit the majority of their serves and returns with depth and pace. This player will also be able to hit a mix of drives and drops on their third shot in order to keep their opponent guessing. They will use their third shot strategically to either apply pressure to their opponent or take space away on the court while they work their way to the kitchen.

Lastly, the returning team will use their fourth shot to keep their opponents back, not giving them an easy invitation to the kitchen line. They will look to take balls out of the air and apply pressure whenever possible.

Read next: How to know if you've reached the 3.5+ level in pickleball

Forehands, backhands & volleys

Knowing how and when to use certain shots during a rally is a key characteristic of a 4.5 player.

Forehand shots have a high level of consistency even with pace on them. These shots are used to create errors or strategically to set up another shot. Whether this be a drive, drop, reset, or put away, forehand shots at this level are strong, powerful (when needed) and repeatable.

Backhand shots should be consistent as well. The ball should have depth and pace, you should be able to pinpoint spots on the court to hit to and it should be on command. Your backhand should be used effectively to block speedups or hard volleys with the option to counter when available.

As for volleys of your own, you should be able to put away balls with ease, especially overheads. When being attacked off a volley, blocking and dropping them into the kitchen should come relatively easily.

Read next: How to know if you've reached the 4.0 level in pickleball

Dinking

4.5 players are able to not only just get the ball over the net, but do so in an offensive manner with a high level of success. They are able to place the ball around the kitchen and change the types of dinks they hit on a consistent basis.

A 4.5 level player will be able to recognize when certain dinks should be hit over others, such as offensive versus defensive. They are also looking to attack balls and take them out of the air when warranted.

Shot selection & footwork

At the 4.5 level, players should have a wide array of shots at their disposal. The key differentiator here between a 4.0 and a 4.5 is their choice of which shots to hit.

A 4.5 player will choose the right shot for the situation more often than a lower level player. They will understand the situation intuitively and hit the smart shot.

At this level, players will be able to move all around the court with ease. They will have a high level of lateral, backward and forward movement that allows them to be in a good position most of the time. They will be able to change direction with ease and understand how to position themselves based not only on the shots they hit, but also the ones their partner hits.

Game awareness & partner communication

Being able to move as one is a massive trait at the 4.5 level. You and your partner are in sync with one another, covering the middle when needed, shifting to cover the line, and even letting balls go when you know your partner can have a better shot at it.

These players understand and can effectively “stack” in game while also knowing when and how to use that strategy effectively.

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of opponents is a defining skill of a 4.5 level player. They are able to identify areas in their opponents' game to exploit while also avoiding areas of strength. They will adjust their shot selection based on their opponents' court positioning to create openings in the court and force errors.

Adapting to different styles

Being able to adjust on the fly with ease is a true sign of a 4.5 player. They are able to identify what type of players their opponents are quickly and adjust their play style accordingly.

In certain situations, these players are able to completely neutralize their opponents' style rather than adjusting themselves.

The coveted 5.0 level

It is crucial to understand what separates a 4.0, 4.5 and a 5.0 level player. The jump from 4.0 to 4.5 is big, but the next step is even bigger. 5.0 level players demonstrate all the characteristics of a 4.5 but they do so with more consistency and they do it with force. A lot of it. 4.5 level players have truly developed the majority of shots, strategies, and game styles in pickleball. They are high level players and are able to compete with most anyone, but a 5.0 level player is in another league. They are able to execute, adapt and finish in a near expert fashion.

Summary

The key takeaways here are consistency, shot selection and strategy. Honing your skills came along the way in your journey, now it’s about more than just hitting good shots. It’s about being able to repeat those shots and do it in a way that gets your opponents on their heels.

If you think you’ve got the skills, but lack one of those 3 areas, then keep going. The answer is focus -- stay focused on your progression and learn from your mistakes.

Whether you’re right at the edge or just getting over the 4.0 hump, remember that it’s not about being perfect. It’s about doing the right thing over and over again until it’s not just natural -- it’s impulsive.

Frank Hines loves the game of pickleball and sharing that passion with as many people as possible. He found the game over two years ago and hasn't let up since. Follow Frank on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

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