Why Every Competitive Pickleball Player Needs an IDP
Most players train hard but never reach their full potential.
They show up, play, and hope they improve. But hope isn’t a strategy.
To compete at the highest level, you need a structured plan—one that identifies your weaknesses, maximizes your strengths, and creates a clear path for growth.
That’s where an Individual Development Plan (IDP) comes in.
This article will show you how to build your own IDP to systematically improve, train with purpose, and elevate your performance on the court.
Understanding the Pickleball Performance Model
Many players focus on the wrong things. They drill the same shots over and over but neglect the bigger picture of what makes a complete athlete.
To compete at an elite level, you need to develop in five key areas:
- Physical Performance – Your endurance, strength, speed, and recovery determine whether you can play at a high level for an entire match, or even a multi-day tournament.
- Psychological Performance – The ability to handle pressure, stay focused, and bounce back after mistakes separates good players from great ones.
- Intellectual Performance – Your daily habits, nutrition, hydration, sleep, and ability to learn from mistakes directly impact your energy and decision-making.
- Technical Performance – Your strokes must be consistent, efficient, and effective under game conditions.
- Tactical Performance – It’s not just about hitting great shots; you need to choose the right shot at the right time, anticipate opponents’ moves, and adapt on the fly.
Why This Matters: Ignoring any of these areas creates weaknesses in your game. The best players recognize their gaps and have a plan to improve all five.
Next, let’s assess where you currently stand in each of these areas.
Assessing Yourself – Where Do You Stand Today?
Most players think they know their strengths and weaknesses—but without a structured self-assessment, they’re just guessing.
The problem? Blind spots.
To improve quickly, you need a clear picture of what’s holding you back. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Rate Yourself (1-4 Scale)
- 1 – Needs Improvement | 2 – Sufficient | 3 – Excellent | 4 – Outstanding
- Score yourself on physical endurance, focus under pressure, shot consistency, positioning, and other key areas.
Step 2: Get a Coach or Skilled Third Party’s Input
- They will see things you can’t.
- A coach can confirm if your self-assessment is accurate or highlight areas you overlooked.
Step 3: Answer This Question:
“If I don’t achieve my potential, it will be because of ______.”
Why This Matters: This simple question forces you to confront your biggest limitations—so you can start fixing them.
Once you’ve identified your weaknesses, it’s time to prioritize what matters most.
Setting Priorities – What Areas Need the Most Work?
Trying to fix everything at once leads to frustration and slow progress.
The key? Laser-focus on 2-3 areas that will give you the biggest improvement.
Rule #1: Prioritize Development Based on Competitive Edge
- What will most impact your game? Stamina? Shot consistency? Shot selection?
Rule #2: Never Neglect Your Strengths
- Double down on what you’re best at. If your forehand drive is elite, make it unstoppable.
Rule #3: Set SMART Goals
- Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound
- Example: Instead of "get better at dinks," say, "Improve dink consistency to 80% in live drills within 4 weeks."
Why This Matters: Clear priorities = faster improvement. A scattered approach gets scattered results.
With your priorities set, let’s build your Individual Development Plan.
Section 4: Building Your Individual Development Plan (IDP)
A great plan is simple and actionable.
Here’s how to structure your IDP:
Step 1: Identify Specific Action Steps for Each Weakness
- Physical – Increase endurance → Add structured conditioning drills
- Mental – Improve focus → Develop pre-match mental routines
- Technical – More consistent third-shot drops → Focused drill sessions
- Tactical – Better doubles positioning → Film study & strategy work
Step 2: Implement a Feedback Loop
- Regular check-ins with a coach or mentor
- Tracking progress over weeks/months
Step 3: Adjust & Adapt Over Time
- Performance isn’t linear—some skills take longer to improve.
- Be flexible but stay consistent.
Why This Matters: Having an IDP keeps you accountable and ensures you’re training with purpose instead of just playing more matches.
Now that you have a plan, how do you execute it consistently?
How to Execute & Stay Consistent
The best plan means nothing if you don’t stick to it.
Most players start strong but lose focus over time. Here’s how to stay on track:
Rule #1: Use the 80/20 Rule of Training
- 80% of your time should go toward your biggest growth areas.
- 20% should reinforce strengths.
Rule #2: Build Accountability into Your Plan
- Check-in weekly with a coach or training partner.
- Track progress in a training journal.
Rule #3: Use Competition as a Testing Ground
- Apply training under real match conditions.
- Watch game film to see progress and adjust strategy.
Why This Matters: Players who train with a system and accountability make massive progress. Those who just "play more" stay stuck.
Let’s wrap it up.
Elevate Your Game with a Proactive Approach
The difference between good and great players is not talent.
It’s intentional development.
Your IDP is your roadmap to success. Use it, refine it, and watch your game evolve.
Next Step: Start your assessment today. Identify your weaknesses, build your plan, and take control of your development.
Your success starts now. Let’s get to work.
Author:
Erik Korem, PhD
CEO at AIM7
