5 Pro Strategies to Become a 5.0 Pickleball Player with James Ignatowich

Published: 2025-06-23

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If you've ever watched high-level pickleball and thought, “How do I get to that 5.0 level?” — you're not alone. James Ignatowich, professional pickleball player and rising star on the pro tour, has broken down five essential strategies that can help you elevate your game and compete with the best.

Whether you're grinding through 4.0 matches or already knocking on the 5.0 door, these tactics can help you take that final leap.

1. Master the Middle: Reset to the Center in Transition

One of the biggest differences between intermediate and advanced players is how they manage the transition zone — that tricky area between the baseline and the kitchen. James advises using soft drops or resets to the middle of the court when you're on defense.

Why the middle?

The net is lower in the center (34 inches vs. 36 inches on the sides).
It shrinks angles for your opponents, limiting their offensive options.

When you're retreating or transitioning forward under pressure, a well-placed soft drop to the middle is your best friend. It neutralizes the point and buys you time to move forward.

2. Be an Aggressive Right-Side Player

Old-school thinking said the right-side player should keep it safe and consistent — lots of dinks, few risks. Not anymore.

According to James, the modern game demands aggression from both sides of the court. Especially if you're a right-side player with a strong forehand, don’t be afraid to initiate attacks off dinks.

Aggressive right-siders:

Keep opponents guessing.
Control pace and rhythm.
Force errors with calculated speed-ups.

Even if you miss one here or there, the pressure you create makes it worth it.

3. Get Your Volleys Down, Not Hard

A lot of players believe that to win at the 5.0 level, you need more power. But James reveals a key separator between pros and advanced amateurs: volley placement, not brute force.

When you're countering a fastball:

Focus on contacting the ball out in front.
Prioritize hitting the volley downward into the court.
Avoid big swings — they slow you down and reduce control.

Pros are masters at staying compact and directing the ball down into the feet of their opponents. Start thinking less about power and more about control.

4. Hold Your Dinks to Disguise Intentions

At higher levels, pickleball becomes a game of deception. One of the best ways to gain an edge is by holding your dink just before contact.

Instead of automatically flicking it to a spot:

Add a slight pause to make your shot less readable.
Use your body to fake a speed-up or misdirect the opponent.
Make every dink feel like a possible attack.

This keeps your opponent on edge and gives you control over the tempo. The goal is to make them guess — and guess wrong.

5. Develop an Aggressive Two-Handed Backhand Dink

Last but not least, James emphasizes one of the most important tools in the modern pickleball arsenal: the two-handed backhand dink with topspin.

Here’s why it’s a game-changer:

You can generate topspin, which pushes your opponent back.
You threaten a speed-up, adding unpredictability.
You maintain better stability and control on low balls.

Unlike a one-handed slice dink, which telegraphs passivity, a two-hander keeps your opponent on their heels. Add it to your game and watch the rallies start tipping in your favor.

Final Thoughts

Reaching the 5.0 level in pickleball isn’t about mastering flashy trick shots — it’s about consistency, wise decision-making, and minor adjustments that add up. James Ignatowich’s tips give you a roadmap to start playing with the strategy and skill of the pros.

So next time you step on the court, remember: