👀I’ll Probably Get Hated for Saying This but Recreational Play Is Killing Your Game
- Tom Kiat
- Aug 3
- 3 min read
Let’s get one thing out of the way: I love pickleball. I love what it’s done for the community, for older athletes, for families, for people coming off of injury, and for those who just want to have fun and stay active.
But if you’re serious about improving..........
If you actually want to level up and not just coast on the same plateau forever….....
You need to hear this.
Recreational play is destroying your progress.
And most people don’t even realize it.
I watch players log 10, 15, even 20 hours of rec play a week thinking they’re “putting in the work.” but when I ask them about their weaknesses, they either don’t know, or they’re rehearsing the same excuses from 6 months ago.
You know why?
Because rec play doesn’t challenge your habits. It cements them.
If your third shot is weak, you’re still hitting it weak in rec play.
If you avoid your backhand, you’ll keep running around it in rec play.
If you’re sloppy with footwork or punchy at the net, no one is calling you out, because they're doing the same damn thing.
Rec play is where bad habits go to thrive.
It feels like practice, but it’s not.
It feels like you're competing, but you're not.
You’re rehearsing mediocrity with friends who won’t hold you accountable.
I’m not saying to quit playing rec. That’s not realistic. It’s fun, it builds community, and honestly, we all need a mental break now and then. But if your goal is to become a better player, stronger, sharper, more respected on the court, you can’t rely on rec to get you there.
Here’s what you need to do:
1. Play with purpose.
Pick one thing to improve each session. Track it. Talk about it. Review it afterward. Stop playing mindlessly.
2. Play with better players.
Stop hiding in comfortable games. Find people who make you uncomfortable. You’ll lose more. And that’s exactly how you’ll grow.
3. Train, don’t just play.
Get drilling. Find a coach. Hit the wall. Work your footwork. Run patterns. Stop thinking game time is practice time. It’s not.
4. Take notes.
After a session, ask yourself: What worked? What didn’t? What’s still broken? If you don’t self-reflect, you’ll stay stuck.
I know this rubs people the wrong way. I know it’s easier to keep showing up at open play, feeling like a regular, joking around and hitting the same shots over and over. But if that’s what you want, cool. Just stop wondering why you’re not getting better.
Pickleball is exploding.
Tournaments are filling up. Prize money is increasing. The skill gap is widening. And somewhere, right now, a player is putting in actual reps, drilling their resets, tightening their transitions, and building real court IQ.
Meanwhile, you’re playing your 40th game this week with Larry and Cheryl, winning 11-8, and wondering why you’re not rated 4.0 yet.
Rec play keeps you busy.
Intentional play makes you better.
If this article triggered you, good. That’s the beginning of growth.
Now go decide who you want to be on the court.
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