The Biggest Jump in Pickleball: Collin Johns on Why 5.0 to Pro Is the Real Challenge

In a sport where everyone's obsessed with climbing the rankings as fast as possible, the idea of deliberately taking a slower route feels counterintuitive. But it actually makes sense.

You've probably heard the pickleball skill ladder thrown around a thousand times.

Each level feels like a natural progression, right? But here's the thing: according to Collin Johns, a pro pickleball legend and one of the sport's elite defenders, the real wall you hit isn't between any of those rungs.

It's the jump from 5.0 to professional.

Heads up: hundreds of thousands of pickleballers read our free newsletter. Subscribe here for cutting edge strategy, insider news, pro analysis, the latest product innovations and more.

In a recent video published to his YouTube channel, Johns breaks down exactly what that transition looks like and, more importantly, how to actually navigate it without burning out or getting discouraged.

It's a reality check wrapped in practical advice; the kind of insight that separates players who make the leap from those who plateau.

Why 5.0 to Pro Feels Like Climbing a Different Mountain Most players think of the skill progression as a linear climb. You grind, you improve, you move up.

But Johns suggests the jump to professional play operates on a different scale entirely.

The depth of competition at the pro level isn't just incrementally harder. It's a different ecosystem. You're no longer competing against the best players in your region or even your state.... FULL ARTICLE FOUND ON: https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/the-biggest-jump-in-pickleball-collin-johns-on-why-5-0-to-pro-is-the-real-challenge/