Pickleball court with blue surface and white net
Pickleball Journey

Chasing Fivezero

Follow along as we strive to become 5.0 level players through professional coaching, strategic training, and the power of learning together.

(01) Our Story

The Journey to Excellence

At 40 years old and just six months into playing pickleball, I've set an ambitious goal: to go from a 4.0 to 5.0 player. This site documents my personal journey of dedication, perseverance, and strategic growth under the guidance of professional player and coach Cam Luhring.

Together, Andru Estes and I are taking a unique approach to pickleball training. We believe in showcasing the journey through a lens of authenticity, allowing the true essence of skill development to shine. Our commitment to transparency and integrity is at the core of what we do.

Follow along as we document every step, every drill, and every milestone on our path to 5.0 rating with professional coach Cam Luhring. Two players, one goal, and the determination to chase fivezero together.

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Pickleball training
(02) The Journey

Featured Posts

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Week 5
DropsForehand Drive+2 more
Week 5July 7-13

Week 5

With Dru away, Coach Cam and I focused on intense, targeted training this week. Major breakthrough on my backhand drive—finally relaxing my technique and letting momentum flow through the shot. We fixed my kitchen game by addressing those frustrating defensive dinks I kept dumping into the net. The drive-and-drop drills are paying off, though I'm still working on kitchen patience and recognizing when to add spin versus playing safe. My backhand is transforming from liability to weapon!

By Brad Douglas

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Week 4
DropsServe and Return+2 more
Week 4June 30 - July 4

Week 4

This week I battled through fundamentals with mixed success. My resets are more consistent—staying down better and improving touch with each rep. Drops are progressing, but I still tense up on hard returns. Forehand returns show real improvement in pace and depth, while my backhand remains untrusted territory. Started implementing stacking in games, which felt awkward and mentally distracting. The truth? Everything in this journey comes down to reps—and I'm grinding through them all, setbacks included.

By Brad Douglas

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Week 3
DinkingSkinny Singles+2 more
Week 3June 23-27

Week 3

Follow my journey from 3.5 to 5.0+ pickleball as I tackle dinking, counters, and transition zone challenges in Week 3. See real progress with kitchen line control while confronting my struggles with court positioning and preparation timing. Raw, honest reflections on what's working, what isn't, and those brief moments when the game slows down and everything clicks. Perfect for intermediate players looking to break through their plateaus with actionable insights from focused training sessions. #ChasingFivezero #PickleballProgress

By Brad Douglas

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(03) Coach Profile

Cam Luhring

Professional pickleball player and certified instructor with over 15 years, professional pickleball for 3 years, traveled to 25+ states for tournaments, 3 countries, PPA Quarterfinalist, and APP Next Gen National Team Member. His coaching philosophy emphasizes technical precision, strategic awareness, and mental fortitude

25+
states for tournaments,
5.870
Player Rating
Learn more about Cam
Coach Cam Luhring

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