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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(02) The Journey

Featured Posts

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Transition ZoneFootwork

Week 19Oct 20 - 25, 2025

Week 19

Week 19 was all about finding my rhythm in the kitchen and unleashing power from the baseline. After Cam called out our missed opportunities on dead dinks, I started taking more aggressive chances—and they paid off. Friday brought my best skinny game performance in weeks, where everything finally clicked: driving with pace, dropping with precision, and finishing with confidence. The tension between practice comfort and game pressure remains my biggest challenge.

By Brad Douglas

Transition ZoneDrives

Week 18Oct 13-18, 2025

Week 18

This week was all about taking balls out of the air and transition zone work. I'm finally feeling the difference between defensive plucks and offensive pushes during dinking rallies. Those gritty baseline drills are paying off, but my wrist tension is still holding back my low-to-high brush shots. The uncomfortable zone is where growth happens—and I'm here for it.

By Brad Douglas

DrivesFootwork

Week 16Sept 29-Oct 4, 2025

Week 16

The fundamentals are paying off! After drilling baseline drives all week, my footwork has taken a major leap forward and my backhand finally feels comfortable. Still struggling with finishing points and need to incorporate more resets instead of always countering. The unglamorous work is starting to show real results—this is what progress looks like.

By Brad Douglas

Forehand DriveBackhand Drive+1 more

Week 15Sept 22-27, 2025

Week 15

This week was all about fundamentals: brutal footwork drills that exposed my conditioning gaps, backhand flick breakthroughs, and learning a completely new forehand attack. My kitchen game feels solid, but those split-second decisions on when to apply pressure versus concede position are what separate 3.5 from where I'm trying to go. Raw, honest reflections from the journey to 5.0.

By Brad Douglas

(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

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