10 Pickleball Mistakes Beginners Make (And How to Fix Them)
Every beginner makes the same mistakes, they're predictable and fixable. Knowing what they are before you ingrain them as habits is one of the most valuable things a new pickleball player can do. Here are the 10 most common beginner errors and the specific fixes for each.
1. Staying at the baseline
The most common beginner mistake. The kitchen line is where points are won in pickleball, staying back gives opponents high-angle attacks. Fix: after the return of serve, walk forward immediately. Your goal every rally is to get both feet at the kitchen line.
2. Hitting too hard
Beginners swing for power instead of control. Hard shots go out or get returned easily from the kitchen. Fix: aim for 60-70% effort on groundstrokes. Let the kitchen game decide points, not raw power.
3. Swinging at serves instead of blocking
Full swings on returns produce inconsistency. Fix: think of the return as a block with direction, guide the ball deep cross-court rather than swinging fully. Control beats power on returns.
4. Volleying from the kitchen
Kitchen volley faults happen constantly among beginners. Fix: before every volley near the kitchen, glance at your feet. If your toes are touching the line or inside, step back before hitting.
5. Not calling the score
Skipping the score call creates disputes and is technically a fault. Fix: develop the habit of saying the score before every single serve, even in casual practice. It becomes automatic within a few sessions.
6. Running to get wide balls instead of stepping
Crossing your feet chasing wide balls creates balance problems. Fix: shuffle-step for close balls, cross-step for balls far out of reach. Never cross your feet when you only need one step.
7. Watching the ball instead of recovering
After hitting a shot, beginners watch to see if it goes in rather than recovering position. Fix: trust your shot and immediately return to ready position. If it goes out, you needed that recovery step anyway.
8. Dinking too high
High dinks get attacked, they rise above net height and opponents can drive downward. Fix: practice low-arc dinks that barely clear the net and drop into the kitchen. Lower contact point, slightly open paddle face.
9. Hitting every ball they can reach
Not every ball needs to be hit, some should be let go as out. Fix: judge ball trajectory early. If the ball looks like it's sailing long or wide, let it bounce and see if it's out. Taking balls you shouldn't costs you points constantly.
10. Not communicating in doubles
Silence between doubles partners leads to both players going for the same ball or both leaving it. Fix: call 'mine' or 'yours' on every ambiguous ball. The verbal call is always faster than visual communication.
Next steps
Turn the guide into your next session
Move from reading to action: find the right court, join a game, connect with players, and buy only the gear that helps.