9 Common Pickleball Mistakes Beginners Make (And How to Fix Them)

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Pickleball’s explosive popularity means thousands of new players are hitting courts every week—but most develop bad habits that hold back their progress. After analyzing hundreds of forum threads, coaching sessions, and pro player interviews, we’ve identified the 9 most critical mistakes that plague beginners.

This definitive guide not only exposes these errors but provides proven fixes used by top instructors. Whether you’ve played 10 games or 100, eliminating these mistakes will transform your game overnight.

1. Standing Too Far Back (The Baseline Trap)

The Mistake: Lingering near the baseline after serving or returning.

Why It’s Bad:

Gives opponents easy angles for winners
Forces you to hit upward (creating attackable balls)
Wastes energy running forward

The Fix:

After serving/returning, move to the “transition zone” (3 feet behind kitchen line)
Pro tip: Take 2-3 shuffle steps forward immediately after hitting

“90% of recreational points are won at the net. If you’re not moving forward, you’re losing.” – Sarah Ansboury, IPTPA Master Instructor

2. Death Grip on the Paddle

The Mistake: White-knuckling the handle with maximum pressure.

Why It’s Bad:

Reduces wrist snap for spin/speed
Causes elbow strain (“pickleball elbow”)
Slows reaction time by 20-30%

The Fix:

Hold paddle at 3/10 pressure (should be able to slide a finger between handle and palm)
Only tighten grip slightly at contact
Use continental grip for versatility

Test: Can you wiggle your fingers during play? If not, you’re gripping too tight.

3. Ignoring the Kitchen Rules

The Mistake: Volleying from inside the non-volley zone (NVZ) or stepping on the line.

Why It’s Bad:

Automatic fault (loses point)
Disrupts game flow
Limits strategic options

The Fix:

Practice the “toe tap”: Lightly touch kitchen line with toe, then retreat
For volleys, stay at least 6 inches behind NVZ line
Drill: Place a towel 1 foot behind NVZ as a visual guide

4. Swinging Like Tennis

The Mistake: Using big, loopy swings.

Why It’s Bad:

Pickleball requires compact strokes (court is 1/4 size of tennis court)
Long swings cause late contact
Creates uncontrolled power

The Fix:

Use short backswings (paddle never goes behind your hips)
Focus on push motions rather than swings
Imagine hitting in a phone booth for proper form

5. Always Hitting Hard

The Mistake: Smashing every shot possible.

Why It’s Bad:

Easy for opponents to block/redirect
Low percentage play (more errors)
Wastes energy

The Fix:

Develop a soft game (dinks, drops)
Follow the 70% power rule: Only hit 7/10 power max
Drill: Play entire games where no shot exceeds waist height

6. Poor Serve Strategy

The Mistake: Weak, short serves.

Why It’s Bad:

Gives opponents attacking position
Misses opportunity to control point

The Fix:

Aim serves deep (last 1/3 of court)
Add slight topspin for consistency
Target opponent’s backhand 70% of time

Serve Depth Drill: Place a towel 2 feet inside baseline—all serves must land beyond it.

7. Not Communicating in Doubles

The Mistake: Silent play with partner.

Why It’s Bad:

Causes collisions
Missed shots
Lost points from confusion

The Fix:

Call “mine”, “yours”, or “switch” on every ball
Develop pre-serve signals (e.g., 1 finger = down middle)
Watch pro doubles and note their constant communication

8. Chasing Every Lob

The Mistake: Turning your back and sprinting wildly.

Why It’s Bad:

Lose court position
Difficult to make quality return
Risk of injury

The Fix:

Use shuffle steps (never cross feet)
Let deep lobs go out (30% do)
Practice overhead smash for retrievable lobs

9. Skipping Footwork Drills

The Mistake: Only practicing shots, not movement.

Why It’s Bad:

Poor positioning = weak shots
Slow reactions
Fatigue sets in faster

The Fix:

Daily 5-minute footwork routine:
1. Side shuffles
2. Split steps
3. Carioca steps
Imagine playing on hot lava—stay light on feet!

Bonus: The 30-Day Mistake Correction Plan

Week 1-2: Focus on grip pressure & positioning
Week 3: Master kitchen rules & soft game
Week 4: Refine serves & communication

Progression Tracking:

Record games to spot lingering mistakes
Join a beginner clinic for professional feedback
Use the DUPR app to monitor improvement

Key Takeaways

✅ Move forward after serving
✅ Hold paddle loosely (3/10 pressure)
✅ Master kitchen rules through drills
✅ Compact strokes > tennis swings
✅ Soft game wins more points than power
✅ Deep serves to backhands = free points
✅ Constant communication in doubles
✅ Smart lob defense beats wild chasing
✅ Footwork is the foundation