The short answer: Most beginner mistakes come down to four things: hitting too hard, standing in the wrong spot, forgetting the two-bounce rule, and stepping into the kitchen. Fix those, and you'll win more points almost immediately.
Every great player was once a beginner who hit the ball into the net. Here are the mistakes we see most often, and how to fix each one.
1. Hitting Every Ball as Hard as You Can
The mistake: Treating every shot like a smash.
The fix: Pickleball rewards placement over power. A soft, well-placed shot at your opponent's feet usually beats a hard shot that sails long. Aim for control first. Power comes later.
2. Forgetting the Two-Bounce Rule
The mistake: Running up after your serve and volleying the return.
The fix: The serve must bounce, and the return of serve must bounce. Only after those two bounces can anyone hit the ball out of the air. If you're on the serving side, stay back, the baseline or behind it if you have an experienced opponent, and let the return bounce.
3. Volleying From the Kitchen
The mistake: Hitting the ball out of the air while standing in the non-volley zone (the kitchen) or touching its line.
The fix: Keep your toes just behind the kitchen line when you volley. You can step into the kitchen to hit a ball that has bounced, but get back out before you volley again. Also watch your momentum: if a volley carries you into the kitchen, the point is lost.
4. Living in "No-Man's Land"
The mistake: Standing in the middle of the court, between the baseline and the kitchen.
The fix: That middle area is where balls land at your feet. After the return, work your way up to the kitchen line with your partner. That's where most points are won.
5. Holding the Paddle Too Tight
The mistake: A white-knuckle "death grip."
The fix: Relax your hand. On a scale of 1 to 10, aim for about a 3 or 4. A looser grip gives you softer touch on dinks and helps your arm feel better after a long session.
6. Paddle Down Between Shots
The mistake: Letting your paddle drop to your side.
The fix: Keep your paddle up and in front of you, about chest height, in a ready position. At the kitchen line, the ball comes back fast, and a paddle that's already up has time to react.
7. Not Talking to Your Partner
The mistake: Both players going for the same ball, or neither going for it.
The fix: Call it: "Mine!" "Yours!" "Out!" Agree ahead of time who takes balls down the middle. Many teams let the player with the forehand in the middle take it.
8. Starting With the Wrong Paddle
The mistake: Buying the cheapest paddle available and wondering why the ball won't go where you aim.
The fix: You don't need the most expensive paddle, but a lightweight, forgiving paddle with a carbon fiber face makes learning easier. Our AMP4 Series was designed for exactly this: a wider face, a forgiving sweet spot, a T700 carbon fiber face, and an average weight of about 7.5 oz.
Keep Learning
- Pickleball Basic Rule Guide
- How to Choose Your First Pickleball Paddle
- Gauge Your Pickleball Skill Level
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common beginner mistake in pickleball?
Hitting too hard. Beginners often try to overpower opponents, but placement and consistency win far more points.
What is the two-bounce rule?
The serve must bounce once on the receiving side, and the return must bounce once on the serving side. After that, players can volley.
Can you step into the kitchen in pickleball?
Yes, to hit a ball that has already bounced. You cannot volley while standing in the kitchen or touching its line.
