Common Pickleball Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing pickleball for years, mistakes happen. It’s a natural part of the learning process and an opportunity for growth. But some mistakes can become bad habits that hinder your progress. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover common pickleball mistakes at every level of play, from beginners to advanced players, and provide practical solutions on how to fix them. Let’s dive into the fundamentals to help you avoid pitfalls and become a stronger, more confident player.
1. Poor Footwork
The Mistake: Many players, especially beginners, underestimate the importance of proper footwork. You might find yourself standing still, lunging late, or crossing your feet in awkward ways, making it difficult to reach shots effectively. Improper foot positioning can throw off your balance, making it tough to execute well-placed shots.
How to Fix It: Focus on staying light on your toes and ready to move. Engage in footwork drills that emphasize lateral movement, quick steps, and balance. Practicing the “split step”—a small hop just before your opponent hits the ball—can help you stay prepared to move in any direction. Regularly practicing agility drills, such as ladder drills or side shuffles, will also improve your footwork over time.
2. Standing Too Close to the Baseline
The Mistake: Standing too close to the baseline when serving or receiving can leave you without enough room to effectively play deep balls. It’s especially problematic if the opponent delivers a strong, deep serve.
How to Fix It: Give yourself some space to step into the shot and prepare for high bounces or deep serves. Position yourself about two to three feet behind the baseline when receiving. Make sure you have enough room to take a step forward or backward as needed, which will help you maintain control over the ball. Practicing how to take a step back and still maintain a steady shot will help you deal with deep serves more comfortably.
3. Hitting the Ball Too Hard
The Mistake: Pickleball is a game of finesse, not power. Beginners often make the mistake of swinging too hard, thinking it’ll give them an advantage. However, over-hitting often leads to balls sailing out of bounds, giving away points for free.
How to Fix It: Focus on control rather than power. Practice using a softer touch, especially when playing near the net. Develop a feel for different levels of power based on the situation, and work on targeting specific areas of the court. Engaging in dinking drills and focusing on keeping the ball low will help you control your shots better. Remember, well-placed shots that keep your opponent off balance are far more effective than simply hitting the ball as hard as possible.
4. Not Coming to the Kitchen Line
The Mistake: The no-volley zone (or “kitchen”) is a critical part of pickleball strategy. Failing to move up to the kitchen line after serving or when your partner hits a good drop shot often leaves players stuck in no man’s land, where they are vulnerable to well-placed shots.
How to Fix It: After serving or when your partner hits a good drop shot, make it a priority to move up to the kitchen line as quickly as possible. This positioning allows you to control the game and put pressure on your opponents. Practice split-stepping as you move up to the kitchen line to maintain balance and be ready for the next shot. Incorporate drills that focus on transitioning from the baseline to the kitchen line smoothly, and practice maintaining your position there to take advantage of offensive opportunities.to understand why this positioning is so crucial.
5. Reaching Into the Kitchen
The Mistake: A common error, particularly for newer players, is reaching into the no-volley zone while hitting a volley. Reaching without properly positioning your feet or using your body weight can cause you to lose balance and fault.
How to Fix It: Work on maintaining proper positioning at the kitchen line and resist the urge to reach too far. If a shot is close to the kitchen line, try to take a small step back and wait for the ball to come into a comfortable striking range. The key here is patience. Spend time practicing dinking, focusing on staying steady while maintaining your position behind the kitchen line. Use your paddle and body positioning to “block” balls, keeping volleys controlled rather than reaching too far forward.
6. Poor Serve Technique
The Mistake: The serve is the only shot you have complete control over, yet many players either fail to serve deep enough or fail to create any kind of variety in their serves, making it easy for opponents to return.
How to Fix It: Focus on consistency first—practice hitting the serve deep into your opponent’s backcourt to make it harder for them to return aggressively. Work on developing a few different types of serves, such as a high, deep serve to push your opponent back, or a low, fast serve to force a difficult return. Spend time practicing your toss, foot positioning, and follow-through to ensure accuracy. Aiming for specific areas of the service box will add variety and make your serves less predictable. Incorporating these elements will help you enhance your serve game and gain an advantage right from the start of each rally.article to enhance your serve game further.
7. Neglecting the Third Shot Drop
The Mistake: One of the most challenging but crucial shots in pickleball is the third shot drop. Too often, players go for a drive instead of aiming for a drop shot, which gives opponents an advantage at the net.
How to Fix It: Practicing the third shot drop should be a part of your routine. for more tips and drills.
8. Overusing the Backhand
The Mistake: Some players overly rely on their backhand because they haven’t developed their forehand adequately, leading to weak, predictable shots that opponents can exploit.
How to Fix It: Work on improving your forehand to balance your game. Focus on foot positioning to favor your forehand, allowing you to hit with more power and control. Practice drills that require alternating between backhand and forehand shots to build comfort with both. A helpful exercise is to rally with a partner where you intentionally use your forehand as much as possible, ensuring you step into position rather than defaulting to your backhand. Developing a strong forehand will make your game less predictable and give you more options during rallies.for a step-by-step approach.
9. Failing to Communicate with Your Partner
The Mistake: Doubles pickleball is all about teamwork. Lack of communication often results in confusion about who should hit the ball, leading to missed opportunities or errors.
How to Fix It: Use simple communication cues like “mine,” “yours,” or “switch” to indicate your intentions. Make it a habit to check in with your partner before and after points to strategize and provide feedback. Drills that focus on partner movement, such as moving together across the court or practicing cross-court dinks, will build better coordination and communication.
10. Not Adapting to Opponent’s Playstyle
The Mistake: Many players stick to a single strategy, regardless of how their opponents are playing. Failing to adjust can lead to getting outplayed if the opponent quickly identifies and exploits your weaknesses.
How to Fix It: Be observant. Notice whether your opponents struggle more with certain shots, such as lobs, drives, or dinks. Adjust your strategy accordingly—if they struggle with low, soft shots, use more dinks to force them into errors. If they’re slow on lateral movements, focus on wide placements. Flexibility is key, so practice different types of shots to build a versatile game.
11. Hitting Directly to the Opponent
The Mistake: One of the biggest mistakes players make is hitting directly to the opponent, making it easy for them to counter. It’s especially common during fast-paced exchanges, where players just react without thinking about shot placement.
How to Fix It: Always aim to hit away from your opponent or towards their weaker side. Aiming at the feet of your opponent or into empty spaces will put them in a difficult position. Work on aiming to the sidelines, corners, and areas that force your opponent to move, which will lead to more errors. Set up cones on the court during practice and aim to hit them—this helps with intentional targeting.
12. Leaning Back When Hitting
The Mistake: Leaning back when hitting the ball is a common mistake, particularly when faced with a high shot. Leaning back compromises control and often results in weak shots or errors.
How to Fix It: Focus on maintaining a forward posture and stepping into your shots. When you step into the shot, it gives you better balance and allows for greater accuracy and power. Practice drills that encourage stepping forward, such as shadow swings, to ingrain this habit in your muscle memory.
13. Poor Dinking Technique
The Mistake: Dinking is a crucial part of pickleball strategy, but poor technique leads to balls popping up too high, setting up easy put-away shots for your opponent.
How to Fix It: Focus on a gentle, controlled motion with a stable wrist. Keep the paddle face slightly open and keep your knees bent to stay low. The dink is about placement rather than power—your goal should be to make it difficult for the opponent to attack. Drills like continuous dinking across the net with a partner will help you improve consistency and height control.
14. Getting Too Close to the Kitchen Line
The Mistake: Hovering too close to the kitchen line leaves you vulnerable to getting hit by volleys or losing balance while reaching for a low ball. It’s a fine balance—too far back, and you give up control of the net; too close, and you risk faults.
How to Fix It: Stand about six inches back from the kitchen line. This gives you enough room to move forward if needed while maintaining control of volleys. You should be able to lean in and volley without stepping into the kitchen. Practicing volleys while maintaining the correct distance from the line will help reinforce this positioning.
15. Not Practicing Serves Enough
The Mistake: Many players focus heavily on rallying and dinking but often neglect their serves. A weak serve means starting every point on the defensive, giving the opponent the upper hand.
How to Fix It: Incorporate serving practice into every training session. Aim for consistency and accuracy before adding power. Once you’re comfortable, work on adding spin and targeting specific areas of the service box to keep your opponent guessing. Remember, a well-placed serve can be just as effective as a powerful one.
16. Failing to Anticipate Opponent’s Shots
The Mistake: Instead of anticipating your opponent’s next move, you’re reacting late. This leads to poor positioning and rushed shots.
How to Fix It: Try to read your opponent’s body language and the paddle angle to anticipate where they might hit. Watch their feet and shoulders—if they’re leaning one way, it’s likely they’re preparing to hit in that direction. Spend time focusing on anticipating shots during practice matches by mentally predicting where each shot will go before it happens.
17. Holding the Paddle Too Tight
The Mistake: Many players grip their paddle too tightly, which restricts movement and causes muscle fatigue. A tight grip also reduces your ability to control soft shots.
How to Fix It: Hold your paddle with a relaxed grip, similar to holding a hammer. You want enough tension to control the paddle but not so much that your hand becomes stiff. Practicing different drills, like soft volleys and dinking, with a conscious effort to keep a loose grip can help create better muscle memory for a relaxed hold.
18. Improper Paddle Positioning
The Mistake: Often, players let their paddle drop below waist height while waiting for a shot. This positioning leaves them unprepared for quick volleys and slows reaction time.
How to Fix It: Keep your paddle in the “ready position”—held out in front of your body, at chest height. This allows you to react quickly to both forehand and backhand shots. Practicing shadow movements where you move while keeping your paddle up will help reinforce proper positioning.
19. Over-committing to One Side
The Mistake: Over-committing to one side of the court can lead to vulnerability when the opponent changes direction. This is especially common when players anticipate a cross-court shot but are then caught off-guard by a down-the-line drive.
How to Fix It: Focus on staying balanced and centered as much as possible. Avoid guessing your opponent’s shot direction too early and instead react based on their body positioning and paddle angle. Practicing drills that emphasize quick lateral movement and recovery will help you become more agile and able to cover both sides of the court effectively. Keep your weight evenly distributed on the balls of your feet, ready to move in either direction at any moment.
20. Letting Emotions Impact Performance
The Mistake: Frustration and negative emotions can quickly escalate after making mistakes, leading to rushed shots, poor decisions, and an overall dip in performance.
How to Fix It: Practice mindfulness on the court. Take deep breaths, and reset after each point—whether you win or lose it. Developing mental toughness is just as important as mastering physical skills. A helpful practice is to establish a short routine between points, such as tapping your paddle, taking a breath, and focusing on the next point. This helps create a mental reset and keeps emotions in check.
21. Lack of Variation in Shot Selection
The Mistake: If you keep using the same shots, your game becomes predictable, and opponents can quickly adapt. A lack of variety can make it easier for them to anticipate your next move.
How to Fix It: Develop a more versatile repertoire of shots. Practice different serves, drives, drops, lobs, and spins. Mixing up shot speed, placement, and spin will keep your opponent guessing and out of rhythm. Play practice games where you challenge yourself to try a specific type of shot multiple times, focusing on building comfort and consistency with less familiar options.
22. Not Using the Lob When Needed
The Mistake: The lob is often underused because players fear it will be ineffective or worry about a strong smash in response. However, when executed properly, it can be a powerful tool to change the pace of the game.
How to Fix It: Work on your lob technique so that you can use it confidently. Focus on creating enough height and depth to push your opponents back, giving you time to reposition or forcing them into uncomfortable overhead shots. Practice the lob as part of your dinking routine—aim to lift the ball high enough to clear opponents but still stay inbounds.
23. Forgetting to Switch Sides Properly
The Mistake: Especially in doubles, forgetting or improperly switching sides during a rally can cause confusion and make it easier for your opponents to exploit weak coverage.
How to Fix It: Remember to switch sides after every odd point when serving. Make it a habit to communicate with your partner between points so you’re always on the same page regarding positioning. Practice rally situations where you intentionally switch sides with your partner, focusing on smooth transitions to cover all areas of the court.
24. Not Taking Advantage of Angles
The Mistake: Many players miss the opportunity to use the full width of the court, opting for straightforward shots that can easily be defended. Not utilizing angles limits your ability to stretch the opponent and control the pace of the game.
How to Fix It: Work on creating sharp angles, especially from the kitchen line. Angle shots force your opponents out wide, opening up space for you to exploit on their weaker side. Set up cones on either side of the court during practice and aim for them to improve your ability to hit angled shots consistently.
25. Ignoring Recovery Positioning
The Mistake: After hitting a shot, players often stay in their hitting position rather than recovering to a more strategic spot. This lack of awareness can leave large gaps for opponents to exploit.
How to Fix It: After each shot, recover quickly to a balanced position that allows you to cover the next likely shot. A good rule of thumb is to move back to a position near the middle of your side or to match your partner’s position. Practice shot-recovery drills where you move back to a central position after each stroke to create strong muscle memory.
26. Not Practicing Under Pressure
The Mistake: Practice sessions can sometimes become too casual, which doesn’t simulate the high-pressure situations you might face during an actual game. Failing to practice under pressure can make it difficult to execute in match scenarios.
How to Fix It: Incorporate pressure drills into your practice. Set specific goals such as making a certain number of drop shots in a row or winning points with a certain strategy. Adding consequences, like running a lap or doing a push-up for missed shots, can help simulate the kind of pressure you feel during a competitive match. Working on executing your shots while feeling this added pressure will help prepare you for high-stakes moments.
27. Underestimating the Importance of Rest
The Mistake: Players sometimes push themselves too hard without giving their body enough time to rest and recover. This leads to fatigue, decreased performance, and potential injuries.
How to Fix It: Rest is crucial for physical performance and recovery. Make sure to schedule regular rest days in your training routine to allow your muscles and joints to recover properly. Incorporate proper hydration, stretching, and sleep to aid in the recovery process. Listen to your body—if you’re feeling unusually fatigued or sore, it may be time to take a break. Additionally, consider incorporating active recovery, such as light walking or yoga, to keep your body moving while giving it time to heal.
28. Using the Wrong Equipment
The Mistake: Many players use paddles or shoes that are not suited to their playing style or skill level. Using the wrong equipment can hinder your performance and even lead to injuries.
How to Fix It: Take the time to research and find the right paddle and shoes for your game. The paddle’s weight, grip size, and material can make a significant difference in control and comfort. Similarly, proper court shoes provide the necessary support and traction to avoid injuries. Check out our in-depth guides on How to Choose the Best Pickleball Paddle and Finding the Right Pickleball Shoes for more detailed advice on selecting the right equipment.
Conclusion
Pickleball is an exciting, fast-paced game that requires a mix of strategy, skill, and teamwork. Understanding these common mistakes and how to address them will elevate your performance and make the game more enjoyable. By focusing on better footwork, communication, strategic shot selection, and developing consistency in your game, you’ll gain an edge over your competition.
Keep in mind that improvement comes with practice, patience, and the willingness to learn from mistakes. The beauty of pickleball lies in its accessibility and the continuous opportunity for growth—whether you’re playing for fun or competing at a high level. Embrace each mistake as a learning experience, and soon you’ll find yourself more confident, consistent, and capable on the court.
Happy playing, and remember—stay light on your feet, keep your paddle up, and communicate with your partner. Now get out there and put these tips into practice!