5 Things Beginner Pickleball Players Should Stop Doing Right Now
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Want to win more games fast? Stop making these common beginner mistakes.
1. Splitting the Court With Your Partner
One up. One back. Sounds strategic. It’s not. This set-up leaves a giant hole in the middle that decent players will attack all day. Move together. Stay together.
If one of you is at the kitchen line, both of you should be.
2. Hovering in No Man’s Land
Standing a few feet off the kitchen line feels safer. It isn’t. You’re too close to react to drives and too far to dink well. That space exists only to lose points.
Get all the way up. Plant your toes near the kitchen line and don’t retreat unless you pop up the ball.
3. Swinging at 100 Percent
Power feels good. Missing does not. Most beginner errors come from swinging too hard. Balls hit the fence. Shots find the net.
Dial it back. Sixty percent power wins way more points than full send.
4. Forcing Spin on Every Shot
Spin is great. Overdoing it is not. Trying to shape every ball adds unnecessary risk. Clean contact beats fancy mechanics every time.
Control first. Spin later.
5. Overcomplicating Your Serve
The point of the serve is simple: Start the rally.
You don’t need pace or spin as a newbie.
Just get it in. Even better, hit it deep. Move on.
Don’t kill the point before it’s even started.
Bonus Mistake: Popping Balls Up
High balls are invitations. If your shots float, opponents will put them away.
Shorten your swing. Follow through. Aim for control.
What You Should Be Doing Instead
Master the basics. They win games.
- Deep serves
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Deep returns
- Get to the kitchen line together
- Dink patiently
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Placement over power
That’s it. No shortcuts.
One More Truth
If you’re always winning, you’re not improving. Play up. Join open play. Find leveled leagues. Take some lessons. Start Drilling.
Get beat. Learn why. Adjust. That’s how your game levels up.
Fix these habits and you’ll win more games. Fast.