Pickleball is welcoming, social, and wildly addictive. But certain habits signal, “I am still figuring this out.” The good news is that most of these mistakes are easy to fix once you know what to look for.
This list was not created to shame anyone. We have all been this player at some point. If you recognize yourself in a few of these, congratulations. That means you are learning. We hope you find some of the guidance here helpful towards getting you on the right track.
Here are seven common pickleball mistakes that make you look like a beginner AND how to address them.
Top 7 Pickleball Mistakes
1. Standing Tall on Dinks
Dinking is a soft game skill, but it requires an athletic stance. Standing straight up while dinking makes you late, stiff, and vulnerable to speed-ups.
Good dink posture includes bent knees, a low center of gravity, and your paddle out in front. If your legs are locked and your shoulders are relaxed, your opponent sees an opening.
Fix it by staying low and ready. Your knees should burn just a little. Always keep your paddle out in front of you in the ready position.
2. Serving Into the Net on Your Big Moment
The score is tight. Everyone is watching. You bounce the ball, take a breath, and then drive the serve directly into the net.
It happens. But it also hurts.
Beginner servers often swing too hard instead of focusing on consistency. A deep, clean serve is more valuable than a fast one or a spin serve. Power comes later. Placement and reliability come first.
Slow your serve down. Aim high over the net. Trust your motion.
3. Running Through the Kitchen Like It Is Optional
The non-volley zone is not a suggestion. It is the kitchen. And stepping into it during a volley is one of the fastest ways to lose a point and credibility.
New players often rush forward without pausing. The result is a foot fault, an awkward apology, or a confused look followed by, “Was I in?”
Control your approach towards the kitchen. Stop before the line.
RELATED: 5 Under-Rated Pickleball Moves
4. Swinging at Everything
Not every ball needs to be attacked. Some balls need to be left alone.
Beginners often feel the urge to hit every shot, even ones clearly sailing long. Experienced players trust their judgment and let bad balls go (long!).
If you are swinging at everything, slow down and focus on reading the ball better. Sometimes the best shot is no shot at all.
5. Playing Too Far Back at the Net
Hovering several feet behind the kitchen line feels safe, but it creates many problems. You give your opponents better angles, more time, and easier targets. In tennis, we call this area “no man’s land,” and in pickleball, this “middle” area creates similar problems.
The kitchen line is where your team gains control. The closer you are, the more pressure you apply. Standing back makes you reactive instead of proactive.
Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Get to the kitchen line.
6. Blaming Your Partner
Nothing screams beginner faster than blaming your partner for every missed shot. Pickleball is a team sport. Mistakes are shared. Adjustments you make should be mutual.
Good partners encourage each other, communicate, and reset quickly. Even if the mistake was not yours, the following point still belongs to both of you.
Say “we” instead of “you.” It changes everything and helps shift any negative momentum. Plus, pickleball friendships are worth treasuring, not ruining with blame.
7. Ignoring Footwork
Many new players focus on their swing and forget about their feet. But footwork is the foundation of consistently good pickleball.
Poor positioning leads to off-balance shots, rushed swings, and panic decisions. Clean footwork leads to control and confidence.
Work on minor adjustments. Try to stay light on your feet and don’t get caught flat-footed. Let your legs do the work so your arms can remain relaxed.
Everyone Starts Somewhere
Every pickleball player has made these mistakes. The difference is that advanced pickleball players have learned from them.
Pickleball rewards awareness, not perfection. The moment you start paying attention to posture, positioning, and decision-making, your game levels up.
If this list made you think of someone you play with, send it to them. If it made you think of yourself, welcome to the club. That means you are on the right path.
Which mistake do you see most often at your courts?
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