Common Pickleball Mistakes – 12 Mistakes Slowing Down Your Game
Do you want to get better at pickleball? Then it's often more effective to eliminate simple mistakes first rather than trying to learn more advanced shots.
Many beginners and intermediate players lose points for the same reasons: poor positioning, oversized swings, too much power, unnecessary risks, and bad decisions at the kitchen line.
In this guide, we'll go through 12 common pickleball mistakes and show you how to correct them. Several of the tips focus less on spectacular technique and more on making the game simpler, more stable, and smarter.
1. You step onto the court immediately after serving
A common mistake is for the server to automatically take several steps forward right after the serve.
Why is this a problem?
After the serve, the serving team must let the opponent's return bounce before playing the next shot. If the receiver hits a deep return and you've already moved forward, you might be forced to move backward to reach the ball.
Hitting a third shot while your body weight is moving backward makes it harder to maintain control, balance, and precision.
Solution
Stay behind the baseline until you see where the return is going. If the return is short, you can easily move forward. This is usually much easier than moving forward first and then being forced to retreat.
2. You try to hit the third shot too hard
A drive can be an effective third shot, but many players use it far too often – even from poor positions.
Why is this a problem?
A hard drive from the baseline requires good timing and control. If the shot is too low, the ball will go into the net. If it's too high, opponents at the kitchen line can attack it.
The problem isn't the drive itself. The problem is using it when the situation actually calls for a softer shot.
Solution
Learn to vary between a drive and a third shot drop. When opponents are already established at the kitchen line, a soft drop into the kitchen can give you and your partner time to advance.
3. You try to win every point with power
This is one of the most common mistakes among players coming from tennis or padel.
Pickleball involves a lot of pace, but the sport also rewards patience, placement, and control.
Why is this a problem?
If every ball is treated as an attack opportunity, the risk increases for:
- balls into the net
- balls out of bounds
- returns that are too high
- poor positioning after the shot
- easy opportunities for the opponent to counter
Solution
Ask yourself before attacking: is the ball truly attackable?
Low balls should often be played with control. High balls are better candidates for offensive shots.
4. You move too much at the kitchen line
When the game slows down in a dink rally, many players start moving their feet more than necessary.
Why is this a problem?
Unnecessary movement makes it harder to maintain balance and be ready if the opponent suddenly speeds up the play.
You also risk leaving the kitchen line and giving the opponent more open space to play into.
Solution
Try to be stable and economical in your movements. Move when the ball requires it, but quickly return to a balanced position at the kitchen line.
Learning to take more balls on the volley can also reduce unnecessary movement.
5. You back away from the kitchen line for no reason
Reaching the kitchen line is often an important tactical goal in doubles. Yet, many players voluntarily give up this position.
Why is this a problem?
When you back up, you create more space in front of you and give the opponent better angles.
You also have less opportunity to take the ball early.
Solution
Try to hold your position at the kitchen line when the situation allows. Only back up when you genuinely need to defend against a lob or a hard attack – not out of habit.
6. You use too much swing
Large swings can look powerful but often create more problems than they solve, especially near the net.
Why is this a problem?
The larger your movement, the longer the shot takes and the more elements need to be timed correctly.
In fast volley rallies, there's rarely time for large movements.
Solution
Use shorter, more controlled movements at the net. Let the opponent's pace help you and focus on a stable paddle face and placement.
7. You hold the paddle too low
This becomes particularly apparent when the player starts to get tired.
Why is this a problem?
If your paddle is hanging down by your thighs, you first have to lift it before you can react to a fast ball.
At the kitchen line, that lost time can be the difference between a controlled volley and a missed ball.
Solution
Keep your paddle in front of your body in a neutral and active position, roughly at chest height. This way, you'll need to make smaller movements to react to both forehand and backhand shots.
8. You stay too far back on the court
Many beginners feel safe at the baseline because it provides more time to react.
The problem is that opponents simultaneously gain control of the net.
Solution
When you get an opportunity, try to work your way forward to the kitchen line. Do it controlled and in several steps if necessary.
The goal isn't to run forward as fast as possible – but to advance when your ball gives you time to do so.
9. You attack from a bad position
A ball can look attackable even when your body isn't actually ready.
Common poor attack positions
- you are off balance
- you are moving backward
- the ball is below the net tape
- you are too far from the ball
- your partner is not ready
Solution
A good attack begins with balance. If you don't have control of your body, it's often better to play a safe ball and wait for the next opportunity.
10. You try to make too difficult shots
Pickleball includes many advanced shots, but they don't need to be used just because you know them.
A difficult crosscourt dink, an extremely angled drive, or an advanced lob might be appropriate in some situations – but not if you only succeed one out of five times.
Solution
Build your game around shots you can execute with high consistency. Gradually add more difficult options as your technique becomes more stable.
A simple shot that lands in is better than a spectacular shot that goes out.
11. You forget your partner in doubles
Doubles is not about two individual players on the same side. You must move and defend the court as a team.
Common mistake
One player moves forward while the other stays back. This creates large gaps between players that opponents can exploit.
Solution
Try to move together laterally and forward or backward. Maintain a reasonable distance between you and communicate during rallies.
12. You never ask for feedback
The last mistake isn't technical – but it might be one of the most important.
It's difficult to view your own game completely objectively. A practice partner or more experienced opponent can often see patterns you miss yourself.
Solution
For example, ask:
- Where do I lose the most points?
- Am I positioned correctly on the court?
- Which shot do you think I should improve?
- Is there anything I do predictably?
This can give you a much clearer focus for your next practice session.
How to improve at pickleball faster
You don't need to improve all twelve areas simultaneously.
Instead, choose one or two mistakes that you recognize in your own game and focus on them during a few practice sessions.
A good order for many players is:
- Improve positioning.
- Reduce simple mistakes.
- Develop your serve and return.
- Become comfortable at the kitchen line.
- Learn to control the pace.
- Only then, develop more advanced shots.
→ Learn pickleball – rules, technique, tactics, and fundamentals
Are you new to pickleball?
If several of the mistakes above feel completely new, it's wise to start with the basics first.
Our beginner's guide goes step-by-step through how the game works, what you need to know, and how to get started with your first matches.
→ Pickleball for beginners – complete guide to starting to play
Practice mistakes in real matches
Technical training is important, but many of these problems primarily arise when points actually count.
Therefore, try to use match play as practice. Decide on a specific focus before the match – for example, not backing away from the kitchen line or keeping your paddle high – and then evaluate how it went afterward.
By playing regularly with different opponents, you'll also see which mistakes recur when the pace and pressure change.
→ Find pickleball clubs and playing opportunities in Sweden
Common questions about pickleball mistakes
What is the most common mistake in pickleball?
One of the most common mistakes is trying to win too many points with power. Pickleball often rewards control, placement, and patience more than maximum speed.
Why shouldn't you go forward immediately after serving?
The serving team must let the opponent's return bounce. If you go forward too early, a deep return can force you to back up and hit the next ball off balance.
Should you always hit a third shot drop?
No. Both a drive and a drop can be good options. Which shot is best depends on the height and depth of the return, your position, and your opponents' placement.
Where should your paddle be at the kitchen line?
The paddle should be held in front of your body in an active and neutral position, often roughly at chest height, so you can react quickly in either direction.
Why do large swings make the game harder?
Large swings take longer and require more precise timing. At the net, short and stable movements are often significantly more effective.
How do I know what to practice?
Try to identify which types of mistakes cost you the most points. Feel free to ask a practice partner for feedback and then focus on one area at a time.
Summary – fewer mistakes mean better pickleball
Developing in pickleball isn't just about learning more shots. Often, the biggest improvement comes when you start making fewer unnecessary mistakes.
Stand correctly, maintain your balance, choose simpler shots when the situation demands it, and try to play each ball based on the actual situation you are in.
When the basics become stable, you also get significantly better conditions to develop more advanced techniques and tactics.
