When you are a pickleball beginner, it can feel like everybody else knows every rule and strategy. In this article, we will give you over 20 pickleball tips for beginners to speed up your learning curve to lightning-speed.
When I was just starting out, I felt really behind (and a little intimidated).
It’s a hard life for beginner pickleball players, isn’t it?
When I was a newbie, my soft game was awful. And every time I went to the court, I thought: “Today is the day. My dinks will be better today.”
And then I would lose again. Aaah!
Well, I don’t want you to go through the same painfully, slow process that I went through to learn the game.
I want to jumpstart your learning to light-speed so you can quickly take your game to the next level.
You’re like Little Mac from Mike Tyson’s Punch Out, and I’m Doc Louis coaching you through, step-by-step, how to knockout the Don Flamingos and Bald Bulls of the pickleball world–until you’re finally staring down the pickleball-version of Mike Tyson, ready to take him down.
In this post, we’re going to skip the fluff and get right to the point with 26 pickleball tips for beginners.
Here is the list of 26 pickleball tips for beginners if you want to skip ahead:
- Serve Safe
- Stay Back
- Get to the Kitchen
- Follow the Ball with Your Eye
- Play It Safe
- Focus on Placement Over Power
- Develop Your Backhand
- Maintain Good Communication as a Team
- Develop Your Hand Speed
- Stretch and Recover
- Use the Power of the Third Shot
- Hit to Your Opponent’s Weakness
- Make Adjustments Mid-Game
- Master the Dink Shot
- Play with Pace
- Drill Regularly
- Use Athletic Position
- Go Middle or Go Home
- Ask Questions
- Switch Players in a Battle
- Get Good Shoes
- Take lessons
- Choose the Right Paddle
- Study the Game
- Keep Your Grip Loose
- Have Fun
We are going to break these tips down into stages to make it as easy as apple pie.
Learn the first five tips and once you can apply them proficiently in a game, you can start working on tips 6 through 10 and so on–until you are the reigning world pickleball champion!
Or something like that…
So let’s get after it.
15 Pickleball Tips for Beginners: How Do Beginners Get Better at Pickleball?
There are many things that can help a beginner player become a good player. From consistency on shots to learning pickleball strategy, there is much to learn when you are starting out.
But you don’t need to rush it. Take it a few steps at a time and you will be a pickleball expert before you know it.
Let’s jumpstart your growth in three phases. Starting with…
Pickleball Tips for Beginner Phase
Pickleball Tip #1: Serve Safe
The serve is the most important shot in the game of pickleball, because it is the one shot you have complete control over.
When I was starting out, I wanted to ace every serve, but you don’t need to win the point with a single shot.
Hit deep serves to a safe place on the opposite side of the net.
If you do that, you will keep your opponent back in their court, which is the best way to keep them away from the kitchen.
For more on serving strategies and pickleball serving rules, check out our article on What is a Legal Serve in Pickleball.
Pickleball Tip #2: Stay Back
Don’t give into the creep.
I know, I know: that sounds like the advice a woman gives her best friend in the heart-wrenching moment of a chick flick.
But it’s actually great pickleball advice.
When I first started playing, I wanted to rush to the net right after I served.
Some of the veterans called that “the creep.”
I had a tendency to creep forward.
But there was one big problem: I had to let the return shot bounce in the court to follow the double bounce rule.
According to the pickleball rules, the first two shots of a rally have to bounce before you can hit them. At the start of the rally, the server will hit the ball over the net, and the receiving team must let it bounce before returning it. Then, when the receiving team hits that shot back, it must also bounce before the serving team can hit it.
So stay back. Don’t creep. Wait for the bounce, hit it, and then move up.
Pickleball Tip #3: Get to the Kitchen
After following the double bounce rule, you should get to the kitchen as fast as possible.
When I first started playing, I would wander into the middle of the court. But this is no man’s land.
The first team to reach the kitchen line often gains the advantage.
So after your second shot, you want to start working your way to the non-volley zone.
Pickleball Tip #4: Follow The Ball with Your Eyes
You need to track the pickleball at all times with your eyes.
If you watch the ball come off your opponent’s paddle, it will help you anticipate the direction, and even the spin of the pickleball, and you’ll be in the best position to hit a return.
Pickleball Tip #5: Play It Safe
During a pickleball rally, you should keep the ball in play as long as possible.
That may sound obvious. You’re thinking, “Well, duh, I was trying to hit it out of bounds this whole time! Thanks for letting me know, Captain Obvious.”
But many beginner pickleball players try to do too much. They want to hit a fancy spin shot or a deep lob to the back of the court.
These are both quick ways to lose a point when you are just starting out. And honestly, this is the main reason I lost so much when I first started playing.
According to the USA Pickleball Association, “Seventy-five percent of all rallies are won or lost because of unforced errors, many of them at the baseline.”
So…hit to the middle of the court and keep it in bounds. Let your opponent make the mistake. There’s a very good chance they will, and you’ll get the point.
Moving From the Beginner Phase
Once you are consistent and proficient with these first five pickleball tips, you should start to win more games.
And then you’ll be ready to start applying some more of our top tips.
You’ve unlocked: the beginner intermediate phase (cue the “Rocky” music and inspirational speech).
Pickleball Tips for Beginner Intermediate Phase
Pickleball Tip #6: Focus on Placement over Power
When you can place the pickleball exactly where you want it on a consistent basis, you know that you are growing out of your pickleball baby phase. It was also during this phase that I stopped tinkling in my pants when someone hit a smash at me. But enough about me…
As a new player, I wanted to hit the ball hard all the time. Everything was power, power, power. This is one of the biggest mistakes that beginning pickleball players make.
But pickleball is about finesse. It’s not a power game. And you will win more by good ball placement than by smashing forehands all day, especially as you face players who are at a higher level of play.
So work on hitting your dinks to the corners of the kitchen and sending low balls towards the feet of the opposing team.
Pickleball Tip #7: Develop Your Backhand
As a pickleball player, you should learn to be proficient and accurate with both your forehand and backhand shots.
And as you grow in your skill level and play more skilled players, you will need both shots–even in casual play.
But what are they?
Forehand Shot: This is where you hit the ball with the front of your paddle while using your dominant hand.
Backhand Shot: You will hit the ball with the back of your paddle. Don’t roll your wrist over on this shot. Keep it firm to develop more consistency.
Most players develop their forehand quickly. It’s the natural way to hit the ball.
But you should also do drills to strengthen your backhand and then start using it in game situations.
If you want to really start developing your backhand, PrimeTime Pickleball has a great video that will help you along.
Pickleball Tip #8: Maintain Good Communication as a Team
In singles pickleball, you are free to move about the court as you wish.
But in doubles pickleball, you need to move in unison with your partner, and in order to work together, you must have good communication with your them.
Before and during the game, you will want to be clear on these basic questions:
- Who will hit the ball down the middle? Your opponent will try to take advantage of a possible miscommunication. She’s smart. So she will attempt to hit a return down the middle in hopes that you both will swing at the ball. Before the game, establish who will take the shot down the middle. Often, teams will agree that the person with the forehand opportunity should take the shot.
- What are you keywords or phrases? As a team, you will want to have a short phrase to call out if you want the shot. Simple phrases like, “mine” or “got it,” work wonders in a fast-paced match.
Pickleball Tip #9: Develop Your Hand Speed
The majority of pickleball games are played at the net.
And at the net, the ball gets on you fast.
So you need to develop your reflexes and hand speed.
One of the best drills for this is the wall drill. It’s simple. Stand about 4 feet from the wall and volley the ball off the wall, alternating between forehand and backhand punches.
You can even do this one at home. All you need is flat wall.
I use a drywall wall in my garage, and it doesn’t leave a mark because it’s a plastic ball.
Here is a great video from Davis Pickleball showing you the wall drill to improve you reaction time.
Pickleball Tip #10: Stretch and Recover
The best way to get better at pickleball is to play more pickleball.
But you have to stay healthy to stay on the court, and pickleball injuries have been far too common in recent years.
Much has been said about getting a good warm up before playing, but more important is how you recover after you play.
After playing pickleball, you should have an intentional recovery plan to make sure your muscles are in the best condition the next time you go to play.
Here is a simple routine from a Healthline expert article for workout recovery:
- Hydrate: Drink, drink, drink. Before you get too excited, we are talking about water.
- Stretch: Don’t skimp on the stretching, especially your achilles and lower leg.
- Massage Your Muscles: After a good pickleball game, your muscles will likely be sore and tight. In the evening, you should massage your muscles using a good foam roller or a theragun. I love my theragun and use it after most workouts. It helps get inflammation out and kickstart healing.
- Sleep: You need to get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night. Don’t skimp on it, especially after a long pickleball day. Get solid sleep at night, and don’t be afraid to take a nap, too.
You may think that recovery is a waste of time, but if you do it regularly and intentionally, it can keep you on the court and out of the physical therapy office.
Moving From the Beginner Intermediate Phase
Now you’re really starting to kick butt.
And if you’ve mastered these tips, I bet you’re winning a lot more games now. Way to go! Now you’re on your way to pickleball takeover.
But there’s one more phase we want to get you to: beginner advanced phase.
Pickleball Tips for Beginner Advanced Phase
Pickleball Tip #11: Use the Power of the Third Shot
The third shot is one of the most important shots of a rally.
Let’s imagine a rally for a moment.
You hit your serve in the right place–deep in your opponents’ backcourt.
They let it bounce and then hit a deep return that lands near the back of your court.
As the ball comes back at you, there’s a lot of pressure: your shot will set the course of the rally.
A drop shot is a great way to neutralize your opponent’s advantage at the kitchen.
The goal is to hit it about 6-7 feet in the air and land it in the kitchen with a soft bounce.
That will give you time to move toward your kitchen line.
Pickleball Tip #12: Hit to Your Opponent’s Weakness
Now that you are getting more consistent with your shot placement, let’s get to some pickleball strategies.
And this one is simple: identify your opponent’s weakness and hit at it. If they struggle with their backhand, hit the ball toward their backhand. If it’s hard for them to get to the low shot, hit it low.
Play smart and always be looking for an advantage.
Pickleball Tip #13: Make Adjustments Mid-Game
As you start to notice patterns in your opponent’s play, you should make adjustments to how they are playing you.
In a recent game, I had an opponent who liked to lob the ball into our side of the court, but I was able to get under it and hit an overhead smash. He would stay back at the baseline and return my smash shots with another lob and we could continue in an endless cycle.
Partway through the game, I realized that he wanted me to keep smashing and he would just keep hitting it back until I made a mistake. After a few times, I thought: I’ll fake a smash and drop the ball in kitchen.
It was an easy point.
As you can tell, I’m not the quickest learner, but I made an adjustment and gained the advantage.
Pickleball Tip #14: Master the Dink Shot
Confession time: it’s hard to play around the non-volley zone
When you’re a beginner, being at the kitchen line is like being Ricky Bobby in an interview: you don’t know what to do with your hands.
You have to follow the kitchen rule, which states that, if you are standing in the kitchen, you have to let the ball bounce before hitting it.
So do I hit it out of the air? Do I smash it?
What should I do?
Most beginners want to kill everything in sight, but this is a recipe for losing. That is one of the most common mistakes that new players make.
Points are often won by finesse at the kitchen, and the best players accept this reality and develop new skills to win in that area.
Enter the dink–a finesse shot near the non-volley line. It’s often the best chance to win a point near the kitchen.
You need to master the dink to get to the next level in your game.
Here are a few good tip for hitting a dink shot:
- Consistency: Practice your dink shots every opportunity you get. You want to be able to execute your dink every time on the court.
- Patience: Don’t try to win every rally on the next shot. Be patient. Get the ball over the net, and let your opponent make the mistake.
- Placement: Aim your dinks at strategic spots, such as your opponent’s weaker side or far from their reach, to gain an advantage in the rally.
If you want to learn more about the dink, we have a great post on What is a Dink and How to Hit It Effectively,
Pickleball Tip #15: Play with Pace
Don’t be afraid to slow the game down or speed it up.
If your opponent hits a hard shot, hit a soft dink back at them into the kitchen.
Your goal is to get the opposing player off balance so they make a mistake.
Moving From the Beginner Advanced Phase
With these beginner tips, you’re well on your way to smoking younger players and experienced players.
But you gotta keep drilling and playing.
Pickleball Mike Tyson, here we come!
But as you continue to work your way to pickleball glory, we’ve got some more tips for you.
11 More Simple Tips For All Skill Levels
There are some tips that are good for rec play beginners and advanced players, alike.
These 11 tips are good for all shapes and sizes:
- Drill Regularly: Find a partner or buy a pickleball machine and do drills several times per week. Work on your serve, your dink shot, and your third shot drop. Get better today.
- Use Athletic Position: When your opponent is getting ready to hit the ball, you should split-step and get into the athletic ready position (paddle up at chest, knees bent, feet shoulder-width apart). Then, you’ll be ready to react to their shot.
- Go Middle or Go Home: Hit your shots toward the middle of the court, especially in doubles pickleball. It’s a safe shot because you are staying away from the sidelines, and it is often a weak spot for rec players, especially if the partners don’t communicate well.
- Ask Questions: When you play someone who is better than you, ask them questions about ways to improve. You could ask them a few simple questions like: What am I doing well? What should I work on? How can I reduce my unforced errors? They’ll be flattered that you asked, and you’ll grow as a player and as a person (humility looks good on you).
- Switch Players in a Battle: If you are in a rally battle with one specific player and you keep dinking or volleying back and forth at one another, don’t be afraid to mix it up and hit to their partner. This can catch them off guard and cause an unforced error simply because they were out of rhythm.
- Get Good Shoes: As you prepare to play pickleball, you should get the right equipment. And your most important piece of equipment will be your pickleball shoes. You may be thinking: Shoes? Are you kidding me? Yep, shoes. Surprisingly, they are the most important thing you will buy as you prepare to play. A bad pair of shoes can lead to injuries, and at that point, it doesn’t matter what kind of paddle you have because you won’t be able to use it while you’re on the injured list. Get good pickleball shoes that are comfortable and durable. If you’re not sure what to look for, the ASICS Gel-RENMA Pickleball Shoes (Men)[Outdoor] and ASICS Gel-Challenger 12 Tennis Shoes (Women) [Outdoor] are a great place to start.
- Take lessons: You’re never too advanced to learn something new. Take lessons from a local pickleball coach. Simply type this into Google: “Pickleball beginner lessons near me” or “Where can I learn to play pickleball.” Or go to a pickleball camp such as LevelUP Pickleball and Engage Pickleball.
- Choose the Right Paddle: Pickleball paddles come in various materials and paddle dimensions. If you are shopping for your first paddle, we suggest you get a standard pickleball paddle (and stay away from wooden paddles). It’s the best balance between power and control. The Paddletek New Era Bantam EX-L is a great paddle for a beginner. And if you are wanting to learn more about what to look for in a paddle, check out our comprehensive guide on How to Choose Pickleball Paddles. Don’t skimp on your pickleball equipment.
- Study the Game: There are incredible resources on the internet to learn more about pickleball through blogs and YouTube videos.Two of my favorite YouTube channels for pickleball are: Primetime Pickleball and Enhance Pickleball. Here at Pickleball Takeover, we also have some amazing blog posts that can help you on your pickleball journey. Here are a few of our favorites:
- The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Pickleball: This is a comprehensive guide that you will walk you step-by-step to preparing to hit the pickleball court for the first time.
- How To Play Pickleball Better: This gives you 10 strategies and 8 drills to take your game to the next level.
- Keep Your Grip Loose: If your grip gets too tight, you will be more prone to power and less accurate with touch. With a loose grip, you can adapt your paddle angle quickly and adapt to different shots. Stay loose, baby.
- Have Fun: It’s a sport. Don’t forget to have a great time enjoying the pickleball life. Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum will be proud.
What To Do Next
If you are just beginning on your pickleball journey, we hope that these beginner pickleball tips will take you farther along.
Pickleball is so different from many other paddle sports and racquet sports. You’re using a wiffle ball, and you’re definitely not on a tennis court anymore.
But we want to make the transition smooth.
We have a step-by-step guide for beginner pickleball players. We provide you with every detail you need to join the fastest growing sport in the US and take the pickleball court by storm.
And if you want more tips to play pickleball better, check out our article with 10 more pickleball tips.
You may also want to get familiar with the rules of pickleball. We have printable pickleball rules and a simplified guide to take with you to the court.
You can print that here.
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