Pickleball is an unpopular game, but that doesn’t make it some boring backyard game. It’s pretty fun, competitive, and seriously addictive. If you are new at it, you can learn it and be perfect at it. That is why we have put together some top pickleball tips and techniques for beginners. These tips and techniques will help you improve the game, avoid common beginner mistakes, and even enjoy yourself while playing.
1. Get Familiar With the Basics
It feels good to want to learn everything all at once, but calm down. A little patience now will save you a whole lot of frustration later. Pickleball is a mix of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton, played on a smaller court with paddles and a funky-looking plastic ball.
The scoring system is a little weird initially, but you’ll pick it up fast. Spend some time getting comfortable with the dink (a soft, controlled shot), your volleys, and your serves. Nail these pickleball basics, and you’ll already be ahead of half the newbies on the court.
2. Stay on Your Toes
Have you ever seen someone standing flat-footed in a game? Yeah, they don’t last long. If you want quick reflexes, you’ve got to stay light on your feet. Keep your knees bent, your weight slightly forward, and be ready to move. It’s kind of like playing defense in basketball; if you’re stiff, you’ll be too slow to react. A lower stance also helps with balance, so you don’t end up tripping over yourself trying to chase the ball.
3. Court Positioning Can Make or Break Your Game
One of the top pickleball tips and techniques for beginners is understanding where to stand on the court. If you ask professionals, they will tell you they aren’t just running mindlessly for fun; they know exactly where they should be.
Stay near the kitchen line (a.k.a. the non-volley zone) whenever possible. This gives you a serious advantage in controlling the game. Also, keep your knees slightly bent and stay light on your feet—good court positioning is all about quick, efficient movement.
4. Your Gamer Posture Matters A Lot
Have you ever seen someone standing stiff as a board on the court? Don’t be that person. Your gamer posture, how you stand and move, affects your reaction speed. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, and paddle up in front of you. This ready position makes it easier to move in any direction. You’ll slow down if you’re too upright or too low. Think of it as an athletic stance: loose, balanced, and always prepared.
5. Control the Tempo
One of the biggest rookie mistakes is letting the opponent dictate the pace. The best players know when to slow things down and when to pick them up.
So, learn to use soft, controlled dinks to frustrate aggressive players. Then, when they least expect it, speed things up. If you can keep your opponent guessing, you’re already winning half the battle.
6. The Kitchen is Your Best Friend
One of the biggest rookie mistakes is hanging out too far from the net. The “kitchen” (aka the non-volley zone) is where the action happens. Most points are won up there, so if you’re chilling near the baseline too much, you’re basically inviting your opponent to run the show. And if you’re playing doubles, talk to your partner. Move as a team; otherwise, you’ll leave gaps wide open, and your opponents will take full advantage.
7. Practice Like You Mean It
You won’t get better at pickleball just by playing actual games. You need extra time to practice on your own or with a partner. No practice partner? No problem at all. Find a wall and hit against it.
If you want an edge, try some balance and agility drills (or even some challenging yoga poses, if you feel fancy). The more muscle memory you build, the more natural everything will feel during game time.
8. Mistakes Are Normal
Look, you’re going to mess up. You’re going to hit the ball into the net. You’re going to serve one straight into the ground. It happens to everyone. The trick is not letting those mistakes mess with your head. The best players don’t dwell on bad shots; they reset, focus, and move on. And don’t forget, pickleball is supposed to be fun. Laugh at your faults, celebrate the good shots, and enjoy the game.
Just Keep Playing
Nobody becomes a pickleball pro overnight, not even with these top pickleball tips and techniques for beginners. But if you focus on smart positioning, work on a killer serve, and remember that finesse beats power, you’ll see improvements fast.
Most importantly, just keep playing. The more time you spend on the court, the better you’ll get. So grab that paddle, hit the court, and have a blast. You got this.
