15 Common Pickleball Mistakes

And how to fix them

Everyone makes mistakes on the pickleball court — that's part of learning. But some mistakes are so common that nearly every player makes them at some point. Recognizing and fixing these errors is the fastest way to improve your game.

🎯 Positioning Mistakes

Standing Too Far from the Kitchen Line

You're at the line, but actually 2-3 feet back. This gives opponents more time, better angles, and easier shots. Every inch back costs you.

Fix: Consciously toe the line. Your non-volley zone line should be right at your toes. Make it a habit to check your position after every shot.

Not Getting to the Net

After the return of serve, recreational players often hang back at the baseline. This surrenders control of the point to the team at the net.

Fix: After returning serve, follow your shot to the net. This is non-negotiable in doubles. Hit deep returns to give yourself time to get there.

Not Covering the Middle

Partners leave a gap in the middle, and opponents exploit it. Balls down the middle create confusion and errors.

Fix: Stay close to your partner and communicate. Establish who takes middle balls beforehand (usually the forehand player). When in doubt, both players should shade toward center.

🏓 Shot Selection Mistakes

Attacking Low Balls

You try to hit a winner on a ball that's below net height. The physics don't work — you have to hit up, giving opponents an easy put-away.

Fix: Only attack balls at or above net height. Below the net? Dink it. Wait for a ball that pops up, then attack.

Hitting to the Opponent's Forehand

You hit your strongest shot right to their strongest shot. They thank you and put it away.

Fix: Identify weaknesses (usually backhand) and exploit them. Hit to feet, not paddles. Make them move and stretch.

Always Hitting Hard

You bang every ball. It works against weaker players but better opponents just block it back and your errors pile up.

Fix: Mix speeds and spins. Soft game wins more points than hard game. Use power strategically, not constantly. Learn the drop shot and dink.

Short Returns of Serve

Your return lands mid-court, and the serving team attacks immediately. You're on defense from the start.

Fix: Hit deep returns. Aim 2-3 feet inside the baseline. Deep returns give you time to reach the net and keep opponents back.

⚡ Technical Mistakes

Big Backswings

Your paddle goes way back before every shot. At the net, there's no time for this. Volleys get jammed and dinks get popped up.

Fix: Compact swings, especially at the kitchen. Your paddle should stay in front of your body. Push through the ball, don't swing at it.

Wristy Shots

You flip your wrist to add power or spin. Result: inconsistent contact, spray shots, and unforced errors.

Fix: Lock your wrist and use your arm/shoulder. Especially on dinks and volleys, a firm wrist means consistent contact. Save wrist action for advanced spin shots.

Watching the Ball Instead of Moving

You hit a great shot and admire it... while your opponent returns it and you're out of position.

Fix: Hit and recover. Every shot, immediately return to ready position. Assume every ball is coming back.

Stepping Into the Kitchen on Volleys

In the heat of the moment, your momentum carries you into the non-volley zone. That's a fault.

Fix: Stay balanced. After hitting, make sure both feet are planted and stable. Practice staying grounded on aggressive volleys.

🧠 Mental Mistakes

Going for Too Much When Ahead

You're up 9-3 and start taking risky shots. Suddenly it's 9-8 and you're panicking.

Fix: Play your game regardless of score. If patient play got you the lead, patient play closes it out. Don't change what's working.

Dwelling on Mistakes

You miss a shot and you're still thinking about it three points later. Meanwhile, you've lost three more points.

Fix: Develop a reset routine. Deep breath, shake it off, focus on the next point. The last point is gone — you can't get it back.

Playing Opponents, Not the Ball

You're intimidated by a strong opponent and play timidly. Or you underestimate a weaker player and don't focus.

Fix: Play the ball in front of you, not the name on the other side. Execute your game plan regardless of who's across the net.

Not Communicating with Your Partner

Two paddles go up for the same ball. Or neither player moves. Silence kills partnerships.

Fix: Talk constantly. "Mine," "yours," "switch," "I've got middle." Before each game, establish who covers what. During play, never assume — communicate.

The Path to Improvement

You won't fix all of these at once — and that's okay. Pick one or two that resonate, focus on them for a few weeks, and build new habits. Then tackle the next issues. Incremental improvement is still improvement.

The best players aren't the ones who never make mistakes — they're the ones who recognize their patterns and systematically eliminate them. You can do the same.