Pickleball is the new “in” sport, and new people are joining the game all the time. It is fun, social, quick to learn, and a great activity for boosting cardiovascular health.
It is normal not to get everything right when you learn to play pickleball. Maybe you forgot a rule, didn’t manage your volley the way you wanted, or accidentally forgot your sun hat on a blazing summer day.
The Paseo Club is a social club in the Santa Clarita Valley that has supported members in living a healthy lifestyle for over twenty years. The club has extensive fitness, Pilates, swimming, tennis, and pickleball facilities. The pickleball department offers drills, leagues, private lessons, tournaments, and drop-in play.
In this article, we will share the common mistakes pickleball newbies make.
What are the top 7 mistakes beginner pickleball players make?
1. Too much force
New pickleball players often make the mistake of using excessive force, believing power will win points.
Pro tip: Focus your strategy on control and placement for more success in the long run.
2. Neglect proper footwork
It is easy to ignore learning the proper footwork for playing pickleball. However, neglecting this skill can lead to poor positioning and missed shots.
Pro tip: The Paseo Club has a class exclusively for footwork and agility for tennis and pickleball players. Sign up for a series of classes, and see how your game improves!
3. Not close enough to the kitchen line
Pickleball is played primarily at the kitchen line. Many new pickleball players stay too far back from the line. This approach reduces the effectiveness of the volley.
Pro tip: Players must return to the kitchen line as quickly as possible once the serve and return have been executed.
4. Wrong shoes
Beginners often wear inappropriate footwear when they begin to play pickleball. Running shoes are a common choice, but they lack the lateral support needed for quick side-to-side movements. Wearing running shoes, or other improper footwear, increases the risk of injury. You can find pickleball shoes, but they tend to be more expensive than normal court shoes.
Pro tip: Tennis has been making great court shoes for decades, and they work well for pickleball, too. Do not waste your money on brand names.
5. No sun protection
Some new players neglect to wear protective gear, such as sunglasses or hats, leaving them vulnerable to sun glare and potential eye injuries.
Pro tip: Polarized lenses can hinder your depth perception.
6. Not taking lessons
The game of pickleball is generally easy to start — even without a racket sports background. But it takes time, practice, and knowledge to be good at pickleball.
Pro tip: Lessons with an expert is an advantage only a handful of people have. Sign up for a pickleball drill or private lessons to boost your skills quickly.
7. Being too cavalier about safety
Everyone knows pickleball is not the most inherently dangerous sport ever created. However, injuries can occur.
Pro tip: Here are the unwritten rules of pickleball that can keep you safe on the Pickleball courts.
- Stay hydrated
- Wear proper court shoes
- Be kind and courteous to others
- Avoid questioning an opponent’s line calls
- Do not follow a ball onto another active court
- Try to avoid taking advantage of someone’s physical limitations
- Avoid anger, confrontation, excessive yelling, and foul language
- Do not cross behind or through an active court until play has stopped
- Stop playing immediately if a ball from another court enters your active court. Likewise, if your ball goes onto an active court, you should alert the active court and yell “ball on!” to help avoid injuries.
Playing your best pickleball
You do not have to have dozens of years of experience under your belt to join a pickleball game. The wonderful thing about pickleball is it is a forgiving sport. As a newcomer, you are like thousands of others all over the world who are learning to play for the first time.
Becoming aware of mistakes is the first step in learning how to fix them. But be patient — it takes time to learn new skills. The more you play, the more intuitive the game will feel. Remember to be generous with yourself and those around you as you learn.
The Paseo Club offers daily drop-in slots to play pickleball and opportunities to reserve courts. Knowledgeable instructors teach drills to beginner, intermediate, and advanced players. You can also hire one of our coaches for one-on-one training so you can get undivided attention and guidance.
When you aren’t busy playing pickleball, you can take a dip in the junior Olympic pool, try out a fitness class, or grab a bite at the cafe. The Paseo Club is your place for living a social, connected life. Join now and make the Paseo Club your new home away from home.
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