10 Awesome Pickleball Tips for Beginners to Improve Their Game

If you are new to the pickleball train, I bet you won’t be getting off ever. People of different ages and abilities are flocking to the court to get a taste of America’s favorite court sport.

While joining the pickleball community is exciting, it can be a little overwhelming. But fear not, as I have rounded up some expert pickleball tips for beginners. I wish someone had told me these pickleball strategies when I was a beginner. 

Accuracy over Power 

When I shifted to pickleball from tennis, the transition was not easy. In tennis, the risk-reward ratio is quite low, and players are encouraged to hit aces while serving. But it’s different in the pickleball.

In pickleball for beginners, try to hit the serve over the net and in the service box rather than exert power to go above the court. Keep doing it until you meet the required level of accuracy.  

Don’t Go for a Fancy Paddle

I would not recommend spending hundreds of dollars before you even learn to play pickleball. I started with the cheapest wooden pickleball, then shifted to a middle-of-the-road composite paddle. And now, after over a year, I have this high-quality fiberglass paddle.

A decent paddle is your key to excel in this game, but start with a simpler option. So buy pickleball equipment that matches your skill level and offers you more control as a beginner.

Keep the Wrist Firm

This is one of my favorite pickleball tips for beginners. Earlier, I was fond of putting more power on my shots. The result? The ball was laughing at me while sitting outside the court. The spin comes with your swing path when you hit the ball, not by flicking your wrist. So don’t repeat my mistake and avoid moving your wrist to put more power. With no movement in your wrist, you can hit more controlled and consistent shots.

Source: iStock

Try a Variety of Pickleball Drills

Getting familiar with pickleball tips for beginners is pivotal to truly catch the intricacies of this game. I have been into this game for years, but still, I use these drills as a warm-up session before a big match. Solo drills for beginners, like paddle up, hit the target, and selfie ball bounce, give you a valuable hands-on experience for this game.

These drills will help you measure your ball-eye coordination. Besides, they will help provide you with that muscle memory groove required to master this court game.

Get Close to the Kitchen Line

If you are far away from the net, controlling the rally would become a hard battle. When you’ve successfully sent your serve, try moving closer to the net. You will have plenty of time between the serve and the return. 

But what if your opponent is pro at making a deep return? Well! In this case, you might need to pause in the middle of the court to return the shot.

Watch the Pros

Watching pros is another great way to learn pickleball tips and strategies. The top pickleball player “Ben Johns” often states that pickleball is an unsolved game. But watching pros playing on the court provides you with several lessons that you won’t find in any books. 

I must say, I have learned a big part of this game by watching pros playing on YouTube videos. It offers a genuine feel of the game, giving me a lot of confidence while playing. When you get into the court, you will recall their strategies and imprint them in your game to score big.  

Work on Different Shots 

Control, spin, and power are three secret weapons for this game. While playing, learn how you can use power strokes on drives or manipulate them with spins. So, don’t be afraid to test different grip variations and how they can be effective.

Play around with small and large dinks, as well as try cross-court dinks. But, it is also equally important to play defensive and hit the shot with complete finesse.

Master the Third Shot

You’ll find this tip everywhere you’ll read about pickleball tips for beginners. The third shot is the most important as well as tricky part of this game. But practicing this shot makes a big difference.

For this, stand at the baseline and have your opponent stand in the kitchen line. Let your opponent hit volleys at you while you land every ball in the kitchen. With this skill in hand, you can be competitive with virtually anybody.

Source: iStock

Play with a Variety of Players

The best thing about pickleball is you can play with anybody, no matter their age, size, or ability. So grab this opportunity, play with better players, or mess around with the worst players. 

I used to play with my children as well as with my parents. This variety introduces diversity in my experiences and fun alike.

Pre and Post Match Stretch

This is the last point in our pickleball tips for beginners. When I first played pickleball, it was so sore the next morning that I was unable to put on my pants. So, you need to do pickleball exercises and stretches before and after a pickleball session. It is an athletic game that makes use of all the muscles you are not accustomed to using.

FAQs

How do beginners get better at pickleball?

By choosing the right equipment and practicing drills, beginners can improve their Pickleball skills.

How many sets do you need to win pickleball?

Pickleball is played up to 11 points. The winning team should have a 2-point advantage.

How many times can you serve in pickleball?

Unlike tennis, only one serve attempt is allowed in Pickleball.

Take Away for Pickleball Tips for Beginners

These pickleball tips for beginners help you gear up for this exciting game. So don’t wait anymore, and follow these pickleball tips to quickly become a pro. But remember, your goal should be to enjoy this game. Taking it too seriously can deter you from playing this game. So jump into the court! 

Soon, you are going to be a pickleball addict. Now you know that the best pickleball equipment is crucial to up your game, I will walk you through the best pickleball paddles for beginners in the next article.