Pickleball Tips to Take Your Game to the Next Level

Put away your tennis and ping-pong rackets, because there's a new popular racket sport in town. As a result of its meteoric climb to fame, Pickleball is now well recognized and enjoyed across the United States. Pickleball is so popular that it has its own tournaments, leagues, and even a professional circuit.

Pickleball was created in the 1960s, and it has since become a popular sport and social activity. But that has nothing to do with its ability to compete. Using advice from pickleball experts, you may elevate your game to the next level. 

What are the best pickleball tips for beginners? 

You'll be ready to study tactics to improve your game once you've played a few times and mastered the fundamentals. Here are five pro-approved pickleball pointers aimed squarely at newcomers. 

1. Forget about power 

"I have three things that I focus on called the kingdom principles: patience, consistency, and placement," professional pickleball player David Haynie told GoodRx Health. "Notice how none of those three constitutes actual authority?" Haynie, a pickleball veteran who has reached a world ranking of 11th, claims that most new players don't need to add extra force to their swings. 

Mastering self-control allows you to better gauge when to use and when to restrain your strength. A powerful underhand, cross-court serve is one example. This can hinder your opponent's ability to serve back. When volleying from the center of the court, though, you may not require quite as much power. 

2. Practice your stance and position

Pickleballs, being composed of plastic and featuring a number of holes, do not have the same high bounce as tennis or ping-pong balls. Therefore, you need to maintain a supple athletic posture, prepared to change directions rapidly. You should aim for a footspacing that's just beyond shoulder width, and the balls of your feet should carry most of your body weight. Kneel down and lean forward a little. "We've all seen the ball hit the top of the net and fall just short," Haynie remarked. To improve as a player, "you'd better be ready to lunge forward."

Aim to stand "square up or square to ball." This ensures that both you and your paddle will have a clear shot at the ball. "Pickleball is played in front of you," Haynie remarked. Aim for the ball while keeping your paddle in sight. You'll be able to make more well-placed shots that are accurate and consistent with this. In addition, you will be following the ball instead of trying to catch it.

3. Avoid hitting the net

Despite the fact that it may seem clear, you may frequently see pickleball players making contact with the net. The key to avoiding this mistake is to maintain vigilance. Listen to the feedback you're getting when your shots [strike the net], Roig said. 

You could try shifting where you stand or how you hold your paddle. A coach or teammate can watch your game and give you feedback on how to improve your form. The net should not be hit that low, as Roig pointed out. As long as your opponent lets the ball bounce twice, you can hit these shots as high as you like under the two-bounce rule. Put your understanding of this regulation to good use.

4. Take your time

Both experts agree that a common rookie error in pickleball is to play too quickly. There are "too many players" who think they can "rush every shot" and "drive the ball through or past their opponent," as Hainey put it. There's a chance this could work. However, its usefulness diminishes as your skill level rises. 

"Rushing in and out of shots results in a hurried mind as well as an increase in mistakes," said Roig. In a pickleball match, there is more downtime than the players realize. The solution is to take your medicine. "You are listening for a nice metronome rhythm: bounce-hit, bounce-hit," Roig explained.

5. Use the non-volley zone to your advantage

Think about incorporating the non-volley zone into your game plan as you train for the intermediate level. The "kitchen," or non-volley zone, is where players are most cautious to play. You are allowed to volley the ball into the opponent's defensive area. However, while hitting, you must stay within your designated volley area. 

According to Hainey, "it is true that the non-volley zone limits you...on your side." When volleying, players are not allowed to enter the court beyond the seven-foot line. But, he went on, "the non-volley zone on [the opponent's] side of the net is set up for you." You can use this area of the court to your advantage in various ways.

Use the court's "non-volley zone" to your advantage in pickleball. The non-volley zone is what allows for the third shot drop, which Hainey calls "the defining shot in pickleball." "Your game will reach new heights if you make greater use of this area of the court."