Top 10 Common Mistakes Beginners Make and How to Fix Them | A Coach's On-site Perspective

"I keep making the same mistakes without realizing it." — When your progress stalls, it's often because you're falling into "common mistakes." Conversely, just knowing about these can help you get ahead.

I'm Yoshi Coach. I've been playing tennis for 15 years and discovered pickleball in 2026. There are "classic" mistakes I see repeatedly in my lessons. In this article, I've compiled the TOP 10 common mistakes beginners make, along with "why they happen + how to fix them." Let's start by addressing the ones that resonate with you.

1. Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone) Violation

Volleying inside the kitchen near the net, or entering the kitchen due to momentum after hitting the ball — this is the most common foul.

• How to fix it: Stand one step back from the kitchen line when preparing to hit. Momentum after a volley is also a foul, so allow yourself enough space. For rules, refer to the Complete Rules Guide.

2. Forgetting the Two-Bounce Rule

The first two balls (serve and return) must bounce once, but you instinctively rush forward and volley.

• How to fix it: Consciously think, "Wait for the first two balls." The serving team should not approach the net until the third shot.

3. Shallow Return

Returning the serve too shallow, allowing your opponent to move forward.

• How to fix it: The basic principle is to hit the ball deep. Don't hit it too short out of fear of hitting it out (Return Fundamentals).

4. Not Advancing to the Net (Staying Back)

Staying on the baseline and giving up the advantageous net area to your opponent.

• How to fix it: After hitting a return or the third shot, move forward to the net. For how to move through the transition zone, refer to Mastering the Transition Zone.

5. Hitting Too Hard

Hitting everything with full power and self-destructing. Pickleball, in my opinion, is a game where "accuracy" trumps "power."

• How to fix it: Dink low balls to keep them in play. Only attack balls that are sitting up (Speed-up Fundamentals).

6. Standing Still with Feet Stuck

Hitting with only your arms without moving your feet, leading to being jammed.

• How to fix it: Perform a split step the moment your opponent hits the ball. Maintain a low stance (Footwork).

7. Lack of Partner Coordination (Doubles)

Leaving a gap between two players, indecision about who takes the ball, or players moving in opposite directions.

• How to fix it: Maintain a straight line horizontally with your partner and move up and down the court together (Doubles Positioning).

8. Inconsistent Serve

Hitting a weak serve to ensure it goes in, or going for power and faulting. Self-destructing due to an unstable serve.

• How to fix it: First and foremost, ensure it goes in. Prioritize control, keeping it low and deep (Complete Serve Guide).

9. Attacking the Dink Too Quickly

Getting impatient with slow rallies and attempting to attack low balls, leading to errors.

• How to fix it: Be patient and continue dinking low balls. Only attack balls that are sitting up (5 Dinking Fundamentals).

10. Dropping Your Guard Too Soon

Dropping your paddle after hitting the ball, making it impossible to react to the next fast shot.

• How to fix it: Always keep your paddle in front of your body at navel height. Immediately get back into position after hitting.

💡 Coach Yoshi's Tip You don't have to fix all 10 at once. I believe the fastest way to improve is to tackle them one by one, for example, by saying "Today, I'll only focus on kitchen violations." Mistakes are not something to be ashamed of; they are signs of potential for growth.

Summary

• Common mistakes include 1. Kitchen violation, 2. Forgetting the two-bounce rule, 3. Shallow returns, 4. Staying back, 5. Hitting too hard.
• Also, 6. Standing still, 7. Lack of coordination, 8. Inconsistent serve, 9. Attacking too quickly, 10. Dropping your guard too soon.
• The solutions are all simple. By focusing on them one by one, you'll steadily reduce your mistakes.

Recognizing "Which one am I falling into?" is the first step. Read the in-depth articles about the mistakes that concern you and overcome them one by one. If you're unsure where to start, feel free to contact me on LINE, and we can sort it out together.

Related Products

Related Articles

• Complete Rules Guide — Kitchen and Two-Bounce
• Return Fundamentals — Hitting Deep
• Mastering the Transition Zone — Moving Forward
• 5 Dinking Fundamentals — Don't Rush to Attack
• How to Get Started with Pickleball — Basic Flow

References

1. USA Pickleball — Official Rulebook