Learn simple court sense, grip, footwork, and shot basics for fast improvement.
I’ve coached and played pickleball for years, and I know what helps new players the most. This guide on pointers for playing pickleball as a beginner breaks down gear, rules, drills, strategy, and practice plans in plain language. Read on and you’ll get clear steps, real-world tips, and easy drills that help you play better quickly.
Why pick up pickleball as a beginner?
Pickleball is easy to learn and fun to play. The game moves fast but uses smaller court space. New players find it social and low-impact compared to many racket sports. The pointers for playing pickleball as a beginner focus on simple skills that give quick wins and boost confidence. I’ll show what to learn first so you can enjoy matches and improve each week.
Essential gear and how to choose it
Pick good gear so you practice well and avoid injury. The right paddle, shoes, and ball make a big difference.
- Paddle: Pick a paddle that feels light and balanced in your hand. A midweight paddle makes control easier for beginners.
- Shoes: Choose court shoes with lateral support. Running shoes lack side support and can put you at risk.
- Ball: Use a regulation indoor or outdoor pickleball depending on where you play. Outdoor balls are firmer and wind-sensitive.
- Grip tape: Replace worn grip tape often. A good grip keeps the paddle steady and reduces wrist strain.
- Clothing: Wear breathable, flexible clothes and bring a water bottle and towel.
When I first taught beginners, swapping to a lighter paddle helped players keep rallies longer. These practical pointers for playing pickleball as a beginner reduce frustration and speed up improvement.
Basic rules and scoring you should know
Learn a few rules to play confidently. Keep these basics front of mind.
- Court and serve: Serve underhand, below the waist, diagonally to the opponent’s service box.
- Double bounce rule: After the serve, each side must let the ball bounce once before volleys.
- Non-volley zone: The 7-foot area near the net is the kitchen. No volleys allowed there.
- Scoring: Only the serving side scores. Games often go to 11 points and must win by 2.
- Faults: Hitting out, volleying in the kitchen, or miscues count as faults.
Memorize these simple rules and you’ll play more confidently. These core pointers for playing pickleball as a beginner keep games fair and fun.
Fundamental skills and drills to practice
Start with a few core skills that carry the game: serve, return, dink, volley, and the groundstroke.
- Serve basics
- Aim for consistent contact and a controlled, underhand swing.
- Practice a target drill: place cones in the service box and aim for them.
- Return of serve
- Step toward the ball and try to return deep to the opponent’s baseline.
- Use a short, controlled swing to reduce errors.
- Dink game
- Practice soft shots into the kitchen to force short returns.
- Drill: partner dinks back and forth at slow pace for 50 exchanges.
- Volleys and blocks
- Keep the paddle out in front and use a compact motion.
- Practice reaction volley drills at the kitchen line.
- Third-shot drop
- Learn the soft third-shot drop to move from baseline to the net.
- Drill: serve/return sequence leading to a slow drop into the kitchen.
I used these drills with new players and saw steady improvement in one to three weeks. These pointers for playing pickleball as a beginner focus your practice on moves that matter most.
Basic strategy and court positioning
Good positioning wins points more than flashy shots. Use simple strategy to get better faster.
- Stay ready: Bend your knees and stay on the balls of your feet.
- Move as a team: In doubles, communicate and move together toward the net after the third-shot drop.
- Control the kitchen line: Winning the net gives you control. Use dinks and drops to get there.
- Play high-percentage shots: Aim deep or at opponent feet instead of risky shots.
- Watch opponent patterns: Hit to their weaker side and change pace to break rhythm.
When I coach, I tell new players to focus on net position and simple placement. These pointers for playing pickleball as a beginner make strategy easy to use on the court.
Common mistakes beginners make and how to fix them
Avoid these frequent errors to speed your learning. Small fixes give big gains.
- Gripping too tight
- Problem: Tension reduces wrist feel and leads to errors.
- Fix: Relax your grip and breathe during points.
- Rushing to the net too early
- Problem: You get passed or out of position.
- Fix: Use the third-shot drop to safely move forward.
- Standing upright and flat-footed
- Problem: Slow reactions and poor balance.
- Fix: Bend knees, stay low, and move in short steps.
- Forgetting the double bounce rule
- Problem: Faults and lost points.
- Fix: Count the bounce after serve and return until volleying starts.
- Trying power over placement
- Problem: More errors and fewer rallies.
- Fix: Prioritize placement and soft shots until your control improves.
I learned these fixes the hard way when I started. Once I relaxed my grip and learned to dink, my game changed. Use these pointers for playing pickleball as a beginner to avoid the traps many new players fall into.
A simple 4-week practice plan for beginners
Consistent, focused practice beats long random sessions. Try this plan.
Week 1: Basics and comfort
- Focus: Serve, return, and footwork.
- Drill: 20 serves, 20 returns, 5 minutes of footwork ladder or side steps.
Week 2: Dinks and net play
- Focus: Kitchen control and soft hands.
- Drill: 50 dink exchanges with a partner, volley blocks for 10 minutes.
Week 3: Third-shot drops and movement
- Focus: Move to the net safely.
- Drill: Serve/return sequences with third-shot drop practice for 30 minutes.
Week 4: Match play and tactics
- Focus: Play points and apply strategy.
- Drill: Play short games to 7, then review errors and focus next session on weak spots.
Repeat and adjust based on progress. These pointers for playing pickleball as a beginner give structure and measurable goals. Track small wins like fewer unforced errors and more time at the net.
Safety, warm-up, and injury prevention
Stay healthy so you can play longer. Warm-up and common-sense care matter.
- Warm-up: 5–10 minutes of light cardio and dynamic stretches before play.
- Cool-down: Stretch calves, hamstrings, and shoulders after play.
- Hydration: Drink water during breaks, especially outdoors.
- Listen to pain: Rest and see a pro if pain persists beyond normal soreness.
- Cross-train: Add balance and strength work to reduce injury risk.
I had a wrist strain early on. Strength work and better grip tape fixed it. These pointers for playing pickleball as a beginner keep you on the court week after week.
Frequently Asked Questions of pointers for playing pickleball as a beginner
What is the easiest way to start learning pickleball?
Start with basic serve and return drills and short rallies at the kitchen line. Focus on consistency before power.
How often should a beginner practice?
Aim for 2–3 short sessions per week, 30–60 minutes each, to build habit and avoid fatigue. Consistency beats long, rare sessions.
Do I need special shoes for pickleball?
Yes. Wear court shoes with good lateral support to protect your ankles and knees during side-to-side movement. Avoid running shoes for court play.
What shot should a beginner master first?
Master the dink and third-shot drop early; they control the net and set up winning opportunities. Control and placement matter more than power.
Can I learn pickleball alone?
You can work on serves, footwork, and wall drills alone, but playing with partners accelerates learning and teaches match tactics. Group drills help you adapt to live play.
Conclusion
You can learn pickleball fast by focusing on a few core ideas. Start with a relaxed grip, simple serves, consistent dinks, and safe footwork. Use a short practice plan and track progress each week. Try one drill from this guide in your next session and notice the difference.
Take action: get on court this week, use these pointers for playing pickleball as a beginner, and share your progress in the comments or join a local clinic to keep improving.