Common Pickleball Mistakes and How to Fix Them 🤔

Pickleball is a fun and fast-paced sport, but it’s also easy to fall into some common traps that can hold your game back. Whether you’re a beginner or trying to level up, it helps to know what mistakes to avoid—and how professional coaching at Atkinson Pickleball can help you overcome them. Let’s dive into the most frequent blunders and how to fix them. 🎯

1. Struggling with Your Backhand 🤦‍♂️

The backhand can be tricky, especially if you’re used to relying on your forehand. Many players either avoid it altogether or try to power through it, leading to weak, inconsistent shots. The fix? Focus on technique over strength. Coaches like Ryan and Jennie can show you how to properly position your body, adjust your grip, and add control to your backhand, making it a shot you can trust.

Pro Tip: Practice your backhand by aiming for targets and focusing on placement rather than power. Consistent practice will build confidence and consistency.

2. Poor Positioning and "No-Man's Land" Issues 📍

Standing in the wrong spot can quickly turn a winning shot into a lost point. Beginners often find themselves lingering too far back, caught in "no-man's land"—the awkward zone between the baseline and the kitchen line. This mistake gives your opponents an advantage, as they can easily exploit your position. Ryan and Jennie will teach you the importance of positioning, guiding you to the net when it’s right and showing you how to control the court effectively.

Pro Tip: Stay light on your feet, and always be ready to move forward after returning a serve. Positioning is everything in pickleball!

3. Timing Issues 🕒

Timing is crucial in pickleball. Hitting the ball too early or too late can throw off your shot and give your opponent the upper hand. This often happens when players are too eager to smash a high ball or struggle with returning fast serves. To improve your timing, Ryan and Jennie emphasize drills that teach you to read the ball's bounce and respond at the right moment.

Pro Tip: Work on hitting the ball at its peak height. This will give you more control and better accuracy. Don’t rush your shots—focus on timing instead.

4. Inconsistent Serves 🎯

Your serve sets the tone for the entire point, and yet it’s one of the most common sources of errors. Players often hit their serves too hard, too soft, or without enough consistency. Practicing a reliable, deep serve can keep your opponents on the defensive. Ryan specializes in helping players develop a consistent serving technique that doesn’t rely on brute force but on control and placement.

Pro Tip: Aim to place your serves deep, near the baseline. A well-placed serve forces your opponent to stay back, giving you more time to set up your next shot.

5. Lack of Communication in Doubles 🤐

Playing doubles is all about teamwork, and lack of communication is a big reason many doubles teams falter. Players either fail to call out their shots or don’t have a strategy in place, leading to collisions, missed balls, or even easy points for the opposition. At Atkinson Pickleball, Jennie emphasizes the importance of communication, teaching teams how to set up signals and call out plays clearly.

Pro Tip: Before every match, discuss your game plan with your partner. Make sure you’re on the same page about who takes which shots and where you want to place the ball. Good communication can turn a losing team into a winning one.

Get Professional Coaching to Fix These Mistakes 🏆

Mistakes are part of the learning process, but the key is to recognize them and work on fixing them. With the help of Ryan and Jennie at Atkinson Pickleball, you can correct these common errors and turn them into strengths. Whether it’s mastering your backhand, improving your serve, or refining your doubles strategy, their personalized coaching will help you play smarter, not just harder.

Ready to Fix Your Game? Book a Lesson with Us Today