Pickleball for beginners: 10 tips to improve fast
New to pickleball? These 10 practical tips and tricks will help you improve quickly as a beginner. From the right grip to smart tactics.
Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the world — and for good reason. It's easy to learn, highly social and incredibly addictive. But how do you improve quickly as a beginner? What are the most common mistakes and which techniques make the difference? In this article we share 10 practical tips and tricks that every pickleball beginner can apply immediately. Whether you've just had your first clinic or played a few times — these tips will take your game to the next level. Don't know the rules yet? Start with our complete pickleball rules guide.
"The beauty of pickleball is that after one hour you can play — but after a hundred hours you're still learning new things."
1. Learn the continental grip
The grip is the foundation of every shot. In pickleball, use the 'continental grip' — the same grip as holding a hammer. This grip allows you to hit both forehand and backhand without rotating your hand. Many beginners make the mistake of holding the paddle like a frying pan. Take time to practise the correct grip — it pays double dividends.
- •Hold the paddle like a hammer, not a frying pan
- •Your thumb and index finger form a V-shape on top of the handle
- •Same grip for forehand and backhand
- •Don't grip too tightly — relaxed wrists give more control
- •Practise the grip at home with a paddle in hand
2. Master the dink: the most important shot
The dink is a soft, short ball that just clears the net and lands in your opponent's kitchen (non-volley zone). It's by far the most important shot in pickleball. Beginners often want to hit hard, but the best players win points with patience and control. A good dink forces your opponent to hit the ball upward, giving you the chance to attack.
- •Hit the ball softly and low, just over the net
- •Aim for your opponent's kitchen
- •Use your shoulder and elbow, not your wrist
- •Practise dinking rallies with a partner
- •Patience wins: the dink is not a weakness, it's a weapon
3. Get to the kitchen line
The best position on court is directly behind the kitchen line (the non-volley zone). From here you control the net and can react quickly to every ball. Many beginners stay back at the baseline, but that gives your opponent too much space. After your return, move forward to the kitchen line immediately.
- •Get to the kitchen line as quickly as possible
- •After the return: move forward while the ball is travelling
- •Don't hang back at the baseline
- •The kitchen line gives you the best overview and fastest reaction time
- •In doubles: stand together at the kitchen line as a team
4. Keep your paddle up at all times
One of the most common beginner mistakes is letting the paddle drop between shots. Keep your paddle at chest height, ready to react. This gives you a fraction of a second extra — and in pickleball that makes the difference. Remember: paddle up, feet ready.
- •Paddle at chest height, not by your side
- •Ready stance in a light athletic position
- •After every shot: paddle straight back up
- •Watch the ball, not your opponent
- •Small steps make you faster than big strides
5. Use the third shot drop
The third shot drop is the shot that separates good players from beginners. After the serve (shot 1) and the return (shot 2), the serving team plays the third ball as a soft drop shot into the kitchen. This neutralises the advantage of the returning team who are already at the kitchen line. It's one of the hardest shots to learn, but also the most valuable.
- •Shot 1: serve — Shot 2: return — Shot 3: drop into the kitchen
- •The goal: land the ball low over the net in the kitchen
- •Gives your team time to move to the kitchen line
- •Practise separately: stand at the baseline and drop balls into the kitchen
- •Accept it takes time — even advanced players miss regularly
6. Communicate with your partner
Pickleball is most commonly played as doubles — and communication is crucial. Agree beforehand who takes the middle balls. Call 'mine!' or 'yours!' when in doubt. The best doubles teams play as one unit, move together and cover each other's weaknesses. Without communication, gaps appear in your defence.
- •Agree: the player with the forehand takes the middle
- •Call who takes the ball on every doubtful shot
- •Move as a team: go forward together or back together
- •Encourage your partner — positive energy wins matches
- •Brief debrief after each game: what went well, what to improve
7. Avoid no-man's land
The area between the baseline and the kitchen line is called the 'transition zone' or 'no-man's land'. Here you're vulnerable: too far from the net for control, too close for defence. Try to move through this zone as quickly as possible, preferably after a good third shot drop.
- •The transition zone is the most dangerous position on court
- •Move through it, don't stand still
- •Use a split-step when your opponent hits while you're in the zone
- •A good drop shot gives you time to get through the zone
- •In the zone? Play defensive and wait for a chance to move forward
8. Learn from your mistakes: the 5 most common beginner errors
Every beginner makes the same mistakes. By knowing them, you can correct them faster. The most common errors are: hitting too hard, staying at the baseline, letting the paddle drop, not communicating with your partner, and forgetting the kitchen rules. Sound familiar? Don't worry — it's all part of the learning process.
- •Error 1: hitting too hard (control > power)
- •Error 2: staying at the baseline (find the kitchen line)
- •Error 3: letting the paddle drop (always at chest height)
- •Error 4: not communicating in doubles (call who takes the ball)
- •Error 5: volleying in the kitchen (the non-volley zone is sacred)
9. Invest in a good paddle
As a beginner you can start perfectly well with a borrowed or basic paddle. But once you realise pickleball is your sport, it pays to invest in a quality paddle. A good paddle gives more control, a better sweet spot and less vibration in your arm. Expect to spend €50 to €150 for a solid beginner paddle.
- •Start with a borrowed paddle to discover the feel
- •Mid-weight (210-240 grams) is ideal for beginners
- •Graphite paddles offer the best control
- •Budget: €50-€150 for a good beginner paddle
- •Ask your coach for advice at a clinic
10. Take a clinic at 359.tennis
The fastest way to improve at pickleball is by taking a clinic with experienced coaches. At 359.tennis we offer pickleball clinics for all levels — from absolute beginners to advanced players. Our coaches teach you the right technique, tactics and game sense in a relaxed, professional environment on our premium indoor courts at NTC Amstelveen. Want to come with your team? Check out our pickleball corporate event or our corporate events.
- •Clinics for beginners and advanced players
- •All equipment provided
- •Indoor facilities: year-round
- •Combine with tennis, padel, catering and meetings
- •Suitable for individuals, groups and companies
Key takeaways
- ✓The continental grip is the foundation of every good shot
- ✓The dink is the most important shot in pickleball — practise until you dream it
- ✓Get to the kitchen line as quickly as possible for maximum control
- ✓Communication with your partner makes the difference in doubles
- ✓The third shot drop is the key to progressing from beginner to intermediate
- ✓Take a clinic at 359.tennis to learn the right techniques
Want to learn pickleball or improve faster? Discover our clinics for beginners and advanced players at NTC Amstelveen. All equipment included.
