6 Common Pickleball Mistakes(and How to Fix Them to Win More Points)

If you’ve been wondering why you’re giving away points you should be winning, you’re not alone.
Today, we’re breaking down six common pickleball mistakes and how to fix them—two from the baseline, two from the middle, and two at the non-volley zone (NVZ).

I’ll not only show you what you might be doing wrong, but also exactly how to fix it so you can start playing better pickleball right away.

Hey friends—CJ Johnson here from Better Pickleball, we help pickleball players over 50 play their best game ever.

Big thanks to my friends Vince, Patty, and Jeff for braving the heat to help demonstrate these in action.

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Pickleball Mistake #1: Stepping Inside the Baseline After You Serve

After serving, many players instinctively step forward into the court. The problem?
A good returner will aim deep—about 4 feet from your baseline. If you’ve already stepped in, you’ll have to backpedal quickly, which often leads to rushed, weak shots.

How to fix this pickleball mistake:

• Stay behind the baseline after you serve.

• If your momentum carries you forward, reset your position behind the line before the next shot.

• Get into a ready stance so you’re prepared for a deep return.

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Pickleball Mistake #2: Standing Too Close to the Baseline on Returns

If you crowd the baseline, a deep serve will force you backward—making it harder to control your return.
When your energy is moving away from the net, your shot loses both control and depth.

How to fix this pickleball mistake:

• Stand 2–3 feet behind the baseline when returning serve.

• Adjust after you know your opponent’s serving style.

  • If they never serve deep, move closer.

  • If they occasionally short-serve, stay alert but don’t let the rare short serve dictate your positioning.

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Pickleball Mistake #3: Rushing Forward Without Reading the Third Shot

This happens after your opponent’s return when your partner hits the third shot.
If you charge forward without checking where the ball is going, you can easily get caught by a high, attackable shot at your feet.

How to fix this pickleball mistake:

• If you’re not hitting the third shot, watch your partner’s ball before moving forward.

• Pause briefly, evaluate if the shot will drop softly or pop up high.

• Move forward only when it’s safe to advance.

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Pickleball Mistake #4: Not Stopping Momentum on Short Returns

When a short ball lands, players often sprint forward—and hit while still moving.
That forward momentum transfers into the ball, sending it long or popping it up for your opponent to smash.

How to fix this pickleball mistake:

• Stop your body before making contact.

• Plant your feet, control your swing, then move forward to the NVZ.

• The fewer sources of unplanned energy, the more consistent your shots.

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Pickleball Mistake #5: Focusing Only on Your Side of the Non-Volley Zone

Many beginners focus on not stepping into their own kitchen.
But great players also pay attention to the other side—using the opponent’s NVZ to create offense.

How to fix this pickleball mistake:

• Think less about “Don’t step in my NVZ” and more about how to use theirs.

• Draw them in with short dinks, then attack the pop-up you’ve created.

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Pickleball Mistake #6: Taking Big Swings at the Net

At the NVZ, big backswings are a disaster waiting to happen—especially during dinks or volleys.
Large swings slow your recovery and make you vulnerable to counters.

How to fix this pickleball mistake:

• Use short, compact swings at the net.

• On dinks, keep the motion minimal—just enough to get the ball over.

• On volleys, short swings get you back to ready position faster, helping you defend or counter.

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The Takeaway

Avoiding these common pickleball mistakes will help you stay in control, reduce unforced errors, and win more points.
Even fixing one of these can instantly level up your game.

✅ Action Step: In your next practice or rec game, pick one of these mistakes to watch for—and work on the fix.

Ready to play your best pickleball?

Want to fix your game fast? Click here to get your FREE 7-day trial of the Better Pickleball Academy! https://betterpickleball.com/7-day-tr…

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Pickleball Mistakes – Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the most common pickleball mistakes for beginners?
A: The most common beginner mistakes include stepping inside the baseline after serving, standing too close on returns, rushing forward without reading the shot, not stopping momentum on short balls, focusing only on your side of the non-volley zone, and taking big swings at the net. Fixing even one of these can greatly improve your consistency and control.

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Q: How do I stop making unforced errors in pickleball?
A: Start by slowing the game down mentally—don’t rush shots. Keep your feet moving, reset to a ready position after each stroke, and focus on placement over power. Avoid unnecessary risks and work on controlling your swing size, especially at the net.

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Q: What should I avoid doing in pickleball?
A: Avoid crowding the baseline, chasing every ball without reading the play, and overhitting at the net. You should also avoid watching only your own side—pay attention to your opponents’ positions and weaknesses to create scoring opportunities.

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Q: How can I improve my pickleball serve and return?
A: For serves, stay behind the baseline, aim deep, and recover into a ready position. For returns, stand 2–3 feet behind the baseline, aim for depth, and move forward to the non-volley zone with control after hitting. Avoid stepping backward on your returns unless necessary.

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Q: Why is my pickleball shot going too long or popping up?
A: This usually happens when your body momentum is moving into the ball too much, especially on short returns. Stop your movement before making contact, use shorter swings, and control the paddle face angle to keep the ball low and in play.

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