Everyone makes mistakes on the pickleball court. The good news? Most points in social games aren't won by brilliant shots. They're lost by a handful of the same mistakes. Fix these and you'll win more rallies without hitting a single ball harder.
1. The kitchen foul
The mistake: volleying the ball (hitting it before it bounces) while you're standing in the kitchen or touching the kitchen line. It often happens when you rush forward to put a ball away, or when your momentum carries you into the kitchen after a volley.
Stepping into the kitchen on its own isn't a fault. You can stand in it any time, and you can step in to play a ball that has bounced. The fault is volleying from it.
✔ The fix
- Let it bounce: if the ball is landing in the kitchen, wait for it to bounce, step in, play it, then step back out.
- Toes behind the line: set up with your toes just behind the kitchen line, not on it.
- Stop, then go: after a volley near the line, get balanced before you move. Momentum counts.
- Keep your paddle out of it too: if your paddle or hat lands in the kitchen as part of a volley, it's still a fault.
Video: Rules to Remember at the Pickleball Kitchen, with USA Pickleball referee Maddie Toren (YouTube)
More detail: the kitchen rule explained.
2. The mishit
The mistake: hitting the ball late, off-centre or off the edge of the paddle. The ball pops up, goes into the net or sails long.
Mishits are rarely about your arm. They're usually about your feet and your preparation.
✔ The fix
- Get into ready position early: knees soft, weight on the balls of your feet, paddle up in front of your chest. Reset to this after every shot.
- Split step: do a small hop as your opponent hits, so you're balanced and ready to move either way.
- Meet the ball out in front: contact should happen in front of your body, not beside or behind you. If you're hitting late, start your preparation earlier.
- Watch the ball onto the paddle: keep your eyes and head still through contact.
- Shorten your swing: near the net, a compact punch or push is more reliable than a big swing.
Does your paddle matter? Yes. A paddle that's too heavy, head-heavy or too big in the grip makes you late. A forgiving sweet spot helps too: off-centre hits still travel well instead of dying in the net. A stable 16mm paddle that's easy to swing gives you more margin for error.
3. Poor positioning
The mistake: partners drifting too far apart, one up and one back, or both standing still while the ball moves. The gap down the middle is where most doubles points are lost.
✔ The fix
- Move as a pair: imagine you're joined by a 3–4 metre rope. When one moves, the other moves too.
- Side by side, not up and back: get to the kitchen line together. One up, one back leaves a gap your opponents will hit straight through.
- Shift with the ball: when the ball goes to one side, both of you slide that way. The player nearest the ball covers the line; the partner covers the middle.
- Agree who takes the middle: a simple rule many pairs use: the player with the forehand in the middle takes it. Call "mine" or "yours" early.
Video: Pickleball Doubles Positioning 101, with pro player Catherine Parenteau (YouTube)
3 more mistakes worth fixing
| Mistake | Why it costs you | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Going for winners too early | Low-percentage shots become unforced errors | Be patient. Dink and wait for a high ball to attack |
| Staying back after the return | The team at the net controls the rally | Hit your return deep, then move up to the kitchen line |
| Backpedalling for lobs | Easy to lose balance and fall | Turn sideways and shuffle back, or let your partner take it |
Play smarter from the start
- Know the rules: pickleball rules explained simply
- Be in the right spot: get to the kitchen line together and move as a pair
- Keep it simple: consistent, low shots beat risky big ones
- Learn from mistakes: everyone makes them. Pick one to work on each session
Quick answers
What is the most common pickleball mistake?
Kitchen faults (volleying while in the non-volley zone) and poor doubles positioning are among the most common, along with going for winners too early.
Is it a fault to step into the kitchen?
No. It's only a fault if you volley while in the kitchen or touching its line, including if your momentum carries you in after a volley.
How do I stop mishitting in pickleball?
Get into ready position early, split step as your opponent hits, and meet the ball out in front of your body with a compact swing.
Next up: 7 tips to improve your game fast and how to dink.
