Here is a complete guide on the common mistakes made by recreational players and how to fix them through practice.
Mistakes Made By Recreational Pickleball Players And How To Fix Them
Pickleball is a great time pass for recreational players who enjoy leisure while being productive. However, for anyone not taking it seriously, it is important to note that the game is not the same for recreational and professional players.
Not many people understand this entirely and try to do professional pickleball tricks with their limited skill set. This ruins their entire experience, and they commonly get fed up with it. This is also why they make the biggest pickleball mistakes.
If you are in a similar situation and want to know the common mistakes recreational players make, here is a complete guide. It also tells you how to fix them. So, dive right in for more.
1. Hitting Off A Fancy Spin
The biggest pickleball mistake most recreational players tend to make is playing their spins fancy. Although it sounds great and works incredibly well for professionals, it is not the best for beginners.
If you are new to the game, they can work once in a blue moon. However, attempting them repeatedly can lead to irreversible mistakes in pickleball. Also, if the person on the other side of the pickle net is better than you, forget about winning the battle.
Before you even plan to play fancy spins, consider that they demand a lot of skill and accuracy. This sounds a bit difficult for recreational players. Hence, it is always wise to avoid them at all costs. I am not saying you should never hit a spin but always approach it intelligently.
2. Improper Serving Technique
Another common mistake in pickleball that can break your game is not having the right serving technique. This pickleball serving mistake is primarily because most recreational players try to be all fancy, making them not prioritize the serving technique.
You first need to identify a comfortable technique to eliminate this habit. Once it is done, practice it repeatedly to improve the flip. To master any serving technique, keep your back straight and pickleball paddle perpendicular to the ground. This will help you in balancing each shot, including the serves.
3. Hitting The Ball Too Hard
Smashing the pickleball ball as hard as you can is tempting. But, the issue is that it can land you in a difficult situation. These shots are generally known as power shots and drive shots. These pickleball trick shots are for advanced players, partly because of their unruly and unpredictable nature.
But don’t worry, as I am here with a simple trick to resist the urge to hit the ball too hard. Instead of playing a power hit, you should focus on returning the ball to the opponent’s side. This will divert your attention from using all your force to enjoy the sudden moment.
4. Standing In A No-Man Land
Another beginner pickleball mistake is staying in the no man’s land. Generally, you have two places to stand in the field: the baseline or the pickleball kitchen area. Suppose you are not standing on any of these sides; it is considered a no-man land, and doing so will ruin your game.
This is the most consistent fault most recreational players tend to make. So, you will have to put in extra effort to avoid this. All you need to do is make sure you don’t give the opponent a chance to hit the shot in the direction of your feet. This is because handling such shots is impossible for newbies.
5. Poaching Unnecessarily
Another biggest mistake pickleball players make is poaching at times when it is not required. In simple terms, poaching means stealing a shot from your partner. Most recreational players like to do it, but they forget that scooting to their side can be annoying for the other person playing from your side.
Poaching is generally best for professional players accustomed to playing pickleball doubles. Part of the reason is that they know when and how to attempt this strategy.
The right way of doing it is having the male member on the left side who is responsible for scooting over to the woman’s side and hitting the shot. Even if you are attempting it, note that it is risky as you leave the left side unattended for a long time. Hence, the opposite side can easily take advantage of it.
6. Having Asymmetric Dinking Battles
Although cross-court dinking matches can be a thrilling experience, they are not always ideal for recreational players. They are seriously risky if you are a beginner and learning the basics. Also, playing them against someone better than you on the field is a recipe for disaster.
Firstly, an intelligent player wouldn’t get into such a situation. But, if, for some reason, you are caught up by a better opponent, try counting his/ her dinks. Once you have counted up to three dinks, hit back a bailout dink. This will give you an edge. This strategy also helps newbies gain momentum.
7. Playing Low Smashes
Last but not least, another reason you are not getting better at defending your stance is playing too low smashes. Most beginner players tend to hit back the shots while in the kitchen area.
This happens when a player on the other side of the net hits the shot with the third drop at an awkward height. In this scenario, most recreational players think they can volley the ball or play the smash. But it is really difficult to hit back with such smashes.
To avoid pickleball beginner mistakes, you must resist jumping into the kitchen area. Instead, push yours to a distance where it is comfortable to hit the ball in the direction you want to play the shot. Or, if you are not confident, don’t attempt it.
People Also Ask
What Is The Ten-Second Rule In Pickleball?
Well, it is the simplest rule, yet most beginners forget it. According to this rule, the server has only ten seconds to serve when the scores have already been called. If he/ she crosses this limit, it is a fault, and the server loses the points. This rule exists in the game, as it keeps the game simple and moving for the entire time.
What Are Some Common Mistakes Recreational Pickleball Players Make?
There are multiple mistakes recreational players make during pickleball matches. This includes not having the right paddle, improper posture, hitting the ball too hard, and copying fancy spins inspired by professionals. Similarly, they like to play unnecessary spins and poach.
Why Do Recreational Players Often Hit The Ball Too Hard?
Most recreational players enjoy playing multiple games like tennis, racquetball, and pickleball. Because they always play tennis and racquetball, hitting the ball hard is considered the best strategy. This is quite the opposite in pickleball. This is why players take more time to learn this skill.
How Can Players Improve Their Ability To Watch The Ball?
The only way to improve your ability to watch the ball is through practice. For this, while playing warm-up matches, always keep your eyes on the ball from when it leaves your side to when it is on your opponent’s side. Make sure to pick up things like tracking the ball’s movement and how the ball behaves with different techniques.
Why Is Footwork Important For Pickleball Games?
Footwork is significant when it comes to pickleball games. This is because having the right posture can keep your body relaxed and firm. So, it is easy to move quickly and keep your movements in control. This is especially important if you are fond of doubles, as you will always be on your toes while communicating with your partner. And the only trick to making it better is repeated practice.
How Can Pickleball Players Improve Their Communication With Their Partners?
Hand signals and cues can allow players to communicate better on the pickleball field, especially while playing the doubles. For this, you can even make hand signals that are explicit to you and your partner. For instance, you can signal who will hit the ball or who will poach from which direction, and so on.
How To Get Better At Pickleball?
To improve at pickleball, you must know all the rules, strategies, and tricks that pro players use. First, learn all pickleball rules, including kitchen, scoring, serves, and dinking. After that, practice the pickleball game by performing drills. To get an edge, keep your opponent back and learn different pickleball shots, including dink, Erne, and chop.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are a recreational player, my advice is to keep things simple and not try to do fancy stuff just because it looks cool on the field. The biggest pickleball mistake most beginners make is to try to copy professionals, which is why they usually get fed up with the entire game.
Finally, I hope this guide has been helpful for you in figuring out what you have been doing wrong all this time and how to fix it.
Other Related Posts:
- Pickleball Dinking Mistakes
- Top Pickleball Shoes
- Official Pickleball Rules
- Difference Between Pickleball And Paddle Tennis
- Best Pickleball Bags
I, Jeena Noven, am a renowned pickleball expert and author with over 10 years of experience playing and coaching the sport. My passion and extensive knowledge of pickleball has made me a leading authority in the game, particularly in the field of footwear. I have written countless articles for https://pickleballcard.com/, a website dedicated to pickleball, sharing my insights and expertise on the best shoes for the sport. Through personal testing and reviewing countless different brands and styles, I have developed a deep understanding of the technical aspects of shoe design that make them suitable for the demands of pickleball. In my articles, I provide valuable information for both beginner and advanced players, covering everything from the basics of shoe fit and support, to advanced tips for maximizing performance on the court. As a dedicated pickleball player and expert in footwear, I am a valuable resource for players of all levels. My articles are not only informative but also engaging, making them a must-read for anyone looking to improve their pickleball game. I am constantly researching new products and trends in the industry and my readers can always count on me to provide the most up-to-date and accurate information on the best pickleball shoes available.
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