5 Pickleball Tips to Take Your Game to the Next Level

Move over tennis and ping-pong, there's a new favorite racket sport in town. Pickleball has risen in popularity to become a household name and a beloved sport for many Americans. There are pickleball tournaments, leagues, and even professional pickleball players.

Pickleball is a fun and social activity that was invented in the 1960s. But that doesn't mean it can't be competitive. You can take your game to the next level with expert-approved pickleball tips. 

How do you get started with pickleball? 

Though it combines aspects of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, pickleball is a unique sport. Many people find that its simple rules make it more approachable and easier to learn. Here are some of the basics to help you get started with pickleball: 

• You can play pickleball as singles or doubles. But doubles –– with two people on each team –– is more common. 

• The first serve and return must hit the ground once on the opponent's side of the net (two-bounce rule). 

• After the first two serves, players can hit the ball in the air (volley) or after it bounces (ground stroke). 

• Players rally the ball back and forth until someone commits a fault, like hitting the ball into the net or stepping into the non-volley zone. The non-volley zone, or “kitchen,” is a designated area within seven feet on each side of the net. 

• Only the server or serving team can score. Most pickleball games are played to 11 points, and you have to win by 2 points. 

"It's one of the few activities where children can play on the same court as adults of any age, and everyone has a great time," senior pro pickleball player and certified teaching professional Tony Roig told GoodRx Health. "There are many pickleball players in their 60s who had never played a sport before," said Roig. 

Don't feel pressure to memorize every rule before your first game – the goal is to get out there and play. Roig says there are plenty of places to join "open rec" games suitable for players of every level. It's a great way to meet new people and get some exercise while learning the basics of the game. 

What are the best pickleball tips for beginners? 

After you've played a few times and gotten the hang of the basics, you'll be ready to learn strategies to sharpen your skills. Here are five beginner-friendly pickleball tips straight from the pros. 

1. Forget about power 

"I have three things that I focus on called the kingdom principles: patience, consistency, and placement," pro pickleball player David Haynie told GoodRx Health. "If you notice, not one of those three is power." Haynie, who has been playing pickleball for decades and has ranked as high as 11th globally, says most beginners already have enough power when they hit the ball. 

Learning to control that power is more important, so you know when to use it and when to scale it back. For example, you might use more power to hit an underhand, cross-court serve. This can make it harder for your opponent to return the serve. But you might not need as much force while volleying from the middle of the court. 

2. Practice your stance and position

Haynie advises new pickleball players to focus on their stance, body position, and how they hold the paddle. 

Pickleballs are made from plastic with several holes throughout, so they don't bounce as high as tennis or ping-pong balls. As a result, you have to stay in an athletic stance, ready to move in any direction on short notice. Try to keep your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, with your weight on the balls of your feet. Bend your knees and lean forward a bit. "We have all experienced the ball that clips the top of the net and falls short," said Haynie. "You'd better be ready to lunge forward in order to become a better player."

Make sure you're positioned "square up or square to ball." That means you –– and your paddle –– are squarely facing the ball. "Pickleball is played in front of you," Haynie said. "Keep your paddle in view and reach out to make contact with the ball." This will help you make more accurate and consistent shots with better placement. Plus, you'll be tracking the ball instead of chasing it.

Lastly, try to stay relaxed while you hold the paddle up. The tip of the paddle should be somewhere between your sternum and your navel. Keeping the paddle in this position will ensure that you connect with the ball. "Too many players let their paddle float, and then before you know it, it's at your knees," said Haynie.

3. Avoid hitting the net

This might seem obvious, but you see pickleball players hit the net again and again. The trick to avoiding this fault is to stay aware. "Pay attention when you [hit] the net, and adjust your shots accordingly," Roig said. 

Try adjusting your position or the angle of your paddle. You can also have a fellow player or coach observe your game so you can correct your technique. Roig noted there's no reason to hit the ball so low that you hit the net. "The two-bounce rule means that you can hit these shots as high as you choose, while your opponent still has to let the ball bounce. Use your knowledge of this rule to your advantage."

4. Take your time

Both pros say rushing is a common mistake that pickleball newbies make. "Too many players come into this game feeling they can rush every shot and drive the ball through or past their opponent," said Hainey. This may work to a point. But as you play at higher levels, it won't be as helpful. 

"Rushing in and out of shots results in a hurried mind as well as an increase in mistakes," explained Roig. Players have more time than they think during a pickleball game. To fix this, listen to your shots. "You are listening for a nice metronome rhythm: bounce-hit, bounce-hit," Roig said.

5. Use the non-volley zone to your advantage

As you prepare for the intermediate level, consider using the non-volley zone as part of your strategy. The non-volley zone, or “kitchen,” is the part of the court that players are most hesitant about. You can hit the ball into your opponent's non-volley zone. But you can't step into your non-volley zone while hitting. 

"It is true that the non-volley zone limits you…on your side," Hainey explained. You can't step into that seven-foot area beyond the net while volleying. "But the non-volley zone on the [opponent's] side of the net is designed for you," he continued. "It is a part of the court that you can use to craft your game."

Winning at pickleball means using the non-volley zone to your advantage. "The defining shot in pickleball — the third shot drop — is only possible because it takes advantage of the non-volley zone," Hainey said. "Expanding your use of this part of the court will elevate your game to a new dimension." 

For example, you can volley or hit groundstrokes down the middle of the court, landing just beyond your opponent's kitchen. This technique can make it difficult for them to return the shot, earning you a point. 

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Written by:

Jody Braverman, CPT, RYT

Jody Braverman has worked in the health and fitness industry –– as a trainer, yoga teacher, nutrition and lifestyle coach, writer, and editor –– for more than two decades. She graduated with a B.A. from the University of Maryland and maintains several accredited certifications.

Edited by:

Lauren Savage, MA

Lauren Savage, MA, is a health editor at GoodRx, where she focuses on movement, exercise, and healthy aging. She aims to provide readers with the information they need to live healthier, more active lifestyles.

Reviewed by:

Sanjai Sinha, MD

Sanjai Sinha, MD, is a board-certified physician with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in internal medicine.

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