These 5 Pickleball Beginner's Mistakes Are Ruining Your Game 

As pickleball has become more popular YT has been inundated with "experts" trying to make their mark . I'm an intermediate player trying to get better and am embarrassed to admit to how many hours I've spent watching how- to videos 🙂. I stumbled on your channel and it stands head and shoulders above the noisy fray. No click bait or tiresome catch phrases anywhere......instead succinct real world tips presented in a very relatable fashion. I'm sure you are as nice a guy as you present yourself. So glad I found your channel and wish you great luck. I'm subscribed and can't wait to see your future content. Can't thank you enough

After watching this video and the 7 Shots video a couple times, I went out to play, and I played much better. No exaggeration. My partner and I won all the games. I remembered to serve and stay, kept the paddle ready, held the kitchen, and made my serves count. I am not a new player, I have been playing for about a year. The other team, that we play with weekly, commented on my improvement and said that of all the players they know they think I have improved the most. Your videos are really helping me!

Good stuff... and so true. I was telling someone the other day who was fairly new to the game that one of the hardest things to train yourself to do in pickleball, is to NOT hit balls that are going out. Training yourself to lay off the higher hard ones and let it sail long, is a GREAT skill to master.

I like the humor in this tutorial. Also the fact that you don't have a ton of extra talking, you just get to the point. I played for the first time yesterday and was horrible... so hopefully these will help!

I am a very fit female living in a 55 plus community that has a HUGE Pickleball interest.Teams and competitions!Your channel is EXACTLY what I need to get some skills going to start playing myself.Time to get outta my comfort zone and try something new!👏🏻🙏🏻😎

Love this video! Recently starting playing pickleball (have a tennis background) so I can relate to the mistakes you mentioned here. I want to add my personal opinion related to Mistake 5, being close minded and accept feedback. Instead of asking random people who can be better than you, take a few lessons with a pickle ball coach, is a better approach to identify your weaknesses and you will be practicing with the instructor to get better there. This approach requires an investment of course but asking people all the time will give you too many feedback, is like watching too many youtube videos about pickle ball, suddenly you don't know where to start. For example, I was making mistake number 1, serving and stepping in, an instructor told me about it and then I work on serving and staying behind, I practice this drill without the ball before a game (and a few other drills with the paddle) just to get in the habit and let the muscle memory kick in. One more thing I would like to add on is that just playing hours and hours of pickle ball won't help much to overcome weaknesses of some of these mistakes, you need to spend time with drills before or after a game (it doesnt have to be hours, I take 10 mins before a game to remind myself of some drills) usually when you play is for fun in the beginning building bad habits that are difficult to change in a year. When you play tennis, you need lessons to get better but I think that with pickle ball since is easier to progress, we tend to avoid deliberate practice. I would love to see more videos on "Drills to improve [X] by yourself" Thank you again for this video.

This video is AWESOME!!! I watched it last night and then played doubles this morning. I have only played regularly for the last month. Prior to that, I had played about 5 times in the past 2 years. I pick up sports quickly, but I also pick up bad habits when I teach myself. I played so much better using your tips. I really wanted to play well because I played at a client's house. She has her own court. I really would like to be asked back to play because her friends are all good pickleball players and a lot of fun. You helped me secure a future spot on her court because they were really happy with my skill level. I definitely kept up with them. Your tip about keeping the paddle up where the top is approximately at shoulder instead of down by my hips was SO HELPFUL. It totally changed my game. That tip and holding strong at the Kitchen made all the difference in the world. I scored so many points at the Kitchen because of your tips!

So glad I found you! Me & hubby are brand new & you are going to be our online coach! You give easy, clear, target advice. You give true, beginner level advice, as well as advanced teaching, that goes directly to actual mistakes all beginners make, and that is where you start your training, and save the more advanced tips for later-I appreciate that. The basics. I can learn the scoring, switching server sides, ect, later. I need to understand what my purpose on the court is( meaning what is pickle ball?), and how I should hit the ball when, and to what purpose. I need pickle ball for dummies version, to start-lol! I look forward to learning a solid foundation and then moving up in knowledge. Thank you!

Excellent teacher, gets straight into subject without superfluous conversations to audience. Lots of concise information and instruction. Subscribed!

Just played for the very first time yesterday, at a beginner clinic! This video is so great, just like so many commenters have said. I can’t wait to watch more of them and learn this cool game little by little!! Thank you!!

Love love your videos Kyle! Would you be able to do a video on mastering the 3rd shot drop? 😊 excited to try all your tips!

A video on team coordination, communication, and positional strategy. Would be much appreciated.

Great video. Been playing about 3 months and watched quite a few channels and appreciate how organized and to the point your presentation is. Picked up at least two mistakes i make eg not standing firm. Thank you!!

I have been playing for 5 years, these tips you provided are great reminders. As often happens people tend to forget the little things and lose points. You videos are well presented with tips, humor and recommendations for improvement. I wish you well on achieving your goals.

Love this video! Fun to watch and good tips for beginners and players like me who have been playing for a while but still makes beginners mistakes!

Your “beginner” was terrific!

Great tips! I'd like to see some tips and thoughts on different paddle grip positions. Been struggling with it, but recently adopted a pretty unconventional grip for playing at the line that seems to work well for me, holding paddle backhanded with thumb on the back of the handle tilted 90 degrees. I can quickly switch back to my forehand grip, so it's the best compromise Ive been able to come up with.

I watch a lot of pickleball videos...yours is one of the clearest, instructional videos I've seen...good on ya!

Wonderful presentation with a context for each point that is so easy to understand. But most of all you offer tips to get feedback on one's own play by having a curious & open mind.

Wonderful tips for all levels of play. I especially found tip # 4 helpful for myself. Tip #5 is so true. If you want to see someone stuck in the 3.5 level, it's often because they are closed minded. Finally, you and your partner are very funny. I appreciate that in a video. 🤣

Loved all 6 tips on typical beginner mistakes. Can you elaborate on playing with max spin, and/or best way to counter your opponents crazy spin

Thank you, short and to the point. I need your help with serving...Im so sporadic. Will look to see if you have a serving video.

Awesome instructor -gives great advice and explanations!

Poor Danny… he thought he volunteered to assist with a pickleball lesson, but he unwittingly came to his own roast.

Hey Kyle, good stuff consistently… I enjoy your witty, focused approach. I’m in my second season of pickleball in Florida. I play 4-5 days a week. Lessons have helped improve my lateral movement and reduce tension in my grip. Currently rated 3.75 and want to climb the ladder to 4.00. I’m playing tomorrow morning and Saturday. I will work on controlling movement at the NVL and serving and waiting for the return… thanks! Len in Naples

awesome video, can't wait to go apply on court... thank you! better than all the rest I've watched.

This was so helpful! I have had many lessons but your instruction somehow felt easier to absorb in my brain. Will keep watching and learning! Thank you!

Hearing so much now about pickle ball and found out my boss and fiancé play. Have really wanted to learn, so she is showing me Friday. Your video was SO helpful. Thank you. You probably have a video on beginner to moderate level paddle and best shoes to wear. Need to know.😊

Hi Kyle, thank you for addressing these. So many pros are just giving tips that only high level players should use and those skills can be bad advice for lower level players 4.5 and below. I'm a PB coach and deal with these problems daily. James

Great Pickleball tips! Thx for sharing!

Loved this! Thx! Will try a couple of these tips tomorrow with my fellow beginners (3 months playing)

Kyle, I've been playing a while, but when I started I really struggled with stepping on the court with my serve. After playing volleyball and tennis for so long, my brain was wired for stepping in. What I did... started my serve two steps back. Made my life 98.2% better, well Pickleball life, and rarely will I have someone pressure my feet.. it does happen, but rarely, that's the 1.8%. Excellent video Coach.

I echo the sentiment of the person below me here awesome instruction I've been playing for about 8 weeks but have a tennis ping pong baseball background and your instruction is really good especially the example of the guy who missed All the drives and then made the vast majority of his drops keep up the good work thank you and your enthusiasm is really good

Love your videos, you make it look so simple & effortless.

This is great!! Thank you, easy to watch and I love the humour!

Would like to see a video on serving mechanics, tips and variations. Coming from racquetball, I struggle with the serve not being as much of a true offensive weapon.

I’m an intermediate player, but I often watch videos on the fundamentals. Great tips! Except for one, IMHO - the one about seeking feedback. In my first year of play, I sought lots of opinions from other players who I thought were better, but frequently I got bad advice, I would later learn. And sometimes that caused me to have to unlearn bad habits and it slowed my progress. So my advice is to be open minded, for sure, but be judicious about who you ask (or what unsolicited advice you implement). I like your light-hearted and humorous approach. I have subscribed and am looking forward to seeing more informative videos :)

Great information. Thank you.

These are the best Pickleball videos out there! I appreciate that the info is succinct, concise, and so on point. Subscribed! Thanks Kyle!

It's interesting to see how the game is evolving with the 3rd shot drive becoming more popular. The recent gold medal match between Johns/Johns vs Newman/Wright saw the latter drive on close to 70% of 3rd shots. I wonder if this trend will continue going forward as the game continues to speed up.

Great tips. This is awesome! I love pickleball and can’t wait to get better at it. I know that I need to get back in the ready position, but in a rally, I can’t seem to remember to get back to the ready position. 🤷‍♀️

Thanks. Great message.

Learning so much. Ty

Hi Kyle! I’m a beginner and I’m 72. I love the game - it’s just pure fun. I can sometimes be fabulous 😜 on the pickelball court. LOL Many times I do dumb things and lose the point and/or give opponents the point. This video pointed out to me the things I’m doing wrong like hitting down into the net. Thank you!! My problem is (and this is embarrassing) is an easy shot comes toward me, I’ll swing and I MISS IT entirely!! Only by 3-4inches. So discouraging! I try to watch the ball go into the racket. This happens much of the time on my backhand. Do you have any advice for me? My vision is okay but could it have to do with depth perception? Thanks for any advice. Sincerely, - Embarrassed in Arizona

Video on How to hit a return serve when it comes at you fast and low. For instance when as a beginner I play against someone with more expiernce & a stronger serve than used to or can do myself.

Great tips!! Love your instruction. Has totally helped my game. Keep it up!!👍🏼 😃

Spot on! Looking forward to more videos!

Often the third shot drop is called the hardest shot in pickleball. Having a player who plays soft better than hitting the ball hard may be an outlier.

That is awesome Kyle, Thank You

Love your style of teaching! Thanks!

i absolutely love this - thanks so much for making it!

Great instructor ! Looking forward to more tips!

Always great fun watching your tips. Uplifting. Thank you so much.

Great great tips!!!! You’re an excellent teacher👍

New subscribers here from Minnesota. I love your clear instructions, video graphics and adding a sense of humor and poking fun at yourself in the process. You tell me what I’m going to learn, I learn it by voice, visual effects, differing camera angles and then you recap what you’ve told us at the end. Spot in for teaching. I taught in the fire service for many years and your teaching style is fantastic and on point.

Love your channel so many great tips.

This is really cool and helpful for beginners!

Great tips 👍will watch this again👍👍👍

Simple and concise information for us beginners

Great content man, coming up!

Love your instructions, very useful, and you are a real pleasant person!!!

Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge about PB🎉🎉🎉

Appreciated your “challenge”!

Fantastic tips. I loved this video.

Awesome, thank you so much.

Great tips and advice!

Fun and insightful video!

Great pointers for beginners, as I am currently. Thank you

Love love your lessons!! Thank you!

Love this. Thank you.

Excellent Videos & Danny being a new player to pickleball is evidence of the value you possess as a teacher. You 2 make a great team!

Good concise and efficient advice!

great feedback for us beginners

Awesome video Kyle!! I can’t wait to go to the court tomorrow and start implementing these tips!

Great clear and precise instructions. Having my first beginner group class tomorrow and I have been enjoying your videos in preparing myself. I feel less intimidated and more confident as I go try out this awesome sport at age 62. You have inspired me and you will be my go to channel.

Thank you for these excellent tips and you're great way of explaining. I've recently started playing Pickleball and I know from exactly how you describe them that if I apply these tips, it will help improve my game. I can't wait to try them on the court.

This was super helpful. Thank you.

Enjoyed the video. Good tips. I'm a beginner and will be trying at least one or two of these tips next time. And as you said, slowly incorporate some of the other suggestions you have. Thanks!

Thanks for these tips! Going out this afternoon to play for the first time ever. I already feel better and more confident!

Great video. Not only good info but a really well produced video as well. I haven’t played my first game yet so this video may allow me to avoid building some bad habits. Thanks.

I really enjoyed watching this video. It only because learned new info but I really enjoyed his personality and sense of humor! Thank you. 💖

Thanks for the video.

Great tips thank you

Thanks really helpful 😊

Great info! Thank you!

Very helpful.

Great tips! Just leaving for the courts and will definitely work on these tips!

Great video, we will be trying out these 5 tip. Thx

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS VIDEO. ITS GOING TO HELP ME TREMENDOUSLY!!! THANK YOU

Fantastic tips! Will definitely try the 3 shot drop and after I serve stay back, then move up. You breaking down so easy to understand.

im about to play my first game today and this has been a great help!!! you seem very authentic and genuinely helpful

Good stuff I'll use these tips tomorrow

I want to learn so I will definitely stay tuned!!!❤

Excellent tips.

so helpful!

Thank you! Informative and just the right amount of entertainment. Good tips for sure!!

Very educational tip of my PB game I will practice with your lessons.

I just started playing last week, and all these tips are very helpful. Looking forward to working on implementing a few of these in my next game :)

Excellent Pickleball tips… worth repeating over and over 🤗

Thanks my friend ,as a new player I really appreciate the help 😅 Keep it up!