Top 9 Basic Pickleball STRATEGY Mistakes & How To Fix Them 

Great summary of mistakes -- I think I made them all in my first couple weeks, some I wasn't even aware of until I saw your video. Thanks for your suggestions! Also, I love the side-by-side good vs. bad comparison.

Pickleball strategy mistakes 1. Wandering into court after serving. A good return hot at your feet would be very tough for you to return back. Stay back behind the baseline after you serve. Easier to come in and hit their return. 2. Standing too close to the baseline to return the serve. Deep serve would be harder to return and would have your momentum going backwards instead of forward toward the net. Instead stay back behind the baseline to give yourself an easier return on a deep serve and can have your momentum moving forward toward the net and no volley zone. 3. Dead dinks. Dinks with no spin or no real angle that are easily returned for a more difficult shot for you or if popped up easily smashed back at you. 4. Being pushed back from the no volley zone. If you drift or get pushed back away from the no volley zone be sure to move back up for the next shot. Otherwise your opponent has more angles and an easier time to hit the balm at your feet. Also take deeper dinks and volley or dink volley them to hold your position. 5. Trying to win the point from the baseline rather than getting up to the net. Hard to win from the baseline against the opponent(s) at the net. Have more of a “get up to the net” mentality. 6. Rushing to the net without regard to the type of shot you’re coming in on. Some players just “drive and rush” up to the net. Might be coming in on a shot that your opponent can drive or dip back at your feet before you get set or in proper position up at the net fast enough. You want to assess what type of shot you’re opponent has as you “work” your way in towards the net. 7. Being a spectator on the court. Don’t just watch where your ball goes from your shot. Anticipate where your opponent might go with his next shot and get in position and be ready to be able to make a good return on his next shot. 8. Avoiding your backhand at ALL costs. Running around to hit your forehand all the time will get you out of position more often and make it tougher to recover in time. You’ll never develop confidence in your backhand if you never use it. Develop it. Use it. 9. Playing with too small of a margin in their game - aiming or targeting their shots too close to the lines. If you’re aiming for the lines you’re obviously going miss most of the time. Some of those misses will fall within the court and some will be outside the court. If you instead aim say two feet at least inside the line and then miss your target by two feet in either direction your shot still ends up in the court.

On that note, I think that teamwork is a key 4.0 skill. You could do a video on that! Some ideas: calling shots, calling outs, and giving way when you don't have a great shot and you know your partner is behind you and ready. Moving in together on service (with strategy explanation), calling switches (and when to do so), who takes what overheads and what does the other partner do. Haha, that's a lot!

I've been playing for a few months and this video answered a lot of questions I had about strategy. Super helpful and my game has already improved. I like the way you break it down.

Thanks for getting right to the point and not dragging out these tips. Points foe conciseness!

Thank You

Thank you. I am new to pickleball and don't have a sense of the overarching strategy yet. This was very helpful for me to get a sense of what I should be focusing on.

Super. A must see.

Great vid. Yours are always very clear and simple...and helpful.

Very helpful !

I have been playing for 2 years and this Primetime video makes sense for some strong reminders.

Thank you very much.🙇‍♀️

Thanks for these great reminders.

This was enlightening for me. Though I only play for fun now, it's a great reminder that I can still sharpen up a bit. Big thanks.

Great video. Good to point out what Not To DO.

Soooo helpful. Thank you

Great video! I'm guilty of them all. "Too small a margin" is a big one - coming from other sports you feel like you can hit winners all the time but its not so easy in pickleball

Very well presented. The commentator did an excellent job of explaining the mistakes and solutions. I am a beginner and find this post valuable in seeing if I can develop into a competent player. Thanks for the professional video..

Excellent!!!

Great vid. Nice replays on the 9 subjects. I understood what you were talking about better with a slow-mo recap. Thank you.

Such fantastic teaching! The side-by-sides are incredibly helpful. Thank you!

Absolutly agree with your video. Thanks a lot.

Good video. You packed a lot into this one! As I have improved in my first year, I am struggling with #9. I will hit the line and get congratulated, but I know I got away with a mistake. It's so easy to hit winners with fairly safe shots in many situations.

Great tips, thx!

Excellent n helpful tips.

I am new to the game. This video was very well presented. I liked the split screen do/don’t visual.

Like theses New streghy to try at pickleball court on open court to practice more

Thanks Jordan & Nicole this was a well done videos. I like videos that address multiple fault comings. That way I can tell someone to watch this video, which will help them fix their court errors.

Excellent video!! Great reminders. My favorite Pickleball channel. Keep them coming.

Outstandingly well explained. Congrats!

Great information

Very awesome tutorial video!!! Thank you so much!!!🏓 😀👍

Good stuff. I shared it with a friend

Great tips!

Good points. Would like to have seen you discuss serving position. Too many people think it is necessary to stand as close to the line as possible when serving. But this isn't true. It's ok to stand a couple of feet behind the line to serve.

Well done!!

Thanks!

VERY helpful video!

Good one

Thank you!

Great video! Thanks!

Excellent video Nicole and Jordan. Can you please do a video on Mixed Doubles or Doubles Strategy with one instructor and 4 players. Something like plays you and your partner can implement. Thank you 🧑🏽‍🚒

Great video. You must have watched me play, because I do all 9 of the mistakes. Hopefully this video will help me cure some of my mistakes. Once again, all your videos are very helpful.

very good tips ..

Excellent video very helpful

Thank you so much, sir! My family just bought a membership to the new and only club around. I never knew what pickleball was 2 weeks ago. It's so much fun and I enjoyed every minute so far. The only thing I didn't understand, watching seasoned members next to us all over (20 courts in one giant building), was their reasoning/ability to stand at the kitchen for their returns, while I was playing tennis and running the baselines with strength, but easy to return to me. When I moved forward after observing, and also instructed my partner to do so, it seemed near impossible to return any balls coming at us.. I'm in need of help, so I'll have to post a video of my beginner movement and share with everyone.

Love the split screen with the side by side comparisons. It really shows the strong contrast between the Right way and the wrong way to hit. Right off the bat I noticed with the wandering server who ventured into the court ended up 2-3 feet behind the baseline after the 3rd shot vs the step back server who was able to move forward through the shot because he started from behind the baseline. Excellent teaching tool. Well planned, well executed and edited.

I like the color of that poach paddle Jordan. Thanks for the content guys - this quarantine life has a guy going through pickleball withdrawal.

Very helpful

Great video. What do you do about the player who loves to give the return of serve top spin so it falls short in my court? Not always easy to return that one well because you have to run to get it and often pop it up as a result. Thanks!

Can you define/list offensive shots vs defensive shots? I know defensive would be like, blocks, volleys, and overhead, and offensive would be drives, deep lob, and I am blanking on the other calls? Any other shots that would qualify? I'm a newer player and trying to keep it all in my head. TIA.

Best instruction and videos on RU-vid. Thank you - a newbie. Stuck at advanced beginner but I must be patient.

Great video

clear video and, of course, all the mistakes I make as a beginner but, no more, I hope

Hello, we are just starting Pickleball in Victoria Australia and your tips have been so helpful. Thank you.

Another great video! Thanks! My problem is that I don't keep my paddle up infront while blocking my opponent's fast balls by the kitchen line. I tend to swing on my forehand instead of blocking. Can this be fixed by hitting on the wall, and if so, for how long should I practice? Thank you

Excellent video on all the mistakes. One thing I do when I miss a shot. I self critique each time. Makes yourself aware of that mistake. Its a reminder to correct yourself and continue to be mindful of making your next shot an offensive one.

Split step at 12:00

Great video. The "dead dinks" are a big one for me. I have tried playing at the kitchen line as is recommended, but it just doesn't seem to work for me because my opponent can always hit aggressive shots back to me which I can't return. This shows me I need to adjust how I'm hitting my dink shots.

Great video.

I was making all these mistakes, thankyou for making such a great 👍 video to .I learned so much and correct my mistakes.

Good video

First...excellent content and real examples ...I have a question about your Poach paddle too...what is the overgrip you are using and what is the yellow on the side? The paddle looks quite thick.. is that just from the side material or is it custom to your specs? Please tell Nicole that she did a great job at the Virtual Pickleball summit last Monday!

Great information, thanks!

How does one compensate for a lesser player in a round Robin or when assigned in rec play? When they make unforced errors that put you in a defensive position, do you recommend being more assertive and taking over. Or, just let them play poorly and encourage them for improvement?

I've got another to add. Not knowing who is covering the middle and how much of it is considered the middle. Like, at what point is it far enough past the middle that I take the backhand rather than have my partner get the forehand.

Always good to review. Thanks

Great tips,especially because these mistakes are easily fixed.

Retrospectively some of these errors have creeped back into my game. I will make it a point to revisit this video whenever my game gets sloppy or lazy, thank you.

Another good one, Jordan and team! Thanks. #3 struck me. EVERY dink must have a purpose.

One of the biggest strategy mistakes I see is when Partner B already starts running to the kitchen before or at the same time that Partner A is starting to hit the 3rd shot. I call this running in to the line of fire. As much faith and trust as they may have in Partner A's ability to hit a great 3rd shot, Partner B doesn't yet know if A is hitting a drop, a drive, or a lob AND, more importantly, Partner B doesn't even know how successful Partner A's 3rd shot is going to turn out to be. If Partner B runs in before Partner A's 3rd shot is struck, s/he will invariably get surprised by what comes back and will more than likely be stuck out of position and wind up eating the ball, or even throwing off Partner A's stroke because they might be getting in the way of where Partner A wants to hit it. If nothing else, Partner B will become a distraction to Partner A. Please make a video on this one. It is needed throughout entry and intermediate-level Pickleball.

I have poor hand-eye coordination. What exercises would you recommend to improve my Pickleball skills?

I have watched numerous how to vids but this is the best I have come across. Nice job.

thanks for this video, very cool! It's a dream to have such beautiful places to play Pickleball in North of France! Maybe someday! ;) Michael

Very helpful. I’m a novice and these tips are so helpful to my goal to improve! I do not have a tennis background and I am coming up against bangers and slammers who want to make it more of a tennis game and it’s a bit discouraging.

So now it’s not got to the net. You said not to take third shot at the feet on the line. Just starting out. Learning

I enjoy watching your Dad wander around on the court when you are speaking. He is very funny

Thanks. I would like to develop my backhand , I always play forehand. Please some video on back hand.

do you have a weight tape on your paddle and can you tell us about that. Jordan is my favorite instructor on RU-vid, thanks

On the 3rd shot drive and assess why do you get yourself in the “ no mans land middle” where you are vulnerable for a difficult at your foot return. Why not stay back and then hit a 5th shot drop?

Hi! Thanks for your video, it is helping me a lot. I am a new player, but it seems like I play really well (I play tennis and padel advance level). I am looking for a paddle for me but I have no idea about pickleball paddles, could you tell me a few that may suit me? If possible cheap 😂 Thanks!

You're a smart cookie.

Very good tips! Just took a LevelUp Camp and realize that some of these were my problems.

Best Video you ever did in my eyes. Each mistake you discussed was short n too the point. K.I.S.S. Good editing also. Coach Andy G.😎 ps. Less paddle spinning when talking?. Its distracting to me n it makes you look nervous. Just a thought. All in 💘

When play singles do you utilize the whole court?

great summary, but i think the one that is hardest to see on this video is the difference between dead dinks and dinks with spin. please do a separate video showing the difference, with close up on the paddle, in slow motion, and in slow motion showing the path of the paddle. thanks.

Guilty! I'm pretty much just down to #9 now... So tempting to flirt with that line margin, to score... Just like aiming for those "barely" over the net dinks (could be #10)

I really like the content in these videos. However, I can't follow the ball as it crosses from dark background to light background.

Great video.....I think your opponent needs to get that knee on ice. :)

👍🏻👍🏻

Hello Primetime! I enjoy your videos and you guys make film day enjoyable but I need your help. I would say the weakest part of my game is my mentality. For example, my nerves get the best on me during tournaments and it results in a lot of games becoming more difficult than they should be or they are out right loses. Please help!

Excellent. if your backhand is weak get a drill partner and practice backhand returns./shots over and over. And from many different spots on the court.

If I go into the kitchen because the ball has bounced there do I have to then back up and go out of the kitchen once hitting the ball over the net.?

Also, avoiding backhand - recently my partner crossed the centerline to return a deep drive with forehand, pushing me back and exposing their half of the court! This would have been an easy backhand for me (I'm a lefty). So, two errors: not trusting your team mate, and exposing yourself to a return put-away. Aaargh!

I’m new to PB, I’ve played tennis a lot, I never see you hit the ball cross court to your opponent, is that not allowed in single play?

What paddle do you use?

excellent

Do all these tips apply to doubles, too?

Love the tips and your video. What paddle are you playing? It appears to have a longer than normal handle, true? Looking for a paddle with a longer handle to help with a two-handed backhand. Thanks.

thanks. when you talk about placing spin on dinks, how do you know when you're ready to do that? I feel like I can place forehands ok but backhands still sometimes come off the paddle a little too high. should I get better at hitting a flat backhand dink and then try to learn a backhand underslice dink? sometimes I watch really long cross court dink rallies. in those, how would you typically try to introduce variety?