Spend time around high level pickleball players and you will notice something interesting.
They are not frustrated by beginners missing shots. They expect that.
What catches their attention are the habits that quietly limit improvement. The patterns that feel harmless at first but become roadblocks later.
The good news is that most of these habits are easy to correct once you understand why they matter.
Here is what experienced players wish beginners would stop doing right away, and what to do instead.
Stop Camping at the Baseline
This is the most common mistake in early pickleball.
New players serve, return, and then stay glued to the back line. It feels safe. You have more time to react. The ball looks easier to handle.
But pickleball is not a baseline game. It is a kitchen line game.
Pros know that controlling the non volley zone gives you better angles, more offensive options, and greater pressure on your opponents. If you remain deep, you surrender that advantage immediately.
Instead, think in phases.
Serve or return
Let the ball bounce
Move forward with intention
The goal is to establish position at the kitchen line as soon as the rally allows it.
Stop Trying to Win Every Point With Power
Beginners often believe that hitting harder equals playing better.
In reality, power without control is one of the fastest ways to lose points in pickleball.
The ball is light. The court is compact. Aggressive drives that might work against inexperienced opponents become easy blocks for advanced players. Worse, hard swings increase unforced errors.
At the professional level, the majority of points are constructed patiently. Players move opponents out of position before accelerating the pace.
If you want to improve quickly, focus on consistency and placement. Keep the ball low. Aim for space, not lines.
Power has a place. It is just not the foundation of the game.
Stop Ignoring the Soft Game
Many beginners avoid dinking because it feels slow or boring.
Pros see it differently.
Dinking is the strategic heartbeat of pickleball. It forces precision. It creates openings. It tests patience.
Skipping the soft game delays your development. Without it, you never learn how to control tempo or manage tight net exchanges.
Start practicing controlled dinks with a clear objective. Keep the ball low over the net. Place it at your opponent’s feet or to their weaker side. Learn to reset hard shots into the kitchen instead of counterattacking every ball.
The soft game is not passive. It is calculated.
Stop Standing Straight Up at the Kitchen
Watch a professional at the kitchen line. Their knees are bent. Their paddle is up in front of their chest. Their weight is balanced.
Now watch a beginner.
They often stand upright, paddle low, reacting late to speed ups.
At higher levels, hand battles happen quickly. A low paddle position adds precious milliseconds to your reaction time.
Adopt a ready position early. Paddle up. Elbows relaxed. Eyes level with the top of the net.
It may feel unnatural at first. It will soon feel essential.
Stop Attacking From Bad Positions
Beginners often speed up the ball simply because it is there.
Pros attack selectively.
They look for balls that are high enough and close enough to strike downward or at a sharp angle. Attacking from below net height is risky. The ball usually pops up or flies long.
A useful guideline is simple.
If the ball is below net height, consider resetting or dinking.
If the ball is above net height and you are balanced, attack with purpose.
Smart aggression wins more points than constant aggression.
Stop Forgetting Your Partner Exists
Doubles pickleball is a team sport. Yet beginners frequently move independently.
They chase balls their partner could easily handle. They fail to slide laterally together. They leave gaps in the middle.
Professional doubles teams move as a unit. When one player shifts, the other mirrors. When one attacks, the other prepares to cover the counter.
Communication does not need to be complicated. Call out shots clearly. Decide who takes middle balls. Reset together after each rally.
A coordinated team beats two talented individuals almost every time.
Stop Blaming Equipment Too Quickly
It is tempting to believe a new paddle will solve performance issues.
While paddle technology does influence spin and control, most beginner struggles come from footwork, positioning, and decision making.
Pros experiment with gear, but they do not rely on it to compensate for fundamentals.
Before upgrading equipment, ask yourself:
Am I reaching the kitchen consistently
Am I keeping the ball low
Am I selecting smart shots
Master the basics first. Equipment can refine your game. It cannot replace sound technique.
Stop Playing Only at One Speed
Some beginners hit every ball hard. Others dink every ball without variation.
Advanced players change tempo deliberately.
They slow the rally to regain control. They accelerate when an opportunity appears. They mix pace to disrupt timing.
Learning to vary speed makes you unpredictable. It also prevents opponents from settling into comfortable rhythms.
Think of pickleball as a conversation. Not every sentence should be shouted. Not every sentence should be whispered.
What Pros Actually Want From Beginners
Here is the truth.
Experienced players are not looking for perfection from beginners. They appreciate effort, awareness, and willingness to learn.
They respect players who:
Move forward with intention
Value consistency over flash
Communicate clearly
Stay patient during longer rallies
Correcting these habits early shortens your learning curve dramatically.
Final Thoughts
Pickleball rewards smart adjustments more than raw athleticism.
If you stop camping at the baseline, abandon reckless power, embrace the soft game, maintain a ready position, and move in sync with your partner, you will immediately feel the difference.
The sport becomes less chaotic. Points feel more intentional. Confidence grows naturally.
Pros do not expect beginners to play like professionals.
They simply hope you build habits that allow you to become one someday.
