5 Bad Pickleball Habits That Are Costing You Points (And How to Fix Them)

Most recreational players have a handful of recurring bad habits that cost them the same points over and over again. Here are the five most common ones and what to actually do about them.

1. Poaching the Middle Without Communicating

Partnership communication in doubles is the most underrated skill in recreational pickleball. If you're deciding mid-rally to take the middle ball, your partner needs to know. 'Mine' or 'yours' called early enough to matter is the habit. Not calling and then colliding or both backing off is the habit you have now.

2. Volleying When You Should Be Dinking

The impulse to attack every ball above the net is understandable. It's also wrong until you're at a level where you can reliably put those balls away. If your volley attack gets reset by your opponent more than it wins the point, you're attacking too soon. Develop patience at the net and let the right ball come to you.

3. Retreating Off the Non-Volley Zone Too Early

When your partner is in trouble, the instinct is to back up. Usually a mistake. Staying at the NVZ and staying ready is almost always better than retreating. The team that stays forward wins more points. The team that backs up under pressure gives up the court position they worked to earn.

4. Not Following Your Third Shot In

A third shot drop that actually drops and stays low is designed to give you time to move toward the NVZ. Players who hit a good third and then stand at the baseline waste the entire value of the shot. Hit the third, read the response, and move in. Every time.

5. Grip Too Tight Under Pressure

Grip tension creeps up when the game gets tight. Tight grip reduces touch, kills dink feel, and telegraphs your mechanics. Check your grip pressure at regular intervals during a match. It should be firm enough to control the paddle and soft enough that your forearm muscles aren't engaged hard. Most players are at 8 out of 10 grip tension when 5 is optimal.