Fix These 5 Errors in Your Pickleball Strategy

These five errors are completely coachable. You don't need a complete overhaul of your game; you need to focus on fixing one mistake at a time.

Your pickleball game might be closer to a breakthrough than you think. The difference between winning and losing often comes down to five specific errors that show up at every skill level, from recreational players just learning the game to competitive athletes grinding on the pro circuit.

Tony Roig, head coach at Better Pickleball, breaks down these costly mistakes and shows you exactly how to fix them so you can start winning more matches.

Love pickleball? Then you'll love our free newsletter. We send the latest news, tips, and highlights for free each week.

Error No. 1: Not Respecting the Net

Here's the foundation of solid pickleball: the net is your best friend, not your enemy.

Too many players hit the ball too high over the net, which immediately gives their opponents easier balls to attack. When you're not respecting the net, you're handing your opponents scoring opportunities on a silver platter.

The fix is simple but requires discipline. Keep your shots low, just barely clearing the net. This applies especially to your third shot drop and your dinking game. When you respect the net, you control the point and keep your opponents on their heels instead of letting them take the offensive.

Error No. 2: Aiming Putaways at the Sidelines

When you finally get that high ball and have a chance to put it away, where are you hitting it?

If you're aiming for the sidelines, you're making a low-percentage play. The sidelines are the longest part of the court, which means you're just adding unnecessary margin for error.

Instead, hit your putaway shots down the middle or directly at your opponent's feet. These are high-percentage targets that give you the best chance to finish the point. Take the smart shot every single time, and your win rate will climb.

Error No. 3: Overcooking Your Shots

Overcooking happens when you add too much pace, too much spin, or too much aggression to shots that don't need it. This mistake shows up constantly on third shot drops and transition shots. Players think they need to hit the ball hard to be effective, but that's backwards.

Control beats power in pickleball. The softer, more controlled shots are often the ones that win points. You don't need to swing hard to be dangerous; you need to be precise and intentional with your shot selection.

Error No. 4: Putting Too Much on Your Third Shot Drop

The third shot drop is one of the most important shots in pickleball, yet players constantly overload it. They hit it too hard, add too much spin, or try to place it too precisely. This creates mistakes and gives your opponents better opportunities to attack.

Keep your third shot drop simple and soft. The goal is to land it in the kitchen and give yourself time to get to the net. That's it. A soft, controlled drop that accomplishes those two things is a successful shot, even if it's not flashy.

Error No. 5: Unclear Shot Selection

Many players don't think about what shot to hit before they actually hit it. They're reacting instead of strategizing. Clear shot selection is the difference between scattered play and purposeful tennis.

Before each shot, know your target. Know what you're trying to accomplish. Are you moving your opponent side to side? Are you setting up a putaway? Are you neutralizing the point? When you have a clear strategy for every shot, your execution improves dramatically, and so do your results.

Heads up: hundreds of thousands of pickleballers read our free newsletter. Subscribe here for cutting edge strategy, insider news, pro analysis, the latest product innovations and more.

The Path Forward

These five errors are completely coachable. You don't need a complete overhaul of your game; you need to focus on fixing one mistake at a time.

Start with whichever error resonates most with your current play, work on it for a week or two, then move to the next one. By the time you've addressed all five, you'll notice a significant improvement in your match results and your overall confidence on the court.