🎯 BEGINNER TIPS
5 MIN READ
5 MIN READ
5 Mistakes Every
Every new pickleball player in Phnom Penh makes these five mistakes. Every single one. The good news: they are identifiable in minutes and fixable in a single session once you know what to look for.
1
Staying at the Baseline After Serving
You serve and wait at the baseline. Your opponents are already at the kitchen line. You are permanently defensive and cannot win from there.
THE FIX
After serving, immediately transition toward the kitchen line. Steady movement — not a sprint. Get to mid-court by your third shot.
2
Using a Full Tennis Swing
A big backswing generates far more power than the small court needs. The result: ball goes long, or into the net with no control.
THE FIX
Elbow in. Small backswing. Controlled follow-through. Think “push” — not “hit.” Compact motion is almost always the right choice in pickleball.
3
Volleying from Inside the Kitchen Zone
You move to the net, the ball comes, you volley it — from inside the kitchen. Automatic fault. It often happens exactly when you think you are in a strong position.
THE FIX
Know the kitchen line position. Before every volley, check your feet. If you are unsure, let the ball bounce — always safer than the fault.
4
Smashing Every Ball at the Net
Hard smashes from the kitchen zone go long, or your opponent simply blocks them back for a winner. Pace does not win rallies at this level — placement does.
THE FIX
Learn to dink. A controlled, soft ball placed into your opponent’s kitchen zone is harder to handle than a smash. Patience beats pace at every beginner level.
5
Not Calling the Score Before Serving
By rule, the server must call the score before every serve. Skipping this creates disputes and disrupts flow — avoidable friction every time it happens.
THE FIX
Make it a habit from day one. Every serve — say the three-number score out loud before you swing. “4 – 2 – 1.” Then serve. One second, zero disputes.
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Mistake
The Fix
1
Staying at the baseline after serving
Move toward kitchen line immediately
2
Using a full tennis swing
Compact stroke — elbow in, small backswing
3
Volleying from the kitchen zone
Check feet before every volley attempt
4
Smashing every ball at the net
Learn to dink — patience beats pace
5
Not calling the score before serving
Call three numbers every single serve
PUT IT INTO PRACTICE
Find a court and fix these this week
