Pickleball: What Should You Learn as a First Step as a Beginner?

Starting out in pickleball can feel overwhelming, but focusing on the right fundamentals will set you on the right path. As a beginner, the first thing you should learn is control and placement.

Why Focus on Control First?

• Power isn’t everything (we’ll dive deeper into this later). Precision shots can often outplay raw strength.
• Getting comfortable with your paddle helps you aim better, especially when returning serves or keeping the ball low over the net.

Basic Skills to Develop:

• The Dink Shot: A soft, controlled shot that lands in the opponent’s kitchen, forcing them into a defensive position.
• Serve Consistency: Start slow. Perfecting a legal, reliable serve is more important than fancy shots early on.
• Footwork and Positioning: Stay balanced and always return to the ready position after every shot.

Learning these essentials will make your future games more enjoyable, while also preparing you to advance your skills quickly.