Basics of Pickleball: Smart Beginner Tips for Grip, Shots & Footwork

When I first picked up a pickleball paddle, I made the same mistake most players do, I thought power would win the game. What I’ve learned since (through dozens of tournaments, teaching clinics, and getting outplayed by 70-year-olds who never miss) is that this sport rewards control, patience, and smart fundamentals. So if you’re just starting out or trying to help someone else learn the game, this guide is for you. I’ll break down the basics of pickleball, grip, footwork, shots, and shot selection, into plain, simple advice that you can apply immediately. No fluff, no jargon, and no tennis snobbery. Just what works.

You’ll also find tips you won’t get from YouTube alone, including why pushing is often better than hitting and how angles can win rallies without swinging harder.

Table of Contents

• How to Hold a Pickleball Paddle
• Footwork Fundamentals
• Types of Pickleball Shots
• Your Swing Mechanics
• Smart Shot Selection
• The Value of Patience
• Pushing vs. Punching
• Using Angles to Win
• Beginner Tips Recap
• Beginner FAQ

How to Hold a Pickleball Paddle

Your grip sets the tone for your entire game. I recommend starting with the continental (or eastern) grip. It feels like a handshake with the paddle and works for both forehand and backhand shots. If you’re serious about perfecting your grip, check out our comprehensive Pickleball Paddle Grip Guide.

Place your palm on the paddle handle so that the “V” between your thumb and index finger lines up with the edge. If you hold it like you’re about to slice a loaf of bread, you’re on the right track.

Avoid the death grip. Hold the paddle firmly but gently, like you’re holding a bird, not a baseball bat.

Bonus tip: If your knuckles are white, you’re gripping too hard.

Footwork Fundamentals

You can’t win what you can’t reach. Most beginner mistakes start with bad footwork—standing flat-footed, reacting late, or lunging instead of sliding.

• Stay on the balls of your feet, not your heels.
• Use small, fast steps, not giant leaps, to reposition.
• Always recover to the middle after a wide shot.

“Good pickleball footwork feels like a constant, subtle dance with the court, if your feet are stuck, your game is too.”

Basics of Pickleball Pro Insight: When I coach beginners, I tell them to “dance with the court.” If your feet are stuck, your game is too. This small adjustment often leads to a breakthrough in court coverage.

Types of Pickleball Shots

To keep it simple, here are the five must-know shots for beginners:

1. Serve – Underhand, hit diagonally to the opponent’s box. No bounce needed.
2. Return – Let it bounce, then send it back deep.
3. Dink – Soft shot into the kitchen to slow down the point. It’s the chess move of pickleball.
4. Volley – Hit out of the air before it bounces (but not in the kitchen).
5. Lob – High shot to push your opponent back.

Most players overuse the drive (a powerful, flat shot meant to overwhelm opponents) and underuse the dink. Flip that script and you’ll win more games.

Your Swing Mechanics

Use your shoulder and forearm, not your full arm. Your elbow should stay relatively close to your body, and the motion should feel more like tossing a soft frisbee than swinging a golf club. The net can be your best friend or your worst enemy; often, a controlled, smooth swing is the key to befriending it.

Always follow through in the direction you want the ball to go. A lazy follow-through usually means a lazy shot.

Ready to refine your technique? Check out our detailed guide on how to hit a pickleball for drills and tips to improve your swing.

Smart Shot Selection

Every shot is a choice, not just a reaction. Don’t try to win every rally with a highlight reel swing. Instead, focus on tactical shot selection and strategic targets:

• Tactical Shot Selection:
  • Play to your opponent’s weaknesses (like a poor backhand).
  • Aim for open court space, not your opponent’s paddle.
  • Use height and softness to make them bend or reach.
• Strategic Targets:
  • The middle of the court between two opponents in doubles.
  • Deep corners to push opponents back.
  • The kitchen line to pull opponents forward.

Control beats chaos, always.

The Value of Patience

Pickleball isn’t a sprint. Some of the best points are won after 10 – 20 shots. Your goal is to stay consistent and force your opponent to make the mistake.

If you’re rushing, you’re losing. Reset. Breathe. Place, don’t pummel.

Pushing vs. Punching

Most beginners swing too hard and flatten the ball into the net. Instead, push through the ball with a relaxed wrist and an open paddle face. Think of it like gently guiding a friendly puppy over a fence, rather than swatting a fly.

Pushing gives you consistency. Punching gives your opponent the ball back faster, usually with interest.

PickleTip Pro Insight: I often see players try to smash every ball. It’s a natural urge! But my best advice is to practice “pushing” the ball. It’s about control and placement, not raw power. I’ve seen this one simple mindset shift turn losing games into winning streaks for my students.

Using Angles to Win

Once you develop touch, use cross-court dinks, sideline shots, and wide angles to pull your opponent out of position. Cross-court dinks are particularly effective because they leverage a higher net height at the sidelines, making them both safer and more difficult for your opponent to return effectively.

Angles don’t require speed, they require precision. And precision can be practiced.

PickleTip Pro Insight: When in doubt, dink crosscourt. It’s safer, smarter, and shifts the pressure onto your opponent, often creating an opening for your next shot. It’s a fundamental strategy you’ll use constantly.

For more detailed rules on court angles and boundaries, you can consult the official USA Pickleball rulebook.

Beginner Tips Recap

• Use a relaxed, continental grip.
• Stay light on your feet, small steps win games.
• Master soft shots before power shots.
• Push the ball instead of smacking it.
• Use angles and variety to keep opponents guessing.

And above all, have fun. This sport thrives on energy and community. Winning is great, but showing up and improving is better.

Basics of Pickleball FAQs: What New Pickleball Players Want to Know

Want more beginner guides? Check out our Third Shot Drop guide or explore our Pickleball Strategies Section for drills, mindset tips, and more ways to improve. The basics of pickleball is just the tip of the iceberg, broaden your tactics with pickleball tips for beginners.