Top 5 Beginner Pickleball Mistakes: Professional pickleball player Catherine Parenteau recently released a YouTube video pointing out the five biggest mistakes beginners make on the pickleball court. The video offers clear advice to help players improve their positioning, teamwork, and shot selection.
Catherine Parenteau explained these common habits and gave tips to avoid them. She said these mistakes hold players back and prevent them from improving. The video is aimed at beginners who want to raise their game and gain more control during matches.
Stepping Forward After Serving
According to Catherine Parenteau, the first major mistake is moving too far into the court after serving.
“They serve, and their momentum is leading them inside the court.”
She explained this causes players to be in a bad spot to return the next shot, often forcing them into a defensive position. With their weight back, their return shot becomes weak.
“What happens when you have your weight here? You’re most likely going to pop your third shot drop up or third shot drive in general.”
She recommends players judge the quality of their third shot before rushing forward. If the third shot is poor, it’s better to stay back and prepare for a better fifth shot.
Moving Forward Too Quickly
Many beginners are told to move forward after the third shot, but Catherine Parenteau cautioned against doing it too soon.
“They just move forward to the kitchen line because that’s what they’re being told.”
She explained that rushing forward reduces reaction time. Instead, she suggests staying back if needed to hit a better fifth shot drop or drive.
“You want to make sure you somewhat judge your third shot depending if it’s good. You want to move forward. If it’s bad, don’t be afraid to stay back.”
Hitting the Ball Too Hard
The fourth mistake she covered was hitting every shot with too much power, especially among players with a tennis background.
“They want to hit everything hard. And this one is more specifically for more tennis players or anybody that’s got a tennis or somewhat a racquet sport background.”
Catherine Parenteau said that while it may be tempting to smack the ball, pickleball requires a softer touch at times.
“You have to make sure you hit it a little bit softer so it gives you more time as a team to get up there to the kitchen line.”
Ignoring the Soft Game
The video also talked about the importance of the soft game. Pickleball is not just about power; players must also know when to slow down the ball.
“When you play pickleball, yes, there are times where you can be aggressive… but there are times where a lot of the time you have to be really more soft with your hands.”
She emphasized the need for balance—knowing when to hit hard and when to play it soft to control the pace.
Poor Team Communication
The final and most common mistake, according to Catherine Parenteau, is players focusing only on their half of the court during doubles.
“We worry so much about your half-court, right? If I play with a partner… a lot of people just, okay, this is my half court. That’s all I worry about.”
This mindset leaves the middle wide open, leading to confusion and missed shots.
“So what ends up happening, there’s a lot of hesitation in the middle. So nobody goes for the middle ball.”
She recommends better communication and shared responsibility to cover the court as a team.
Why These Mistakes Matter
These five mistakes can slow down a player’s progress. Learning how to fix them helps beginners stay in control, play smarter, and win more points. Catherine Parenteau’s advice helps players avoid common errors and become better partners on the court.
News in Brief: Top 5 Beginner Pickleball Mistakes
Professional pickleball player Catherine Parenteau shared five key beginner mistakes in a YouTube video. These include stepping forward too quickly, hitting the ball too hard, and poor team communication. Her advice helps players improve control, strategy, and teamwork for more success on the court.
ALSO READ: Bobbi Oshiro Breaks Down the Perfect Pickleball Slice Technique for Better Control