As the head coach and co-owner of the House of Pickleball in Leland, I've noticed something interesting. The pickleball players who improve the fastest aren't necessarily the strongest, quickest, or youngest. They're the players who understand a handful of simple principles and apply them every time they step onto the pickleball court.
I call these Mojo's 11.
Think of them as the ‘Ten Commandments for Beginners...plus one’. They're the lessons I wish every beginner knew on day one. If you embrace these ideas early, you'll improve faster, win more games, and become the kind of player everyone wants as a partner.
1. We Don't Play to Win. We Play to Make Our Opponent Lose.
Most points aren't won with spectacular winners—they're lost through unforced errors. Your job is to make one more quality shot than your opponent.
Lesson: When you realize that simply keeping the ball in play, and low, wins more games than trying to hit winners, your pickleball journey truly begins.
2. Never Get in the Way of Your Opponent Failing.
When your opponent starts to drive the ball hard when you're at the kitchen, resist the urge to engage. Realize that if you do nothing the ball will more than likely go out.
Lesson: Don't hit their out balls.
3. In Is Better Than Out.
You can't win a point with a ball that lands out of bounds. Until your consistency improves, give yourself plenty of margin for error and aim toward the middle of the court.
Lesson: The safest shot is often the smartest shot.
4. Deep Is Better Than Short.
On the serve and the return, your primary objective is depth. A deep serve and deep return push your opponents back, making it harder for them to attack and easier for you to control the rally.
Lesson: Forget power and spin. Master depth first.
5. Use Drops and Resets to Control the Game.
The players who control the pace usually control the point. Learning when and how to soften the ball with drops and resets allows you to neutralize your opponents' attacks and work your way back into rallies.
Lesson: If you can slow the game down whenever you choose, you're making real progress.
6. The Lob Is Both an Offensive and Defensive Shot.
Most beginners think of the lob as a desperation shot. In reality, it can reset a difficult rally or surprise opponents who are crowding the kitchen.
Lesson: Learn both the defensive lobs and offensive lobs to become a more complete player.
7. Placement Trumps Power.
Hard shots look impressive. Well-placed shots win points.
Lesson: Learn to aim first. Once you can consistently hit your targets, then add power.
Photo Courtesy: House of Pickleball in Leland, NC.
8. Court Position Matters.
Being in the right place makes every shot easier. Understanding who covers the line, who takes the middle, and how positioning changes based on where the ball is hit will improve your results immediately.
Lesson: Forget the old myth that "the forehand always takes the middle." Court position—not handedness—determines responsibility.
9. Never Argue an Opponent's Line Call.
Recreational pickleball is about competition, friendship, and fun. If your opponent calls a ball out, accept it and move on—even if you disagree.
Lesson: No one gets a trophy after rec play. Be known for your sportsmanship, not your arguments.
10. Don't Get Upset When You Hit the Right Shot Poorly. Get Upset When You Choose the Wrong Shot.
No player executes every shot perfectly. The important question isn't, "Did I miss?" It's, "Did I make the correct shot decision?"
Lesson: Be your own coach, not your own critic. Good decisions lead to long-term improvement.
Photo Courtesy: House of Pickleball in Leland, NC.
11. Always Smile and Encourage Others.
Pickleball has exploded because it's fun and welcoming. Help keep it that way. Play with beginners. Celebrate good shots—yours and theirs. Be the player people hope is on their court.
Lesson: Life is short. Pickleball is fun. Spread both joy and kindness wherever you play.
Final Thought - Go Play!
Hopefully you realize that these are not just tips for beginners. They're principles that can guide players at every level of the game. The more closely you follow my 11, the faster you'll improve—and the more fun you'll have doing it.
I ask my fellow coaches to teach these principles every day because great pickleball isn't just about strokes and strategy. It's about making smart decisions, playing with purpose, and helping grow the game, one player at a time. So come join us at the House of Pickleball in Leland and put these principles into practice. Schedule a beginner's lesson or join us for tournaments and other pickleball events throughout the year.