Pickleball is a fast-paced, exciting sport that is easy to learn but challenging to master. While it may seem simple at first, many players—both beginners and experienced ones—often make mistakes that cost them points or even games. These mistakes are called faults, and understanding them is key to improving your performance and keeping rallies going.
If you’ve ever been frustrated by unforced errors or lost points due to a simple mistake, this guide is for you! We’ll break down the most common faults in pickleball and, more importantly, how to avoid them so you can stay competitive and confident on the court.
What is a Fault in Pickleball?
A fault in pickleball is any rule violation that results in a dead ball and a point for your opponent (if they’re serving) or a loss of serve (if you’re serving).
Faults can occur for various reasons, including improper serves, stepping in the kitchen at the wrong time, hitting the ball out of bounds, and even failing to follow the double bounce rule.
Let’s dive into the most common pickleball faults and how to fix them.
1. Serving Faults
Serving faults are one of the most frequent mistakes players make. Since every rally starts with a serve, avoiding these faults is crucial for keeping the game in your favor.
Common Serving Faults:
❌ Hitting the ball above waist level
❌ Not keeping the paddle below the wrist during contact
❌ Serving out of bounds
❌ Stepping on or over the baseline
❌ Serving to the wrong service box
❌ Failing to follow the two-bounce rule
How to Avoid Serving Faults:
✅ Follow the underhand serve rule – Your paddle must be below your wrist and strike the ball below your waist.
✅ Keep one foot behind the baseline – Don’t step into the court before hitting the ball.
✅ Aim for consistency over power – A well-placed serve is better than a hard one that goes out of bounds.
✅ Practice deep serves – Serving deep keeps your opponent from attacking early.
📌 Pro Tip: If you struggle with a traditional serve, try a drop serve—it allows you to bounce the ball before hitting, making it easier to control.
2. Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone) Faults
The kitchen, also called the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ), is a 7-foot area on both sides of the net where you cannot volley the ball (hit it before it bounces).
Common Kitchen Faults:
❌ Volleying while standing in the kitchen
❌ Letting your momentum carry you into the kitchen after a volley
❌ Touching the kitchen line or stepping inside while hitting a volley
How to Avoid Kitchen Faults:
✅ Stay behind the kitchen line when volleying – If you plan to attack, make sure your feet don’t touch the NVZ.
✅ Be mindful of momentum – If you step into the kitchen after a volley, it’s a fault—even if the ball is already dead!
✅ Use dinks effectively – If you’re near the kitchen, focus on soft, controlled shots instead of power hits.
📌 Pro Tip: If you want to dominate at the net, learn how to reset the ball with dinks and drop shots rather than smashing volleys.
3. Double Bounce Rule Violations
The double bounce rule (also known as the two-bounce rule) states that the ball must bounce once on each side before being volleyed.
Many beginners forget this rule and rush to hit the ball in the air after a serve or return.
Common Double Bounce Faults:
❌ Volleying the ball too soon after the serve
❌ Returning the ball before it bounces
How to Avoid Double Bounce Faults:
✅ Let the serve bounce before returning it.
✅ Let the return of serve bounce before hitting it in the air.
✅ Stay patient and wait for the right moment to attack.
📌 Pro Tip: The double bounce rule is a built-in equalizer—it prevents aggressive net play right away and encourages more strategic rallies!
4. Hitting the Ball Out of Bounds
This may seem obvious, but hitting the ball out of bounds is one of the most common faults in pickleball. Players often get too aggressive with their shots and don’t control their placement.
Common Out-of-Bounds Faults:
❌ Overhitting a drive or smash
❌ Misjudging the sideline or baseline
❌ Not adjusting for wind or court conditions
How to Avoid Out-of-Bounds Faults:
✅ Aim for the middle of the court instead of the sidelines if you’re struggling with accuracy.
✅ Use more topspin – This helps keep the ball in play while adding control.
✅ Don’t rush your shots – A well-placed shot is better than a fast one that flies out.
📌 Pro Tip: When in doubt, hit higher and softer—forcing your opponent into a tough shot is often better than trying to blast a winner.
5. Foot Faults
Foot faults happen when players step over the baseline while serving or step into the kitchen during a volley.
Common Foot Faults:
❌ Stepping on the baseline while serving
❌ Touching the kitchen while volleying
❌ Stepping out of bounds without realizing it
How to Avoid Foot Faults:
✅ Watch your foot placement when serving – Always stay behind the baseline until you’ve made contact with the ball.
✅ Be aware of the kitchen line – Keep both feet out of the NVZ when volleying.
✅ Use proper footwork – Good movement keeps you balanced and within the court’s boundaries.
📌 Pro Tip: Watching your shadow can help you gauge if you're stepping too close to the lines.
6. Hitting the Ball Into the Net
Nobody likes net errors, but they happen often—especially when players rush or don’t adjust for height and spin.
Common Net Faults:
❌ Hitting the ball too low on a drive
❌ Mishitting dinks into the net
❌ Not adjusting for spin or height
How to Avoid Net Faults:
✅ Use a smooth follow-through – Rushing a shot often causes net errors.
✅ Aim slightly higher than the net to ensure clearance.
✅ Adjust for spin – If your opponent is using heavy spin, adjust your paddle angle.
📌 Pro Tip: Control over power wins more rallies—focus on good shot placement rather than hitting as hard as possible.
Stay Cool and Comfortable on the Court
Pickleball is an intense game, and avoiding faults requires focus and endurance. The right pickleball gear can help you stay cool and comfortable during long matches.
👕 Moisture-Wicking Pickleball T-Shirts – A 50/50 DryBlend Pickleball t-shirt keeps you dry, while the 100% Polyester Mesh Pickleball t-shirt offers even more breathability.
🥤 Pickleball Tumblers – Stay hydrated with a pickleball-themed tumbler, perfect for keeping your drinks cold while you play.
Shop now at Big Green Pickle and get ready to level up your game!
Final Thoughts
Faults in pickleball happen to everyone, but with practice, you can minimize them and become a more consistent, confident player.
🏓 Master your serve to avoid easy faults.
🏓 Stay aware of the kitchen line and foot placement.
🏓 Let the ball bounce when required to follow the rules.
🏓 Control your shots to avoid hitting out or into the net.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be making fewer mistakes and winning more points in no time!
